UK Folk Festivals - Coming Soon

The UK's biggest free festival.

Across a swathe of indoor and outdoor venues in public spaces around Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, our much-loved event is now widely recognised as the largest free folk festival in the country.
Two ticketed concerts, the rest is free.

A weekend of family fun set in a beautiful location on the the western edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, 16 miles east of Kendal in the south east corner of Cumbria.

A mixture of music genres, expect over 25 mainly Acoustic Acts covering Folk, Blues, Country, Bluegrass, Jazz & all points in between on 2 stages.

Wonder if free includes the beer...

A weekend event showcasing 15 to 20 local and independent music's best bands. Our goal is to create a reasonably priced, small summer music festival that provides an overwhelmingly positive, comfortable and fun, family experience for both attendees and musicians in a beautiful countryside setting for around 500 people. We also aim to support local young musicians by providing a stage for them.

Eliza Carthy says, “It’s my mam’s 80th birthday next year, so we decided to move Normafest into the summer, next to a castle, and onto the back of a massive animatronic elephant. It’s gonna be a party and a half …”

Normafest is a celebration of all things to do with folk music legend Norma Waterson MBE bringing together the woman herself in exclusive live performance alongside friends, family and special guests. Norma , who resides in Robin Hoods Bay, received a lifetime Achievement Award from Radio 2 Folk Awards and is widely recognised as one of the most important figures in English Folk Music since the folk revival of the 1960s.

The main events are on the Saturday. These will consist of a day of dance in the City Centre, a day of music with free showcase performances in local pubs and other venues, sessions and singarounds and a festival concert in the Maltings Arts Theatre.

Music-lovers can look forward to a great day out this summer, as the 5th Bury St Edmunds Folk Festival once again brings its own brand of magic to the town.
The one-day event will be on Saturday 30th June in the walled garden at Nowton Park. With craft stalls, children's activities, music workshops, hot food and a bar with local real ales, this promises to be a wonderful day for the whole family.
The festival is organised by Bury Folk Collective, a not-for-profit group which promotes a diverse range of excellent local folk acts at events throughout the year.

As well as the main stage acts, there will be an Acoustic Tent with beginners' music workshops, informal sessions and a competition for newcomers to folk performance. This is a great space to try making music yourself in a relaxed and friendly way.

Full disabled access to site, reserved viewing area and toilet facilities

A small event, new to our lists.
Top names, beer festival and great food.

New website now live.
Note how inexpensive this one is.

With four outdoor music stages, two ceilidh dances and over twenty teams of morris dancers in the streets overlooking Poole's lovely Harbour.

With colourful displays of dance and outdoor stages for concerts and ceilidh and lovely views across the stunning harbour.

Seize this opportunity to become immersed in all aspects of traditional music for Irish harp. Develop skills and repertoire from ancient harpers' tunes to songs and slow airs to jigs and reels.

A highlight of An Chuirt Chruitireachta is our popular evening public concert series. Featuring world-renowned harpers from Ireland and further afield, this series is a major annual showcase celebrating Irish harping.

Part of a seven day music festival, with Saturday being the folk day.
Rated as one of the top three UK free summer events.

Each year since 1947, over 4,000 performers from across the globe head to the beautiful little Welsh town to take part in a unique event combining competition, performance, and international peace and friendship. Around 25 different competitions celebrate song, music and dance, climaxing with the prestigious 'Choir of the World' where winning choirs compete for the Pavarotti Trophy.
Traditional folk singing and dancing from across the globe

The New Forest Folk Festival is the small festival with the big names. Located to the north of The New Forest National Park near Southampton it's an ideal venue for campers with it's riverside campsite and unspoilt farm setting. The site opens Thursday lunchtime to allow travel and a chance to relax for the afternoon before the music begins. Additional attractions include local trade and craftsfolk, and of course local ale.

An acoustic festival for indie and contemporary music.
Shortlisted for Best Independent Festival 2015. Best Small Festival.

Established festival in Yorkshire, popular with many people. Craft fair, sessions, and award winning headline acts.
Several local venues.

Lots of big names.

Come along and join in the fun!

Cornbury is eccentric, charming and irresistible - a homespun melting pot, with a variety of music styles to be heard.
An eclectic mix of music across 4 stages, the hugely popular Absolute Radio Comedy Tent, the brilliant Festival of Words hosted by QI and Unbound, a fantastic children's area with a complete programme of workshops.

Bringing together a star studded group of acts who have graced the stage at individual concerts for two days of quality music.

Real Music, Real Ale, Real Field.
Taking place in the heart of Norfolk near to the village of West Acre, the "Folk in a Field Festival" brings together a diverse mix of performers from the acoustic, folk and roots music scene. The rural setting of the festival, surrounded by woodland, contributes to a real get away from it all vibe in which to enjoy some great music, take in interesting craft demonstrations, craft stalls or sample local food.

A general arts festival, with a variety of types of events, including some folk music.

(There's often a separate Folk Festival in February.)

Perched on top of the beautiful Yorkshire Wolds, Set in the grounds of the Wold Top Brewery.. Moonbeams Festival is one of the country's best kept secrets!

The festival provides the perfect weekend away to enjoy world class folk music and award winning ales in the most beautiful surroundings!

They also run an event in March.

The winter event can sell out quickly, so act fast if you are interested.

50th Anniversary !

Join the many friends who will celebrate our anniversary with us. Always a g reat atmosphere. S pecial guests include The Occasionals, The Border Directors, The Spiers Family. Enjoy dances concerts, competitions, hosted singing room, outdoor stage, sessions. Try a workshop with The Border Directors (border songs and tunes), Ailsa Mackenzie (harp/dulcimer), Pete Shepheard (ballads) or Kevin Tilbury (bellows pipes).

As our website is being updated there are some details if you want to check on https://www.visitnewcastleton.com/listing/newcastleton-music-festival/

Many Sandwich Pubs will put on Folk music throughout the weekend, there will be street music and dancing.

The Pub events will be free to enter with main events at St. Mary's Arts Centre ticketed, see their website for details.

A free outdoor concert and Saturday and Sunday

Festival on the island.
No cars, remember.

On festival weekend, visitors and musicians mingle with local people to treble Sark’s population in celebration of traditional and contemporary folk music. In fields, pubs, hotels and cafés, the island is alive with singing, playing and dancing.

At the festival itself, the music combines with breath-taking sea views, seafood fresh from the water and delicious Channel Island beer and cider to create a truly wonderful, unique event.

This event sold out last year by November!

Roots music from both sides of the Atlantic - Americana Music

"One of the friendliest, most sincere festivals in England... fine music, great fun, delightful people and an idyllic rural setting" said The Telegraph

A taste of Irish traditional music, arts and culture.

Traidphicnic is a festival of traditional music, arts and culture, and would like to welcome everyone from all over the world to Spiddal.

This one is a bit different!

Festival of the big drum groups that play Taiko! Spectacular to watch is not the word!

This exciting event is the biggest annual gathering of taiko players in Europe, offering the opportunity for taiko players of all ages and abilities to perform, learn, and share experiences. Groups come from all over the UK and abroad to inspire and be inspired by the energy, joy, and talent of the UK taiko community.

The site url may change to https://kagemusha.com/events/uk-taiko-festival/13th-uk-taiko-festival/

At Devonshire Road Nature Reserve in Lewisham, South-East London. A day full of Country, Folk, Americana, Blues, and Irish music in South London's hidden natural gem. Devonshire Road Nature Reserve is 6 acres of woodland and wildflower meadows in the heart of south-east London. Stretch out on the grass and enjoy the relaxed family atmosphere of this unique local event. Superb freshly prepared food, and cask Ales from the East London Brewing Company. Now in it’s 9th year, the acclaimed and unique Festival in the Forest has become one of the most popular events in the local calendar.

As it's a Facebook page, you have to click here to view their page.

A new festival in 2016, it's back for the fourth time.

Spend a chilled-out day enjoying the nation's favourite folk artists in the beautiful Hertfordshire countryside.

This is a one-day event with 4 separate venues including free events on the village green. Main stage has 3 ticketed concerts and there are workshops and a continuous concert in the 13th century church.

A major traditional Irish music, song and dance event held annually in Miltown Malbay, County Clare, Ireland.

With instrument and dance classes, lectures, workshops, recitals and céilithe all through the week.

10th Birthday.

An annual music and ale festival held in the picturesque village of Worrall on the outskirts of Sheffield. With beautiful views of the Peak District Worrall is the ideal location for this celebration of live music, good food and fine local ales.

It is also usually one of the least expensive paid events.

Bromsgrove is so much more than a series of concerts with headline artists. Club singers and budding artists are encouraged to add to the Bromsgrove Experience with singarounds, open mics, and the like including, of course, the legendary sessions in the pub bar....then there is the Ukulele Workshop (BUMS) and the Festival Choir (BOTOMS)

Bromsgrove Folk Festival has been described as small and friendly, bijou even, but it is so much more than that......it is enormous in heart and aspiration. We have a pub for sessions (and beer of course), a large camping field (open from 2.00pm on Thursday), a 350 capacity Main Marquee for "up close and personal" concerts, a MiniMarquee (seating about 125) for smaller concerts, singarounds, etc., and excellent toilet facilities.

From small beginnings in 2013 the Folk on the Farm festival has quickly established itself as one of the highlights of the folk festival calendar, attracting hundreds each year and featuring some of the best folk artists from around the UK.

Includes Quality Real Ale (from The Great Orme Brewery Company), Festival Food, Stalls, Fringe Festival in Cafe, Singarounds & Sessions.

Folk on the Lawn, in various guises, as a modest little event, has been running for some years now. It is, perhaps, a little unusual in that it has no budget whatsoever and relies on the good will of those involved - artists, staff, the Abbey Mill Centre, the good folk of Tintern and various other benefactors and supporters, who lend the festival space, equipment, time and, not least, artistic prowess.

Main stage, open mike, workshops, jamming and a slow jam.

Now in its fourth year, and like all new festivals needs good support to be a success, so if you're free, why not pay them a visit. Prices are reasonable, aren't they.

Continuing our occasional festival that's not quite folk policy. (But it got blues...)
Surrounded by the beautiful Yorkshire Wolds, the Festival is set in the award winning grounds and Great Hall of this Elizabethan stately home.
Could this be the most breathtaking place to spend a weekend, soaking up the UK's hottest jazz and blues acts?

Something just a bit different.

An explosion of bands and performers combining brass with folk, opera, dance and spectacular outdoor theatre descends on County Durham to fill some stunning venues and City streets with music and fantastic visual effects. With new, cutting edge collaborations, digital trails and established and emerging bands trumping brass in every genre imaginable, it's a feast of international cultures and sounds.

With its beautiful cathedral towering majestically above the surrounding countryside, the City of Ely lies in the heart of the Cambridgeshire Fens, famed for spectacular sunsets and the vast open sky. What better location for a weekend of the best in folk music and dance?

The Folk Festival is based on a single site which includes marquees, camping facilities, food stalls, trade stands, real-ale bar, real toilets, showers, children's entertainment.

Doesn't like our pop-up. Right click and select new tab

The event is spread over many days and different locations.

Taking place in venues mostly in the Sleat peninsula at the southern end of the Island, the Skye Festival or Feis an Eilein is a celebration of island culture and performing arts with a strong focus on Scottish traditional music, all spiced up with Jazz, Theatre, and lots, lots more.

Organised by SEALL, the festival hosts around 30 top quality events in music and innovative theatre, with a community-led fringe programme of house concerts, charity cafes, environmental days, food and drink, art exhibitions and ceilidhs.

"1st Birthday!
Furness Tradition is a folk-arts development group based in the Furness market town of Ulverston on the edge of the Lake District in north-west England. The group was initiated by volunteers to celebrate, encourage and make familiar the musical inheritance of the Furness and South Lakeland area of South Cumbria.

A family run festival in two towns separated by a river.

This is it's sixth year of existance.
The title says it all.

A friendly festival held in the idyllic setting of our Village Green high on the beautiful Mendip Hills AONB near Wells in Somerset. Now in its 24th year this festival has a reputation for exciting new folk. In the past we have had Kan, Treacherous Orchestra, and Flook. Some names booked already include the Will Pound Band and
Nizlopi. The weekend also provides great music, and dance, workshops, yoga sessions, club tent, an excellent craft and traders market, guided archaeology walks, a full programme of children's entertainment and much more

Deep in the heart of Wales, Rudry, population 1000, is the Rudry Music Festival. Two days of originalmusic and spoken word, for all ages.Features contemporary, alternative and traditional music artists, with food and real ale.

Family freindly

The small NE Coastal Town of Stonehaven comes alive with a Weekend of Music and song - Concerts in the Town Hall plus workshops, Ceilidh, sessions, late night concerts, free afternoon concerts, Family show, Aqua ceilidh, World paper and Comb Championships, Tradition Bearers Concert and more all around the Town.

Think picture-perfect white sands. World-famous surf. Deserted roads lined with lush greenery and wild flowers. Not forgetting more sunshine than practically anywhere else in the UK. It's little wonder that the tiny Hebridean island of Tiree is nicknamed the Hawaii of the North.

Add to this three separate campsites - the main campsite, family campsite and campervan area - and the now famous Community Village with its many stalls and events, and TMF guarantees you an authentic flavour of Tiree. Which, in a nutshell, is the whole idea behind the festival.

In the streets and in venues all around the town the best of local performers bring you folk, jazz, blues and world music, colourful dance displays and children's entertainment.

The Beggars Fair has been running since 1993 and is living up to its aims of showcasing local talent in a friendly environment. From big bands on the Cornmarket stage to intimate acoustic music in tranquil gardens, cheerful pub sessions and spellbinding storytelling, the day has a great atmosphere that keeps bringing people (and performers!) back year after year.

A large community festival spread over ten days. Not quite a festival, but several musical events.

Music, exhibitions, dancing, sessions.

Several events each day.
Event tickets are very affordable!

Now in its fourth year, Folk On The Dock celebrates the role that Liverpool's waterways have played in exporting and importing music around the world. A mix of free and ticketed events, the main Dock Stage is free to watch and is hosted by Janice Long. Around 200 artists perform on 10 different stages and Folk On The Dock also incorporates The Liverpool Shanty Festival, where performers sing on boats and stages around the water's edge as well as in the Merseyside Maritime Museum.

Website not yet fully updated on our last visit.

An annual festival celebrating all things nautical in the historic Yorkshire seaport of Whitby - One of Britain's premier maritime heritage sites.

A packed music programme of sea songs, shanties and folk music with a salty flavour! So far, our diverse Festival has included the cream of the folk, roots, sea music and the shanty world including local, national and overseas artists from Senegal, Sicily, Canada, Eire, Luxembourg, Germany, Holland, France and the USA. Come for the Weekend, a day or for our Grand Maritime Gala Concert.

Competitions, concerts, workshops, street entertainment, ceili, sessions, singing.
What do you expect? It's Ireland.

An abundance of music, song and dance at the many impromptu sessions as well as dancing venues around the town.

Includes a wide selection of outdoor and indoor concerts, workshops, competitions, and street sessions.

Supports a local children's charity - Willow Foundation. They work to provide special days out for seriously ill young people.

Fairground Side Stalls :: Craft Tent :: Family Friendly atmosphere with Children's Activities :: Music Stalls :: Recycled Gifts :: Delicious Food :: Real Ale bar

Many big names come to this one day event.

Fiddle Frenzy is Shetland Arts’ annual celebration of the Shetland fiddle tradition. The week of events runs from Sunday to Sunday, during the first week in August each year, centered on workshops teaching the distinctive tunes and technique of the Shetland fiddle style. An opportunity to learn the secrets of Shetland Fiddle from a range of experienced tutors, explore the thriving musical traditions of our unique and beautiful islands, or simply be part of our Festival Week which is packed with a range of Frenzy Fringe options and Evening Concerts.

Summer School of Traditional Irish Music, Song & Dance. Our programme includes a broad range of classes, workshops, interactive talks and masterclasses as well as nightly ceilis, concerts and informal music sessions.

Yn Chruinnaght Celtic Gathering.

Based in Peel, Yn Chruinnaght Celtic Gathering is a celebration of Manx
culture and the relationship between the Isle of Man and the other five
Celtic countries (Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Cornwall and Brittany).

Musicians, singers and dancers!! Concerts, ceilis, sessions, free events and workshops.

As in previous years we are posting this under Scotland and Ireland due to its Celtic theme, as we don't have a separate Isle of Man page.

Yn Chruinnaght Celtic Gathering.

Based in Peel, Yn Chruinnaght Celtic Gathering is a celebration of Manx
culture and the relationship between the Isle of Man and the other five
Celtic countries (Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Cornwall and Brittany).

Musicians, singers and dancers!! Concerts, ceilis, sessions, free events and workshops.

As in previous years we are posting this under Scotland and Ireland due to its Celtic theme, as we don't have a separate Isle of Man page.

This is not a single venue event so you cannot buy one ticket that covers all events. Please choose carefully to make sure you make the most of your festival experience.
There will be a weekend ticket covering the events in the main arena
Features Hebridean music galore

Set in the Victorian gardens in the beautiful landscapes of Cranborne Chase, an area of outstanding natural beauty nestled between Dorset and Wiltshire, Larmer Tree Festival is an intimate delight for festival-goers of all ages. With an eclectic line-up that in 2016 included the likes of Tom Odell, The Stranglers and Jamie Cullum, not to mention a star studded comedy stage and plethora of family activities and more, the festival's reputation as being one of the highlights of the summer is well-deserved.

10th Birthday!
A village festival. Local, national and international folk, blues and jazz artists, comedy too. Includes Young Musician's Showcase.

Good food, good drink, outstanding hospitality and lots and lots of smiling are more than encouraged, we just can't help ourselves. A festival for the whole family.

Festival of the Year in the British Blues Awards 2015 and 2016.

Since the formation of the Blues Committee in 2001 there has been two aims, to produce a festival to promote Blues Music in Upton Upon Severn, and to support the local community. To achieve these aims the Upton Blues Festival has always, and will always be free from any admission charge.

What more can you want than the blues for free? 60 or 70 bands perhaps?

A not for profit organisation supporting the Devon Air Ambulance Trust and Water Aid. In its 13th year.

This is a mixed genre festival, with a folk element too.

It's back for the second time!
All genres of music but have a particular passion for Folk Rock, Folk, Roots and Acoustic music, which is the main genre of the Acts booked, but Folk as you may not expect!

Based in beautiful Kent country, but just 5 minutes from J5 of the M2, Chickstock Festival is buildings on last years 'magical' festival of folk, roots and acoustic music, with even more bands booked for this year!

For nearly half a century the Guiting Music Festival has been a highlight of the Cotswolds summer calendar, bringing an exciting variety of highly talented performances of Classical, Jazz, Blues and Folk music by artists from around the world. In that time it has built up a strong band of very loyal supporters.

Check through their programme to see what parts you like.

Mixture of various media, incliding folk music, celebrating its 20th anniversary. With individual event tickets, you can choose your favourite artists to suit your taste in music and entertainment.

The Fringe is a not-for-profit organisation run entirely by volunteers.

As well as attracting visitors from all over the UK, the Fringe continues to grow its local following and is achieving its aim to become 'the festival for the town in the town' - thanks to everyone in our audience.

The website is not fully updated yet, but the date has been announced.

A small, friendly, community based music festival set in the heart of Northumberland in Rothbury in the beautiful Coquet Valley. Over the last three decades Rothbury Festival has established a unique atmosphere that has drawn musicians and singers from throughout the country and beyond to spend a weekend sharing music and experiencing Northumbrian traditions.

A well-established, intimate and family friendly event in a beautiful rural setting, held in large marquees on a greenfield site in the picturesque hamlet of Stainsby.

Great folk and world music in traditional marquees, crafts stalls, childrens entertainment, music workshops of every kind, storytelling, a singers competition and walkabout events throughout the weekend with camping thrown in.

Site for 2019 under construction at our last visit.

Ah, it's been updated now. Line is getting larger all the time.

New for 2019.

Music is a universal language understood by all people but folk music in particular has defined cultures throughout history and continues to do so today. It is sewn into the very fabric of our society, inseparable from our cultural identity.

The Claremorris Folk Festival will be a 2 day celebration of the rich traditions that define this intimate genre as it continues to evolve across generations.

We hope to see you there!

A bit unusual for a folk music site - this is a folk dance event. With quite a variety of dance styles from a large number of locations and countries. I know some of you like this sirt of thing, so it's here.

Site not fully updated yet, but things are progressing.

Also know as the Blaenavon Dance Festival.

Every July Drumshanbo plays host to the award winning Joe Mooney Summer School, a week long festival of traditional Irish music, song and dance named after the man who did so much to promote the cause of Leitrim and his beloved town. The committee continue to emulate his high ideals, endeavouring to promote Leitrim's heritage of traditional music while handing on the best traditions of the past to future generations.

It began as a one day event, progressed to a weekend one and now extends to eight days and seven nights of music, culture and craic. With up to 200 events the festival caters for music fanatics, families who wish to enjoy a safe, child focused festival, and those who come just to soak up the scenery, the friendliness and the free outdoor music.

Based in the scenic village of Rostrevor. There will be free outdoor ceilis, an open air stage, art exhibitions, children's entertainment and even a literary pub crawl, with the emphasis on 'literary' rather than 'crawling'!

All musical tastes are catered for (folk, blues, country, classical).

This is a fiestival with a bit of everything. It's a literary festival with exhibitions, workshops, eating and drinking, science, music (which is why I am listing it), science, talks and lots more.

I suggest you take a look and see if there are things that you like.

Singers and musicians, street entertainers and Morris dancers - it seems that anybody and everybody who enjoys folk music heads for Warwick in July each year.

Since its humble beginnings in 1979, the annual Warwick Folk Festival has developed into one of the most highly regarded folk events on the national and international scene, attracting fans from all over Britain and as far afield as the USA and Australia

THE World Music event.
International music resonates throughout the grounds, bounces off trees in the Arboretum, whirls through the green arena and dashes across acres of beautiful grass land which becomes the camping grounds during the last weekend in July. It is truly a unique event and we suggest you come along and experience the beauty for yourself.

Now in its fifth successful year and attracting top quality acts from across the world.

The Festival is set in the secluded grounds of Victoria School with a main stage within a natural amphitheatre, a woodland backdrop and the stunning ‘Claremont’ a Victorian former convent in the foreground.

After a successful second event last year, it's back again!

This is a new festival, and with so many festivals disappearing, you should make the effort to support any new event.

72 acts booked. 24 morris related sides, workshops, music sessions, headline gigs, ceilidhs and barn dances, performance and story telling, artisans, a childrens area and loads more.

A newish three day festival of music, food and fun that is going from strength to strength. This accessible and hugely friendly family festival all takes places a mere thirty-five miles as the crow flies from Glasgow.
Lots of great bands.
Plus a great variety of foods for you to try.

Now in it's third year, EDF is working in conjunction with charitable and educational bodies to identify emerging talent on the island and to give them a platform to perform. There will also be opportunities to learn about digital media, the Gaelic language and to listen to local and visiting musicians.

EDF is about a lot more than just the music. We will also be showcasing "Made in the Hebrides" products.

At the end of July, the playing fields on East Street in the Moray town of Fochabers will be home to the 23rd annual Speyfest, three days of the best in traditional and contemporary Celtic music.

Concerts, Ceilidhs and Stomps. Free to enter Craft Fair and Festival Clubs. Some of the biggest names from the world of traditional and contemporary Celtic music.

The Festival is a unique celebration, bringing together outstanding traditional singers from Scotland, England, and Ireland. The event is especially for those who like to hear, enjoy, and join in unaccompanied traditional singing. Essentially informal, friendly and non-competitive, it will be just the place to encourage the young and less experienced as well as the old hands. The weekend includes ceilidhs featuring the guest singers, singarounds for everyone who can join in, workshops, craft demonstrations and a talk.

Mixed genre event with something for everyone.

Attracting visitors from all over the world, it is proud to be considered one of the longest running, largest and best free volunteer organised festivals in Europe.

Music is the very essence of Monmouth Festival. We take great delight in showcasing an eclectic mix of iconic legends, local artists and up and coming young talent, dance, classical, country, folk, jazz, pop, rock n roll, ska, world music and so much more. Our aim is to enable everyone to enjoy a live music performance whether it is in the open air, in a church or pub; whether it is an old favourite, new or local talent, there is something to please everyone.