Folk Music Festivals Where Many Events are Free
Many folk festivals are organised by ordinary people. And just like you or me, they enjoy the music. They don't primarily run their festival as a business opportunity. In fact many have decided to include some free events - or even entirely free festivals! Here we list those festivals. Some ask for donations and support local charities - if you go to one of these events, please, please donate!
Remember, we can't check every ticket price, unfortunately, as some are not listed until closer to the event, so we advise you to check the prices yourself. It's possible that only a few events are free at a festival and the database has reported them here on that basis.
Click on a festival name and it expands to reveal the full details (like the first one).
TradFest - 24th Jan 2024 - Dublin, Dublin
Dublin's biggest and best festival of Irish Music and Culture, the Temple Bar TradFest will be back for the 9th year. The festival will include headline concerts in Christ Church, City Hall and The Button Factory. Other highlights include over 200 free events, music trail, singers club, open session, two outdoor stages, the international Celtic Irish dance festival, master classes and showcases, gigs for kids, children's club, pipe bands, street performers and much more.
Now with films and possibly live streaming!
Location: Dublin
Date: Wednesday 24th January 2024 for 5 day(s)
Full Price: £0
Also available A mix of FREE and event tickets at 5 to 35 euros.
Contact for info: tickets@tradfest.com
Website: tradfest.com
County: Dublin
Country: Ireland
Gloucester Folk Trail - 16th Feb 2024 - Gloucester, Gloucestershire
We have many performances from many acts in 16 venues, as well as storytelling, arts & crafts, talks, morris dancing, open mics and folk music sessions!
Except it will mainly be streaming, apart from workshops.
More info to follow, they say.
POSSIBLE VIRTUAL extras
Location: Gloucester
Date: Friday 16th February 2024 for 3 day(s)
Full Price: £
Also available It's FREE
Contact for info:
Website: www.gloucesterfolktrail.com
County: Gloucestershire
Country: England
Sheffield Folk Sessions - 29th Mar 2024 - Sheffield, Yorkshire
Site not fully updated on our last visit.
Hopefully more details will be available soon.
Location: Sheffield
Date: Friday 29th March 2024 for 3 day(s)
Full Price: £
Also available Seems to be FREE!
Contact for info:
Website: www.sheffieldfolksessionsfestival.co.uk/
County: Yorkshire
Country: England
Mull Music Festival - 26th Apr 2024 - Tobermory, Isle of Mull, Argyl and Bute
Multiple venues, appears to be free.
Variety of events and music styles to enjoy over four days of fun in the Inner Hebrides.
A weekend of Scottish music featuring folk-rock bands, fiddle, accordion, dance and ceilidh bands.
The events aren't ticketted, and most are very crowded!
Location: Tobermory, Isle of Mull
Date: Friday 26th April 2024 for 4 day(s)
Full Price: £
Also available It's FREE, mainly.
Contact for info:
Website: mull.co/mull-music-festival
County: Argyl and Bute
Country: Scotland
Filey Folk Festival - 3rd May 2024 - Filey, Yorkshire
Filey Folk Festival is one of the mainstays of this North Yorkshire seaside town's musical year. Expect a broad range in styles of folk, blues, country and acoustic performers and bands, and a very warm welcome and a famously friendly atmosphere
Pub gigs run all weekend and admission is free for everyone.
Location: Filey
Date: Friday 3rd May 2024 for 3 day(s)
Full Price: £
Also available It's FREE! Mainly.
Contact for info:
Website: fileyfolkfestival.org.uk
County: Yorkshire
Country: England
Hastings Jack in the Green - 3rd May 2024 - Hastings, East Sussex
The Jack in the Green Festival is an annual event that takes place in various parts of the gorgeous seaside resort that is Hastings. It's a three day event and attracts thousands every year. This is a true British May Day celebration not to be missed. The four day event has been described as 'thee celebration of Morris dancing and traditional merriment, centering on the symbolic figure of Jack in the Green and culminating in a wild costumed parade - one of the most bizarre in Britain.' The long weekend event includes music of all genres from some of the best local and surrounding areas bands, sun, historic and social events, and is filled with family fun.
Location: Hastings
Date: Friday 3rd May 2024 for 4 day(s)
Full Price: £
Also available Multiple events, many are free.
Contact for info: hastingsjackinthegreen@gmail.com
Website: hastingstraditionaljackinthegreen.co.uk/
County: East Sussex
Country: England
Kilkenny Roots Festival - 3rd May 2024 - Kilkenny, County Kilkenny
By now a national institution and an international buzz-phrase among the Americana / Roots movement...Ireland's most compact and hospitable music festival, where virtually everything is low-key but high grade.
Mixture of genres. All forms of music under the Americana/Roots banner are well represented over the four days.
Over 80 shows, including 50 free events on the pub gig trail!
Location: Kilkenny
Date: Friday 3rd May 2024 for 4 day(s)
Full Price: £
Also available Individual event tickets, many FREE gigs
Contact for info: info@kilkennyroots.com
Website: www.kilkennyroots.com
County: County Kilkenny
Country: Ireland
Bradford on Avon Green Man Festival - 11th May 2024 - Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire
A vibrant, family-friendly community gathering featuring traditional dance, music, song, and folklore throughout the town centre on Saturday 11 May 2024. And the best part is, its free!
Witness over 40 dance groups, including 320 dancers and 100 musicians, featuring Morris dancing and diverse European styles.
Join the whimsical journey of our 10ft tall Jack in the Green and Jill in the Green, visiting 12 town centre venues with bands and fantasy beasts.
You’ll can also discover the kid's zone, artisan market, community hub, pagan arts and crafts.
Groove to a samba band, mummers' play, Folk Club stage, Wiltshire Music Centre stage, Blues @ The Shoes stage, live pub music, buskers and more!
Don’t just watch – participate – wear something green and join in the fun.
Location: Bradford on Avon
Date: Saturday 11th May 2024 for 1 day(s)
Full Price: £
Also available It's free!
Contact for info: boagmf@icloud.com
Website: boagreenmanfest.org/welcome/
County: Wiltshire
Country: England
Feile Binn Eadair - 24th May 2024 - Howth, Dublin
Formerly known as Howth Tradfest.
A mostly free Irish and traditional Music Festival in the picturesque fishing village of Howth, 25 minutes from the centre of Dublin. This vibrant festival promises to immerse attendees in the melodies and rhythms of both the past and present, creating an unforgettable experience for music enthusiasts of all ages.
(Note: we were sent a link to https://www.feilebinneadair.ie/ but that didn't work. However the link we give does work.)
Location: Howth
Date: Friday 24th May 2024 for 3 day(s)
Full Price: £
Also available 27 FREE gigs and sessions + some ticketed events
Contact for info: paul.byrne@optophonic.com
Website: www.feilebinneadair.com
County: Dublin
Country: Ireland
Fishguard Folk Festival - 24th May 2024 - Fishguard, Pembrokeshire
Fishguard's Folk Festival brings together its unique mix of local talent and well-known performers to provide four days of songs, tunes and dance. Most events are still free, and whether you want to play, sing, dance or just watch and listen, there is always a choice of things to do in throughout this fun-packed friendly festival. Add in the beauty of the location on the world famous Pembrokeshire coast and you have the perfect weekend.
Location: Fishguard
Date: Friday 24th May 2024 for 3 day(s)
Full Price: £
Also available TBA - It's mostly FREE, 4 ticketed events.
Contact for info: judy.whitehouse@gmail.com
Website: www.fishfolkfest.co.uk/
County: Pembrokeshire
Country: Wales
Wessex Folk Festival - 1st Jun 2024 - Weymouth Harbour, Dorset
Includes dance, sessions, celidh, workshops, and music, all set in the delightful surroundings of Weymouth's old harbour
With over 30 live stage performances throughout Saturday and Sunday this is without doubt not one to be missed!
Kicking off on Friday afternoon and evening with singalong folk music sessions in the harbourside pubs, the main festival lasts the whole of Saturday and Sunday with around 30 Morris sides dancing in the streets along the harbourside, fabulous trade stalls, eating, drinking, laughing singing and dancing all weekend long. When the harbour lights go on, the fun and music carries on in the harbourside pubs, way into the night. The challenge is to do the whole weekend and make it to the Survivors' Night on Sunday night at the Sailor's Return!
Location: Weymouth Harbour
Date: Saturday 1st June 2024 for 2 day(s)
Full Price: £
Also available It's FREE, mainly.
Contact for info: Info@wessexfolkfestival.com
Website: www.wessexfolkfestival.com/
County: Dorset
Country: England
Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival - 14th Jun 2024 - Falmouth, Cornwall
Has three main aims in life
To create an enjoyable event for all involved
To raise money for the RNLI
To preserve and promote the maritime heritage of Falmouth and Cornwall.
Probably the largest free nautical music and song festival in Europe!
Location: Falmouth
Date: Friday 14th June 2024 for 3 day(s)
Full Price: £
Also available It's Free
Contact for info:
Website: www.falmouthseashanty.co.uk
County: Cornwall
Country: England
Fastnet Maritime and Folk Festival - 14th Jun 2024 - Ballydehob, County Cork
An international festival based in the picturesque village of Ballydehob, West Cork, featuring maritime and other folk music.
Sea songs, shanties, dance, craft market, maritime food stalls, workshops, sea songwriting competition, busking, music in the pubs and main stage on Ballydehob pier. There will also be an Art Expo throughout the weekend.
Location: Ballydehob
Date: Friday 14th June 2024 for 3 day(s)
Full Price: £
Also available It's FREE, mainly. 20 euros for star concert.
Contact for info: dickmiles77@gmail.com
Website: www.fastnetmaritime.com/
County: County Cork
Country: Ireland
Middlewich FAB Festival - 15th Jun 2024 - Middlewich Field, Middlewich, Cheshire
Celebrating over 30 years of the Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival a fabulous weekend of folk & roots music.
Friday is Rock n Roll night as is Saturday.
But there is a folk theme as well, waiting to be updated at the present moment. And there is an official fringe as well.
Up to 15 venues host music and dance from lunchtime on Friday through to Sunday night. On the canal-side and in the town centre, artists from around the UK - and beyond.
Location: Middlewich Field, Middlewich
Date: Saturday 15th June 2024 for 3 day(s)
Full Price: £35
Also available Day tickets price is shown, some free events, some individual event tickets
Contact for info: events@middlewich.org.uk
Website: middlewichfabfest.com
County: Cheshire
Country: England
Oban International Shanty Festival - 21st Jun 2024 - Oban, Argyll and Bute
Various locations in Oban.
New to our lists, but website looks promising.
Prices available soon.
Location: Oban
Date: Friday 21st June 2024 for 3 day(s)
Full Price: £
Also available It's got FREE bits
Contact for info:
Website: www.obanshanty.org.uk
County: Argyll and Bute
Country: Scotland
Keynsham Music Festival - 1st Jul 2024 - Keynsham, Somerset
Part of a seven day music festival, with Saturday being the folk day.
Rated as one of the top three UK free summer events.
Back with a June date again.
Location: Keynsham
Date: Monday 1st July 2024 for 8 day(s)
Full Price: £
Also available It's FREE!
Contact for info: info@keynshamfest.co.uk
Website: www.keynshammusicfestival.co.uk/
County: Somerset
Country: England
Sandwich Folk and Ale Festival - 1st Jul 2024 - Sandwich, Kent
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
Location: Sandwich
Date: Monday 1st July 2024 for 7 day(s)
Full Price: £
Also available Mainly free or individual event tickets.
Contact for info: sandwichfolkfestival@hotmail.com
Website: www.sandwich-folk-and-ale.org
County: Kent
Country: England
Dalry Folk Festival - 12th Jul 2024 - Dalry, Ayrshire
A new event, back for its third year.
Takes place in Ayrshire, Scotland.
Location: Dalry
Date: Friday 12th July 2024 for 3 day(s)
Full Price: £
Also available Several free events, some ticketed
Contact for info: Use facebook
Website: www.facebook.com/DalryFolkClub/?locale=en_GB
County: Ayrshire
Country: Scotland
Beggars Fair - 13th Jul 2024 - Romsey, Hampshire
For the 30TH time!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.
Location: Romsey
Date: Saturday 13th July 2024 for 1 day(s)
Full Price: £
Also available It's FREE
Contact for info:
Website: www.beggarsfair.org.uk/
County: Hampshire
Country: England
Mitcheldean Festival - 19th Jul 2024 - Mitcheldean, Gloucestershire
A village-based festival in the Forest of Dean with concerts, Morris dancing, village fete, busking, poetry and storytelling, ceilidh dance, song writing competition, live comedy, and a folk walk on the Sunday. Happens every year, third Saturday in July.
Location: Mitcheldean
Date: Friday 19th July 2024 for 3 day(s)
Full Price: £
Also available It's FREE !
Contact for info: talktous@mitcheldeanfestival.fod.uk
Website: mitcheldeanfestival.fod.uk
County: Gloucestershire
Country: England
Bridport Folk Festival - 26th Jul 2024 - Bridport, Dorset
The festival supports several charities.
A fair number of morris related sides, workshops, music sessions, headline gigs, ceilidhs and barn dances, performance and story telling, artisans, a children's area and loads more are already booked.
Location: Bridport
Date: Friday 26th July 2024 for 3 day(s)
Full Price: £
Also available Outdoors - £3, workshops £5. Some ticketed events. It's FREE, mainly.
Contact for info: media@bridportfolkfestival.com
Website: bridportfolkfestival.com
County: Dorset
Country: England
Melton Folk Festival - 3rd Aug 2024 - Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire
A festival set in the ancient market town of Melton Mowbray. With Craft fair, local market, Morris Dancing, sing-arounds, music session, outdoor market stage and 13 venues collected around its atmospheric center. Three days of music and mayhem so if you fancy playing or just want to eat the pie - come to Melton Folk Festival.
Location: Melton Mowbray
Date: Saturday 3rd August 2024 for 2 day(s)
Full Price: £
Also available It's FREE !
Contact for info: meltonfolk@gmail.com
Website: meltonfolk.com/
County: Leicestershire
Country: England
Sidmouth Fringe Sessions - 3rd Aug 2024 - Salcombe Regis, Devon
This is a big fringe, over four evenings. Featuring a great line up, and it's all free!
All events in McBuzz's Barn.
The Fringe Sessions feature a mix of the most exciting emerging talent along with some established heavyweight favourites from across the UK and internationally. Entry is FREE to all music lovers but we have a donations bucket for the artists.
The music is an eclectic mix of many genres - and has included folk/roots, bluegrass, stomp, blues, acoustic, jazzfusion, world and indie rock/pop - plus everything in-between.
Location: Salcombe Regis
Date: Saturday 3rd August 2024 for 5 day(s)
Full Price: £
Also available It's FREE ! Donations will be accepted.
Contact for info: 01395 579564
Website: www.sidmouthfringe.co.uk/
County: Devon
Country: England
Howth Roots and Blues - 9th Aug 2024 - Howth, Dublin
The HowthRootsandBluesFestival is a free music festival in Howth showcasing the best in Irish roots and blues artists.
While many of the artists are blues based the festival caters for fans of Country, Rhythm and Blues, Bluegrass, Americanna and reggae. Basically anything rootsy!!
The festival will take place across 6 local venues.
Location: Howth
Date: Friday 9th August 2024 for 3 day(s)
Full Price: £
Also available It's FREE !
Contact for info: paul.byrne@optophonic.com
Website: www.howthrootsandblues.com
County: Dublin
Country: Ireland
Piping Live! - 10th Aug 2024 - Glasgow, Renfrewshire
A very focused festival, on piping.
Glasgow become the heart of the Piping world with events happening around the clock.
Lots of individual events spread over 7 days and 14 venues.
Location: Glasgow
Date: Saturday 10th August 2024 for 8 day(s)
Full Price: £
Also available Prices range from free to about Ł10
Contact for info: contact@pipinglive.co.uk
Website: pipinglive.co.uk
County: Renfrewshire
Country: Scotland
Scalby Folk Festival - 6th Sep 2024 - Nag's Head, Scalby, YO13 0PT, Yorkshire
A three day event centred on the Nag's Head pub.
You can also view updates on Facebook,
https://www.facebook.com/scalbyfolkfestival
Location: Nag's Head, Scalby, YO13 0PT
Date: Friday 6th September 2024 for 3 day(s)
Full Price: £
Also available It's FREE
Contact for info: kathrynbell869@gmail.com
Website: scalbyfair.org.uk
County: Yorkshire
Country: England
Clonakilty International Guitar Festival - 13th Sep 2024 - Clonakilty, County Cork
It's a festival about guitars - the clue's in the name. So fair bit of acoustic stuff.
A celebration of the guitar. It is not starch collared or stuffy nosed, from virtuosos.
The Festival is run by a small not for profit organisation of music lovers and we are very proud of the rich, relaxed, educational, exciting & artistic environment our festival creates in our beautiful seaside town.
For the duration of our festival our whole town is the stage with performances & events happening in all manner of venue from the local schools & library to the bars & butcher shops!
Location: Clonakilty
Date: Friday 13th September 2024 for 10 day(s)
Full Price: £
Also available Mainly free plus some individual event tickets. 10 - 25 euros
Contact for info: info@clonguitarfest.com
Website: clonguitarfest.com/
County: County Cork
Country: Ireland
Worcester Music Festival - 13th Sep 2024 - Worcester, WR1 2RS, Worcestershire
A mixed genre event, with a folk element for you to enjoy. More than 20 venues and 200 artists (!) to enjoy.
Worcester Music Festival are pleased to announce we will be working alongside Acorns Children's Hospice this year, with the money raised by the festival going towards Acorns' music therapy scheme.
Location: Worcester, WR1 2RS
Date: Friday 13th September 2024 for 3 day(s)
Full Price: £
Also available It's FREE !
Contact for info: info@worcestermusicfestival.co.uk
Website: www.worcestermusicfestival.co.uk/
County: Worcestershire
Country: England
Gobefest - 20th Sep 2024 - Cathedral Gardens, Manchester M4 3BG, Lancashire
NOTE THE NEW DATE !!!
Góbéfest, Manchester's original urban folk music and dance festival with strong Central and Eastern European leanings, is back.
Established in 2017, Góbéfest has its roots firmly in Transylvania and Hungary, but over the years has expanded its reach to cherry pick some of the finest performing artists from around the Carpathian Basin and beyond.
The weekend promises an expertly curated mix of bands and solo artists, folk dance troupes, choirs and more. Independent food and drink traders will be serving up favourites from around the Carpathian Basin, from giant pans of goulash, to the fried flat breads known as lángos and Transylvanian barbecued chimney cakes.
Alongside craft beer, there will also be a Hungarian wine stall and a palinka (Hungarian fruit brandy) bar. Free activities in the family tent include music and dance workshops, storytelling and crafts.
A Góbé is a friendly word for a 'crafty Székely'.
Location: Cathedral Gardens, Manchester M4 3BG
Date: Friday 20th September 2024 for 3 day(s)
Full Price: £35
Also available It's FREE on Sunday
Contact for info:
Website: gobefest.com
County: Lancashire
Country: England
Harwich International Sea Shanty Festival - 11th Oct 2024 - Harwich, Essex
A mixture of free open air entertainment, concerts, music sessions, classic boats, pub sessions and singarounds during the festival weekend. Events take place throughout the old town of Harwich at several local venues.
Location: Harwich
Date: Friday 11th October 2024 for 3 day(s)
Full Price: £
Also available Individual event tickets or FREE bits
Contact for info: info@harwichshantyfestival.co.uk
Website: www.harwichshantyfestival.co.uk/
County: Essex
Country: England
Lowender - 25th Oct 2024 - Redruth, TR15 1TA, Cornwall
Lowender, the festival that celebrates Cornish culture and its Celtic connections, is returning to Redruth, Wednesday 25th - Saturday 29th October 2023.
Expect Cornish music, dance, song and fun for all the family with a host of international Celtic performers from Brittany, the Isle of Man, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Music performances, dance sessions and workshops will be taking place in locations across Redruth Town Centre during the 4-day festival, whilst the main evening events will take to the stage at Redruth School.
Tickets are on sale now and kids go free!
This year will see Lowender, which has developed from the Lowender Peran festival, grow into a new organisation where connecting communities and championing Cornwall’s living traditions on a national and international scale is at the core of its values.
For over 40 years Lowender Peran developed an interCeltic festival, creating a powerful network of international friends, celebrating cultural exchange and helping to open Cornish culture to a wider audience.
Location: Redruth, TR15 1TA
Date: Friday 25th October 2024 for 3 day(s)
Full Price: £62
Also available And individual event tickets, some free events.
Contact for info: + 44 (0)7586 080623
Website: www.lowender.co.uk
County: Cornwall
Country: England
Sligo International Music Festival - 25th Oct 2024 - Sligo, County Sligo
Sligo Live Sessions is a national festival celebrating traditional, roots and acoustic music. Now in its eighth year, it has carved out a niche as one of the most relaxed, intimate and enjoyable music festivals in Ireland. Sligo Live.
100 events, many free, All Indoors. Intimate Concerts.Street Markets.Over 350 artists.Dynamic pub sessions. Cafe Culture & Sligo Live Showcase.
Location: Sligo
Date: Friday 25th October 2024 for 10 day(s)
Full Price: £0
Also available TBA Price in euros, many free events
Contact for info:
Website: sligolive.ie
County: County Sligo
Country: Ireland
TradFest - 22nd Jan 2025 - Dublin, Dublin
Dublin's biggest and best festival of Irish Music and Culture, the Temple Bar TradFest will be back for the 9th year. The festival will include headline concerts in Christ Church, City Hall and The Button Factory. Other highlights include over 200 free events, music trail, singers club, open session, two outdoor stages, the international Celtic Irish dance festival, master classes and showcases, gigs for kids, children's club, pipe bands, street performers and much more.
Now with films and possibly live streaming!
Location: Dublin
Date: Wednesday 22nd January 2025 for 5 day(s)
Full Price: £0
Also available A mix of FREE and event tickets at 5 to 35 euros.
Contact for info: tickets@tradfest.com
Website: tradfest.com
County: Dublin
Country: Ireland
Sheffield Folk Sessions - 18th Apr 2025 - Sheffield, Yorkshire
Site not fully updated on our last visit.
Hopefully more details will be available soon.
Location: Sheffield
Date: Friday 18th April 2025 for 4 day(s)
Full Price: £
Also available Seems to be FREE!
Contact for info:
Website: www.sheffieldfolksessionsfestival.co.uk/
County: Yorkshire
Country: England
Kilkenny Roots Festival - 2nd May 2025 - Kilkenny, County Kilkenny
By now a national institution and an international buzz-phrase among the Americana / Roots movement...Ireland's most compact and hospitable music festival, where virtually everything is low-key but high grade.
Mixture of genres. All forms of music under the Americana/Roots banner are well represented over the four days.
Over 80 shows, including 50 free events on the pub gig trail!
Location: Kilkenny
Date: Friday 2nd May 2025 for 4 day(s)
Full Price: £
Also available Individual event tickets, many FREE gigs
Contact for info: info@kilkennyroots.com
Website: www.kilkennyroots.com
County: County Kilkenny
Country: Ireland
Bradford on Avon Green Man Festival - 10th May 2025 - Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire
A vibrant, family-friendly community gathering featuring traditional dance, music, song, and folklore throughout the town centre on Saturday 11 May 2024. And the best part is, its free!
Witness over 40 dance groups, including 320 dancers and 100 musicians, featuring Morris dancing and diverse European styles.
Join the whimsical journey of our 10ft tall Jack in the Green and Jill in the Green, visiting 12 town centre venues with bands and fantasy beasts.
You'll can also discover the kid's zone, artisan market, community hub, pagan arts and crafts.
Groove to a samba band, mummers' play, Folk Club stage, Wiltshire Music Centre stage, Blues @ The Shoes stage, live pub music, buskers and more!
Don't just watch - participate - wear something green and join in the fun.
Location: Bradford on Avon
Date: Saturday 10th May 2025 for 1 day(s)
Full Price: £
Also available It's free!
Contact for info: boagmf@icloud.com
Website: boagreenmanfest.org/welcome/
County: Wiltshire
Country: England
Fishguard Folk Festival - 23rd May 2025 - Fishguard, Pembrokeshire
Fishguard's Folk Festival brings together its unique mix of local talent and well-known performers to provide four days of songs, tunes and dance. Most events are still free, and whether you want to play, sing, dance or just watch and listen, there is always a choice of things to do in throughout this fun-packed friendly festival. Add in the beauty of the location on the world famous Pembrokeshire coast and you have the perfect weekend.
Location: Fishguard
Date: Friday 23rd May 2025 for 4 day(s)
Full Price: £
Also available TBA - It's mostly FREE, 4 ticketed events.
Contact for info: judy.whitehouse@gmail.com
Website: www.fishfolkfest.co.uk/
County: Pembrokeshire
Country: Wales
Wessex Folk Festival - 31st May 2025 - Weymouth Harbour, Dorset
Includes dance, sessions, celidh, workshops, and music, all set in the delightful surroundings of Weymouth's old harbour
With over 30 live stage performances throughout Saturday and Sunday this is without doubt not one to be missed!
Kicking off on Friday afternoon and evening with singalong folk music sessions in the harbourside pubs, the main festival lasts the whole of Saturday and Sunday with around 30 Morris sides dancing in the streets along the harbourside, fabulous trade stalls, eating, drinking, laughing singing and dancing all weekend long. When the harbour lights go on, the fun and music carries on in the harbourside pubs, way into the night. The challenge is to do the whole weekend and make it to the Survivors' Night on Sunday night at the Sailor's Return!
Location: Weymouth Harbour
Date: Saturday 31st May 2025 for 2 day(s)
Full Price: £
Also available It's FREE, mainly.
Contact for info: Info@wessexfolkfestival.com
Website: www.wessexfolkfestival.com/
County: Dorset
Country: England
Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival - 13th Jun 2025 - Falmouth, Cornwall
Has three main aims in life
To create an enjoyable event for all involved
To raise money for the RNLI
To preserve and promote the maritime heritage of Falmouth and Cornwall.
Probably the largest free nautical music and song festival in Europe!
Location: Falmouth
Date: Friday 13th June 2025 for 3 day(s)
Full Price: £
Also available It's Free
Contact for info:
Website: www.falmouthseashanty.co.uk
County: Cornwall
Country: England
Middlewich FAB Festival - 13th Jun 2025 - Middlewich Field, Middlewich, Cheshire
Celebrating over 30 years of the Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival a fabulous weekend of folk & roots music.
Friday is Rock n Roll night as is Saturday.
But there is a folk theme as well, waiting to be updated at the present moment. And there is an official fringe as well.
Up to 15 venues host music and dance from lunchtime on Friday through to Sunday night. On the canal-side and in the town centre, artists from around the UK - and beyond.
Location: Middlewich Field, Middlewich
Date: Friday 13th June 2025 for 3 day(s)
Full Price: £35
Also available Day tickets price is shown, some free events, some individual event tickets
Contact for info: events@middlewich.org.uk
Website: middlewichfabfest.com
County: Cheshire
Country: England
Beggars Fair - 12th Jul 2025 - Romsey, Hampshire
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.
Location: Romsey
Date: Saturday 12th July 2025 for 1 day(s)
Full Price: £
Also available It's FREE
Contact for info:
Website: www.beggarsfair.org.uk/
County: Hampshire
Country: England
The festivals below are older ones which, at the time of our last check, had not yet updated their websites for 2024.
This helps you check up on festivals we haven't yet confirmed are on for 2024. If you see any that HAVE recently updated to this year, let us know (email is given on the Contact page). And if we've missed a festival completely, do tell us.
Hutton Rudby FolkFest - 26th May 2023 - Hutton Rudby, Yorkshire
A new one for us.
In 2023, the festival will be held at 4 venues across the idyllic village of Hutton Rudby on May 26-28. Finn Forster, Black Sheep Band, Counterfeit Celts and Keith Newby will be part of the line-up for this festival among many others. A craft fair will feature on the Saturday.
In addition to music acts, there will be a folk craft fair, several bars / pubs with food and music and a large family style event at our Cricket Club venue.
Location: Hutton Rudby
Date: Friday 26th May 2023 for 3 day(s)
Full Price: £
Also available It's FREE
Contact for info: hrfolkfest@gmail.com
Website: hrfolkfest.co.uk
County: Yorkshire
Country: England
Rochdale Folk Festival - 2nd Jun 2023 - Rochdale, Greater Manchester
Takes place in several locations in Rochdale. I couldn't find many details on the website, just the link above.
Parts of the site are still under development for 2023.
Location: Rochdale
Date: Friday 2nd June 2023 for 3 day(s)
Full Price: £
Also available It's FREE
Contact for info:
Website: rochdalefolkfestival.co.uk
County: Greater Manchester
Country: England
Barking Folk Festival - 3rd Jun 2023 - Barking Abbey Green, IG11 8AS , Greater London
A free family festival celebrating the best in English and World folk music and dance plus poetry, street theatre, art and family fun!
Location: Barking Abbey Green, IG11 8AS
Date: Saturday 3rd June 2023 for 1 day(s)
Full Price: £
Also available It's FREE!
Contact for info:
Website: www.lbbd.gov.uk/barking-folk-festival
County: Greater London
Country: England
Turvey Day of Folk - 17th Jun 2023 - Turvey, MK43 8EP, Bedfordshire
A day of folk dance, music and song for all the family in the riverside village of Turvey, Bedfordshire, with dance displays, music session, family ceilidh and evening concert. Come and enjoy the craic and sample the excellent food and beer on offer in the village.
Location: Turvey, MK43 8EP
Date: Saturday 17th June 2023 for 1 day(s)
Full Price: £26
Also available Some free parts too
Contact for info: turveyfolk@gmail.com
Website: turveyfolk.org.uk
County: Bedfordshire
Country: England
Leigh Folk Festival - 22nd Jun 2023 - Leigh on Sea, Essex
For the 31st time...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.
Location: Leigh on Sea
Date: Thursday 22nd June 2023 for 4 day(s)
Full Price: £
Also available It's FREE, mainly, with a few paid events.
Contact for info: info@leighfolkfestival.com
Website: www.leighfolkfestival.com
County: Essex
Country: England
Folk on the Quay - 24th Jun 2023 - Poole, Dorset
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.
Location: Poole
Date: Saturday 24th June 2023 for 1 day(s)
Full Price: £
Also available It's FREE !
Contact for info: info@folkonthequay.co.uk
Website: www.folkonthequay.co.uk/
County: Dorset
Country: England
Newark Traditions Festival - 21st Jul 2023 - Newark on Trent, Nottinghamshire
5th time for this event.
Features dancing, but the rest of the program was not available when last visited.
Several locations around the town.
Location: Newark on Trent
Date: Friday 21st July 2023 for 3 day(s)
Full Price: £
Also available All events FREE (except Saturday evening ceilidh: £5)
Contact for info: newarktraditions@gmail.com
Website: www.newarktraditions.org.uk
County: Nottinghamshire
Country: England
Denby Family Folk Day - 23rd Jul 2023 - Upper Denby, Nr Huddersfield HD8 8UE, Yorkshire
We have run an MND annual Folk fundraising concert for a number of years now.
The day consists of morris dancing, craft fair, sing around, tune session and an open-air concert at the back of the George Pub.
Go on, it's for charity - turn up, enjoy yourself and donate something to charity.
Location: Upper Denby, Nr Huddersfield HD8 8UE
Date: Sunday 23rd July 2023 for 1 day(s)
Full Price: £
Also available It's Free!
Contact for info: chris.dyson02@hotmail.co.uk
Website: www.facebook.com/Denby-Family-Folk-Day-106195825358074
County: Yorkshire
Country: England
Took place in September last year
Teign Maritine Shanty Festival - 8th Sep 2023 - Teignmouth TQ14 8XZ, Devon
Teignmouth and Shaldon will play host to at least 26 shanty groups performing in 15 venues and providing over 120 hours of "free to attend" shanty singing .
Raising funds for the RNLI, Rowcroft Hospice, Teign Heritage Centre and the Alice Cross Centre.
If you're into shanties, take a trip down to Devon. There's more to Devon life than just the Jurrasic coast.
Teignmouth and Shaldon will play host to at least 26 shanty groups performing in 15 venues and providing over 120 hours of "free to attend" shanty singing .
Location: Teignmouth TQ14 8XZ
Date: Friday 8th September 2023 for 3 day(s)
Full Price: £
Also available It's Free !
Contact for info: kevin.booker@talktalk.net
Website: www.teignshantyfestival.co.uk/
County: Devon
Country: England
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