UK Folk Festivals - Coming Soon

An Irish summer school, as you might have guessed. with some concerts.

The Bodhran Summerschool is arranged around a series of classes given by some of the world's best bodhran players and teachers, but also includes special workshops relating to the instrument itself, and traditional Irish music in general. Every evening, music sessions are held in the island's pubs, and students are welcome to bring their drum and join in. On two evenings, concerts are performed by two top-class bands.

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.

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.

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.

2026 marks the 19th Gate to Southwell Festival, taking place in early summer at our beautiful lakeside parkland home in Kirklington, Notts. Over 4 days, with 60+ acts on 3 main stages; with on-site camping and glamping, fantastic music and the most friendly atmosphere you'll find anywhere!

Fabulous rural setting near the stunning minster town of Southwell. An awesome line-up of folk, Americana, world, ska, punk, jazz, blues & more over 4 days. On-site camping theatre, spoken word, comedy, street food, cask ales, great traders, campfire sessions, kids’ events, ceilidhs, dogs welcome.

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

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

Back with a new domain name - looks like they forgot to renew the old one.
Not a lot of info on the website yet, however, apart from the list of performers.

Let's hope they continue to exist.

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

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 new festival in 2016, it's back for July yet again.

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.

Mixture of various media, incliding folk music, celebrating its 21st 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.

We had to click on the Tickets on sale banner to see the dates, etc.

54th Anniversary

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 ceilithe all through the week.

This is a roadshow, that occurs in several locations.

We've included a few of them, but if you want to see the whole list, remove the location in the url, and you go to the roadshow's own website.

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.

And some of the biggest stars from other music genres as well!

A new event, back for its Fifth year.

Takes place in Ayrshire, Scotland.

Site for 2026 not fully updated yet.

Coming from near and - very - far. Some with countless 'hits' or 'views' or 'followers' on various media platforms; some with few. Some with record company deals; others producing self-released albums. All did wonderfully.

Continuing our occasional festival that's not quite folk policy. (But it has 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?

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.

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.

And this is its 27th year!

The festival was originally founded to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the North York Moors National Park, and is now a fully independent event attracting music lovers from the local community, and around the folk world.
We encourage local performers from the Yorkshire/ North east region and, in addition ,have included many of the great names of 'Acoustic and Folk' familiar to folk fans. Concerts, Workshops, Song and Music Sessions

11th event is 2025.

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

Music and Dance event.

A friendly festival held in the idyllic setting of our Village Green high on the beautiful Mendip Hills AONB near Wells in Somerset. 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

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.

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.

An afternoon and evening event, featuring Welsh musicians.

New to our lists this year.

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.

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.

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

Fleadh Cheoil na Mumhan is the largest provincial Fleadh in Ireland as thousands of musicians, singers, dancers, storytellers and visitors from the six counties of Munster and beyond gather for an annual celebration of our Irish cultural traditions. The town of Tralee is steeped in tradition and previously has hosted Fleadh Cheoil na Mumhan in 1978.

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.

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

NOTE: New website address.

Festival of the Year in the British Blues Awards 2015 and 2016. Best Blues Festival in UK Blues Awards in 2018 and 2023

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? Over 190 free gigs perhaps?

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.

On a new site, check website.

It's about people coming together to eat, drink and make music. It is not a traditional music festival.

Lots of ales and concerts, open mike and sessions in the bar. Even some morris dancing. Small craft fair.

A Welsh festival of, well, Welsh folk music. One of the biggest Welsh Festivals.

If you have a guitar in the attic, or a bodhran in the cupboard, or maybe a fiddle under the bed, then bring them along! There is sure to be a jamming session in a pub or two.

If you're a musician who would like to play in front of an audience, there will be a busking stage on the Square where you could perform in front of the crowd.

Also known as Folklincs Humberfest

This annual event has become a cornerstone of North Lincolnshire's cultural calendar.
this annual event has become a cornerstone of North Lincolnshire's cultural calendar.

Feature an eclectic mix of performances, workshops, and community activities.

Attendees can look forward to live music from both established and emerging folk artists, offering a diverse range of traditional and contemporary sounds. In addition to the musical lineup, the festival will offer interactive workshops, providing opportunities for participants to engage with various aspects of folk arts and roots music.

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.

The 17th is acoustic only the 18th includes PA systems.

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.

Scottish (of course), Irish and contemporary music, children's entertainment and the World Puff-A-Box Championship (at which my brother has very consistently failed to win or even get placed.) A warm welcome is ensured.

Note the change in the web address - they have updated their site to use WordPress and Elementor. It's always a good sign when someone takes this much effort with their website.

For the 36th time!

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 continues 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.

Folk by the Oak is just outside of London but it feels a million miles away, surrounded by the leafy green parkland of Hatfield Park, where you will be immersed in music, history, ancient oaks, bunting, fun and laughter.

With the music alternating between 2 stages in one arena there's no FOMO at Folk by the Oak - From the intimacy of their Acorn Stage to the open-air festival buzz of the Main Stage, you can enjoy all the award-winning musicians and inspiring new talent in one memorable day.

The festival supports a local charity - Willow Foundation. They work to provide special days out for seriously ill young adults.

Vintage Tent :: 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, which in 2024 will be headlined by Levellers, plus Sekou Keita's Homeland Band, The Young'uns, Furrow Collective, Beans on Toast, Malin Lewis Trio, Grace Smith Trio and more.

First time we've listed this, but we like a bit of variety, and it's not only Irish events that are teaching sessions.

A weekend long family friendly music learning camp. Covers Banjo, Guitar fiddle, and others

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

Not much info on the site yet.

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.

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.

This is a boutique folk festival with a maximum of 500 people on site, organised by a volunteer committee - musicians, artists, craftspeople, hard-workers - whose ambition is simply to put on a memorable weekend to shine a spotlight on local culture.

Main days are Friday and Saturday, with Sunday a relax and chill day with a few performances around lunchtime , and impromptu fireside sessions in the evening.

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.

For 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.

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.

Ireland's Biggest Community Festival.
Music, Comedy, Talks, Tours, Theatre, Debate, Family, Community and more.

Quite a variety of events, some of which will be popular with folk fans. You'll have to check the program to find them.

200 events

The Summer School’s team of tutors is made up of internationally renowned performers with proven track records as teachers and educationalists. Beginner instrument classes, Whistle & Sing, Traditional Singing, Amhránaíocht, Sean-Nós Dancing and Set Dancing are suitable for all levels, including beginners. All other classes are designed for intermediate to advanced (minimum 2 years instrument experience) adults and children over 6 years of age.

Masterclass places are available to book now, visit belfasttradfest.com for the full list of classes and confirmed tutors.

There's a lot going on at this event!
Take a good look at the site to see for your self.
Events include a festival village, pipe band extravaganza, concerts, ceilis and more. A family friendly celebration of St Patrick, and traditional music, song and dance.

Summer School of traditional music, during Belfast UNESCO City of Music.

The masterclass includes expert tuition for the world's best traditional musicians, learning environment for all ages and abilities, access to a full program of afternoon sessions, ceilis, lectures, talks workshops and more.

Yn Chruinnaght Celtic Gathering.

49th year!

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.

49th year!

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.

Describes itself as quirky. Has quite a variety of styles of music, some of which may appeal to you. Large number of acts, including folk groups.
Vote the UK's most popular summer music festival at TripAdvisor, so it's clearly doing something right.

Boutique Festival with only 3000 tickets available. Headline Acts - often some of the biggest names!

Set in beautiful Kent just 5 mins from J5 on M2.

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 building on previous years' 'magical' festival of folk, roots and acoustic music, with even more bands booked for this year!

Variety of music styles, includes some top folk acts.

Concerts, workshop, dance displays, craft fairs, sessions. Lots of things to keep you entertained.

There will be a good selection of food and drink including a great choice of real ales at the main venue. Some excellent village pubs, wine bars, restaurants, shops and bistros, all within easy walking distance of the main venue. There are also some lovely village and riverside walks around Wickham plus the historic Chesapeake Mill and Water Gardens that are well worth a visit

A place where art, intellectualism and fantastic gastronomy share equal billing with music.

A festival covering many different media - music, film, talks - all on a variety of genres. The London Folk Guild brings the very best in folk, blues, acoustic, Americana, bluegrass, roots and country from the UK and around the world.

Winner of several Festival awards.

Folk music. Shanty singing. Pirates. Food and drink.

That should keep a lot of people happy!

For the 72nd Time !

Sidmouth Folk Festival is a unique week-long seaside celebration of music, dance and song taking place in the charming East Devon regency coastal resort. A must in every festival goer's annual diary. There has been a folk festival in Sidmouth in the first week of August every year since 1955, attracting tens of thousands of visitors to over 700 diverse events with a promise of something for everyone, from major league concerts to small intimate sessions, from ceilidh dancing to lively roots parties, from family entertainment to youth-centred masterclasses, from social dance to colourful dance displays.

This will be the 29th Event!

The Festival has entertained locals and visitors every August Bank Holiday Weekend. This year will be one of the biggest and best festivals to date. We have music for all generations from Folk to Country. There will be loads of street entertainment through out the days with lots of activities for all the family.

Site not fully updated on our last visit.

Cambridge Folk Festival had a year off -now they are back, though only for two days this time.

Site still being updated when we visited.

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. Two days of music and mayhem so if you fancy playing or just want to eat the pie - come to Melton Folk Festival.

The BIG one!
Site not fully developed on our last visit.
And tricky to navigate.

The National Eisteddfod of Wales is one of the great festivals of the world, attracting over 160,000 visitors every year. An eclectic mixture of culture, music, visual arts and all kinds of activities for people of all ages, there's something for everyone on the Maes during the first week of August every year.

The Eisteddfod is a travelling festival which belongs to the people of Wales.

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.