Folk & Acoustic Music Festivals 2023
Here's a round-up of some of the best UK festivals for folk, acoustic and roots music being held in 2023. To go to the festivals' own websites, click on the orange text.
If you are a festival organiser would like your event featured here, free of charge, please get in touch by using the form on our contact page.
Please note: as making a living from music is now a bit of a struggle (to say the least!) we will endeavour to promote and give priority to events where performing artists are receiving an appropriate fee or mutually agreed arrangement for their services. Rates are obviously private negotiations between the parties involved, but if you need guidelines on appropriate payment, you may find that the Musicians Union website is helpful.
https://musiciansunion.org.uk/working-performing/gigs-and-live-performances/live-engagement-rates-of-pay
If you are a festival organiser would like your event featured here, free of charge, please get in touch by using the form on our contact page.
Please note: as making a living from music is now a bit of a struggle (to say the least!) we will endeavour to promote and give priority to events where performing artists are receiving an appropriate fee or mutually agreed arrangement for their services. Rates are obviously private negotiations between the parties involved, but if you need guidelines on appropriate payment, you may find that the Musicians Union website is helpful.
https://musiciansunion.org.uk/working-performing/gigs-and-live-performances/live-engagement-rates-of-pay
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Friday 15th - Sunday 16th April 2023
FOLK WEEKEND OXFORD Various venues, Oxford Performers this yesar include Katie Grace Harris, George Boomsma, Merry Hell, Emily Portman & Ron Harbron. Concerts, workshops, dance and general folky fun in the city of dreaming spires. Details www.folkweekendoxford.co.uk Thursday 27th - Sunday 30th April 2023 SHETLAND FOLK FESTIVAL Lerwick, Shetland Visiting acts this year include The Trials of Cato, Amy Laurenson, Simon Thoumire, Michael Biggins, Erin Rae, Valtos, Kyla Brox and many more. Details www.shetlandfolkfestival.com Friday 28th April - Sunday 30th April 2023 BRISTOL FOLK FESTIVAL Various venues, Bristol Bristol Folk Festival returns with a strong line-up: Laidy Maisery, Eliza Carthy, The Longest Johns, Nick Hart, Calan and Angeline Morrison headline. For the full line-up and ticket links visit bristolfolkfestival.org Friday 28th April - Monday 1st May 2023 UPTON FOLK FESTIVAL Upton-upon-Severn, Worcestershire Headliners for 2023 include Martyn Carthy, Hannah Martin & Miranda Sykes, Keith Kendrick & Sylvia Needham, Richard & Jess Arrowsmith, The Wilderness Yet and Martin Wyndham-Read with Iris Bishop. There's also dance, workshops, and lots going on in this attractive riverside town, Details uptonfolk.org Friday 28th - Sunday 30th April 2023 TODMORDEN FOLK FESTIVAL Todmorden, West Yorkshire Line-up includes festival favourites Blackbeard's Tea Party, Bella Gaffney, Kimber's Men, The Magpies, Angeline Morrison, Good Habits and Michael Walsh. There are concerts, Morris dancing, childrens events, youth music award winners, food and drink,craft stalls and a ceilidh. Details todfolkfest.co.uk/ |
Friday 28th - Sunday 30th April 2023
FILEY FOLK FESTIVAL Filey, North Yorkshire Filey Folk festival is taking place on 28,29,30 April. It features a great many traditional and modern music acts performing at several venues around town. All free entry. Details fileyfolkfestival.org.uk Friday 5th - Sunday 7th May 2023 HOLMFIRTH FOLK FESTIVAL Holmfirth, Yorkshire Acts include Jon Boden, Alice Jones, Muddy Summers & The DFW, Granny's Attic - with ceilidhs and lots of other attractions. Details www.holmfirthfestivaloffolk.co.uk Friday 5th - Sunday 7th May 2023 TREDEGAR HOUSE FOLK FESTIVAL Tredegar House, Newport, Gwent Down in South Wales this year are Barbara Dickson, Kathryn Tickell, Phil Beer, Merry Hell, Jez Lowe & Julie Matthews, Will Pound & Jenn Butterworth plus lots more must-see acts. Free entry to Tredegar House & Gardens with every festival ticket this year. www.tredegarhousefestival.org.uk Thursday 25th - Sunday 28th May 2023 ORKNEY FOLK FESTIVAL Kirkwall, Orkney, Scotland A fine line-up includes Breabach, Elephant Sessions, Fara, Katherine Priddy, The Kris Drever Band, Spiers & Boden and a wealth of talented others. All in beautiful Orkney too! Details https://orkneyfolkfestival.com/ Friday 26th - Monday 29th May 2023 CHIPPENHAM FOLK FESTIVAL Chippenham, Wiltshire A great traditional festival in a lovely part of Wiltshire. In town this May are Cara Dillon, Le Vent du Nord, The WIlderness Yet, Banter, Benji Kirkpatrick, Edwina Hayes, Geoff Lakeman & Rob Murch, James Delarre & Saul Rose, plus dancing, workshops, ceilidhs, stroes, crafts and lots to do for all ages. For more information, tickets and timetables, visit www.chippfolk.co.uk/ |
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Friday 16th - Sunday 18th June 2023
BLACK DEER FESTIVAL Eridge Park, Tunbridge Wells, Kent The popular American Festival returns with a strong line-up for 2023: headliners include Bonny Raitt, The Pretenders, Nathaniel Raitliff, Steve Earle, Midlake, Lucinda Williams, Elles Bailey, Katherine Priddy, Bonny Light Horsemen, This Is The Kit and Robert Vincent. Details blackdeerfestival.com Friday 9th - Sunday 11th June 2023
GOWER FOLK FESTIVAL Weobley Castle Farm, Gower, South Wales Line up includes Janice Burns & Joe Doran, Eliza Carthy Trio, The Canny Band, Bryony Griffith & Alice Jones, and the Melrose Quartet. Details www.gowerfolkfestival.co.uk/ Thursday 15th - Sunday 18th June 2023
BEARDY FOLK Hopton Court, Cleobury Mortimer, Shropshire Seth Lakeman, Trackdogs, Zervas & Pepper, Skerryvore, Alden & Patterson, Martin Carthy, Merry Hell and more in the lovely secret garden. Details www.beardyfolkfestival.co.uk Saturday 24th June 2023
BURY FOLK FESTIVAL Nowton Park, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk Performers include Bear Witch Project, Eric Sedge, Erin Brown & Barry Watson, The Captain's Beard and Tin Heart Troubadours. Updates www.buryfolkfestival.co.uk Saturday 24th - Sunday 25th June 2023
TEIGNMOUTH FOLK FESTIVAL Teignmouth, Devon For updates please see festival website or Facebook page. Details www.teignmouthfolk.co.uk Thursday 29th June - Sunday 2nd July
GATE TO SOUTHWELL Kirklington, Nottinghamshire Headliners for 2023 include Show Dogs (Show Of Hands with Track Dogs), John Smith, Nine Below Zero and Tom Russell, Details www.gtsf.uk Friday 30th June - Sunday 2nd July 2023
CLECKHEATON FOLK FESTIVAL Cleckheaton, Yorkshire Join Aaron Catlow & Kit Hawes, Martin & Eliza Carthy, Edwina Hayes, Duncan MacFarlane, Jez Lowe, Tim Edey, Jack Rutter and many more at this year's Clecky Festival. Details www.cleckheatonfolkfestival.org Wednesday 5th - Sunday 9th July 2023
THE NEW FOREST FOLK FESTIVAL Romsey, Hampshire Artists announced to date include Ward Thomas, Gigspanner Big Band, Little Johnny England, Jim Cregan, Winter Wilson, Anthony John Clarke, Harbottle & Jonas, Green Diesel and Reg Meuross. Details www.newforestfolkfestival.co.uk Sunday 16th July 2023
FOLK BY THE OAK Hatfield House, Hertfordshire The Waterboys, Nick Mulvey, This Is The Kit, Lady Maisery, The Longest Johns, Nick Hart. The Wilderness Yet and many more line-up at this brilliant one day festival in a beautiful location. Details www.folkbytheoak.com Thursday 27th - Sunday 30th July 2023
WARWICK FOLK FESTIVAL Castle Park, Warwick Festival which prides itself on presenting the best of British traditional and contemporary folk. Artists in 2023 include Chris Wood, Keith Donnelly, Ellie Gowers, This Is The Kit, Will Pound & Tim Edey, Benji Kirkpatrick & The Excess, Keith Donnelly and Manran. Plus Dance, workshops and festival village. Once again the festival will be held in the beautiful setting of Castle Park.Tickets and details from www.warwickfolkfestival.co.uk |
Thursday 27th - Sunday 30th July 2023
CAMBRIDGE FOLK FESTIVAL Cherry Hinton Hall, Cambridge First names reveaked for 'the big one' include The Proclaimers, Rufus Wainwright, Kiefer Sutherland and Imelda May. Details www.cambridgelive.org.uk/folk-festival Friday 4th - Friday 11th August 2023
SIDMOUTH FOLK FESTIVAL Sidmouth, Devon A folking good week by the sea with Fishermen's Friends, Show of Hands, Barbara Dickson, The Young Uns, Skerryvore, Le Vent Du Nord, Seth Lakeman, The Unthanks, Grace Petrie, Cara Dillon and many more. Details sidmouthfolkfestival.co.uk Thursday 3rd - Sunday 6th August 2023
WICKHAM MUSIC FESTIVAL Near Fareham, Hampshire The Proclaimers, Fishermen's Friends, Martyn Joseph, Eric Bibb, Show of Hands, The Saw Doctors, Merry Hell, Track Dogs and Mary Black are among many fine acts scheduled for Wickham 2023. Details www.wickhamfestival.co.uk Friday 11th - Friday 18th August 2023
BROADSTAIRS FOLK WEEK Broadstairs, Kent Performers for this week at the seaside include Seth Lakeman, Jon Wilks, Suntou Susso, Ranagri, Angeline Morrison, Katie SPencer, Winter Wilson, Lady Maisery, The Urban Folk Quartet and Tim Edey. Details broadstairsfolkweek.org.uk Thursday 10th -Saturday 12th August 2023
CROPREDY FESTIVAL Cropredy, Oxfordshire Joining Fairport for an eclectic mis of music are Nile Rogers, 10cc, Toyah & Robert Fripp, Fishermens Friends, Kiki Dee, The Young 'Uns, Gilbert O'Sullivan, Merry Hell, Beans on Toast, and a farewell show from Strawbs. Details www.fairportconvention.com Thursday 17th - Sunday 20th August 2023
PURBECK VALLEY FOLK FESTIVAL Dorset Details www.purbeckvalleyfolkfestival.co.uk Friday 18th - Sunday 20th August 2023
MOIRA FURNACE FOLK FESTIVAL Moira, Leicestershire Artists appearing this year include Jez Lowe, Tom McConville, Kim Lowings & The Greenwood, Pete Morton, Anthony John Clarke, Paul Downes , The John Richards Band and Winter Wilson. Details www.moirafurnacefolkfestival.co.uk Saturday 19th - Friday 25th August 2023
WHITBY FOLK WEEK Whitby, Yorkshire Details www.whitbyfolk.co.uk Friday 25th - Monday 28th August 2023
SHREWSBURY FOLK FESTIVAL Shrewsbury, Shropshire A festival which grows every year: on the bill for 2023 are Billy Bragg, Breabach, Daphne's Flight, Leveret, Maddy Prior & Forgotten Lands, Oysterband, Spiers & Boden, Talisk and The Salts. Details www.shrewsburyfolkfestival.co.uk Friday 25th - Monday 28th August 2023
CORNWALL FOLK FESTIVAL Wadebridge, Cornwall Artists include Gigspanner Big Band, Sarah McQuaid, Geoff Lakeman & Rob Murch, Windjammer - and more to be announced. Details www.cornwallfolkfestival.com |
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Friday 1st - Sunday 3rd September 2023
MOSELEY FOLK & ARTS FESTIVAL Moseley Park, Birmingham The usual eclectic musical mix presents Squeeze, The Saw Doctors, Wilco, Graham Nash, Angeline Morrison and more to be announced in a lovely hidden park in this leafy and pleasant part of Birmingham. Details www.moseleyfolk.co.uk Thursday 7th - Sunday 10th September 2023
SWANAGE FOLK FESTIVAL Swanage, Dorset The line-ip this year includes Magpie Lane, Kathryn Tickell & The Darkening, Kathryn Roberts & Sean Lakeman and The Melrose Quartet. Details www.swanagefolkfestival.com |
Thursday 7th - Sunday 10th September 2023
BROMYARD FOLK FESTIVAL Bromyard, Herefordshire A strong line-up this Autumn includes Kris Drever, The Melrose Quartet, Jim Moray, Eliza Carthy Trio and the Young 'Uns. Ceilidhs, dance, workshops and family events make this a very attractive festival in a picturesque part of Herefordshire. Details bromyardfolkfestival.co.uk Friday 22nd - Sunday 24th September 2023
SOUTHDOWNS FOLK FESTIVAL Bognor Regis, Sussex Line-up to be confirmed. Details southdownsfolkfest.co.uk |