Sidmouth Folk Festival returns from Friday 30 July to Friday 6 August 2027 for its 72nd year, bringing eight days of folk music, dance, song and storytelling to the East Devon coast. The festival presents over 800 events across Sidmouth’s venues, seafront and streets, from headline concerts to intimate workshops, late-night sessions and free outdoor performances.
Since 1955, Sidmouth has been a major fixture on the UK folk calendar, attracting tens of thousands of visitors to watch and participate in traditional and contemporary folk arts. The festival combines programmed concerts with spontaneous sessions, structured workshops with open dance displays, making it both a performance showcase and a participatory gathering.
Visitor information
Dates: Friday 30 July to Friday 6 August 2027.
Location: Events take place across Sidmouth town, including the Blackmore Gardens, Ham Marquee, Bedford Hotel, Manor Pavilion Theatre and various pubs and outdoor spaces.
Tickets: Day tickets, weekend passes and week-long season tickets available. Children’s Festival events are free. Tickets go on sale in early 2027 - check the official website for prices and booking information.
Campsite: The official festival campsite on Bulverton Road opens from noon on Wednesday 28 July until noon on Saturday 7 August 2027. Advance booking required for camping and live-in vehicles.
Programme: Main programme and children’s programme available from the official website and at the festival box office. A printed programme is sold during the week.
What’s on
The festival programme spans headline concerts in the Ham Marquee and Manor Pavilion, intimate evening shows, workshop sessions covering singing, instrumental playing, dance styles and song traditions, plus afternoon and evening ceilidhs. Free events include the Bulverton Showcase, Arena performances, late-night sessions and the Children’s Festival with daily activities, workshops and performances.
Dance displays from teams across the UK and Europe take place throughout the week in Blackmore Gardens and around the town. The festival’s participatory ethos means anyone can join workshops, sessions and open ceilidhs regardless of experience level.
Where to stay
Sidmouth accommodation and the festival campsite fill quickly for festival week. The official festival campsite offers pre-booked pitches for tents, campervans and caravans. Browse places to stay near Sidmouth for off-site accommodation, and book well in advance.
