Sidmouth Folk Festival is back from 4th -11th August with another week of fun and games planned for the whole town. If you’re coming to Sidmouth for the festival, here are the latest updates to help you get ready for the party of the year!
Sidmouth Folk Festival has been running since 1955 and is such an institution it even has its own blue plaque! Each year the festival celebrates traditional music with activities, workshops and top performances from across the folk genre.
You can see the full line up for this year here.
Make sure you’re festival ready with these top tips:
- Stay hydrated – of course you will want to enjoy the local drink on offer but make sure to stay hydrated, no one wants to miss your favourite act because of sun stroke or dehydration. Bring your own water bottles with you and fill up when needed – you can even pick up a Sidmouth themed bottle from here!
- Bring sun cream – the weather in Britain might be a bit changeable, but always make sure to have sun cream with you and to top up during the day, even if the sun isn’t that strong, you can still burn!
- Make sure to dress appropriately – if you’re travelling to the festival it can be hard to know what to pack, but make sure to have a hat, sun glasses and a rain coat, just in case!
- Wear sensible shoes – Sidmouth may not be a large town, but you will need to move between venues for certain acts and of course, you’ll want to dance, so wear comfortable and sturdy shoes!
- Make a plan before you go – check the line up and make a list of who you want to see, where they are playing and what time, that way you can plan your route and not miss your favourites.
- Make time for food! – You might not want to stop the party, but don’t skip meals especially if you’re planning to stay out all day! Sidmouth has a host of eateries and incredible local food and drink to try, so make sure to sample some while you’re here!
This year’s venues include:
The Ham Concert Marquee
This is the main stage and will feature three incredible headliners each day, you’ll find it at the Ham, at the eastern end of the Esplanade, where you’ll find comfortable seating throughout the festival. There’s a bar in the foyer and dedicated toilets, including accessible facilities, as well as the Ham Lawn, which is a great place to soak up the sun!
The Bulverton
If you don’t want the fun to end, head to the Bulveron where you can enjoy through to the early hours. This standing venue can be found near the Festival car park and campsite and features workshops, evening shows and more.
Peacock Lawns
The Children’s Festival takes place here and offers entertainment for the whole family. Head here for storytelling, crafts, dance and music, with workshops taking place all week long. You can find out more about the Children’s Festival here.
Manor Pavilion
Head to the theatre for a programme of special shows and commissions, all as part of the festival.
This is in addition to smaller venues, where you can find the opportunity to see more intimate performances. Find out more about the stages and timings here.
Don’t forget the Pre Festival specials on 3rd and 4th August to get the party started – join Fisherman’s Friends at The Ham on the Thursday and Barbara Dickson and Nick Holland on the Friday, also at the Ham.
This year, the Festival Bus Service returns with buses running all day between the Bulverton Campsite and the Triangle stop in town, with buses running every 20 minutes, so you don’t have to worry about parking and driving. You can find details of the service here. If you are planning to drive, the Festival Car Park can be found near the Bulverton Marquee and has direct access to this venue, alternatively, you can park at the Cricket Club, the Rugby Club and Bedford Lawns, who are all allowing festival attendees to park for a small charge. The town’s usual car parks are also operating, but make sure to leave plenty of time to avoid delays. You can find out more about parking for the festival here.
Make sure to keep an eye on the Festival website and social media accounts for the latest information.
