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Sidmouth Folk Festival

Sidmouth Folk Festival is a week long celebration of traditional music and dance that takes place every year in the heart of Sidmouth. It has been held in the first week of August since the 1950s and has become a real national treasure championing folk traditions with over 700 events, activities and workshops to suit everyone – no matter their age or knowledge of folk music.

An incredible week of fun

Sidmouth Folk Festival regularly attracts tens of thousands of visitors every year with top name entertainment, children’s activities and colourful dance displays taking place at a variety of locations around the town. Each year the line up shows the unique and broad appeal of the festival, so whether you’re just joining in for the day, or planning to stay for the whole week, there really is something for everyone.

The Festival holds several dedicated children’s events making it the perfect family friendly activity. Head to Blackmore Gardens where you’ll find workshops covering music, crafts, circus skills, theatre, story telling and games in beautiful surroundings. Or simply stay in the town centre where you can catch regular performances, both big and small as well as Morris Dancing, parades and more! The festival ends in spectacular fashion with the traditional Torchlight Procession making its way down the Esplanade from Peak Hill and an awe inspiring Firework Display which brings the week to a close.

The Sidmouth Folk Festival has its own designated campsite, a dedicated festival carpark and their own festival bus service so you never miss out on your favourite performers! Many of the hotels and other accommodation providers in the town also offer special rates for guests who are coming for the festival, so make sure to speak to them when making your booking. The official festival campsite can be found on Bulverton Road, just under two miles from the seafront. The site has its own box office and food areas, as well as running hot and cold water and a designated family area which is quieter. Located in the heart of the Sid Valley, the site has incredible views and the bus service runs at regular intervals from here to the town centre.

A piece of Sidmouth’s history

Not only is Sidmouth Folk Festival the oldest of its kind in Britain, but the 2017 festival in particular has made its mark on history. This particular edition of the festival was when the Festival was awarded its own Blue Plaque in recognition of its continuous cultural contributions to the town – live on BBC Radio Devon! The station broadcast the unveiling of the plaque live from Connaught Gardens in Sidmouth as part of the BBC’s Music Day celebrations. The setting of Connaught Gardens was particularly poignant as that was the venue for the first evert festival.

The plaque can be found at the Ham, where the Festival sets up its central hub each year.

Information and advanced tickets for the next Sidmouth Folk Festival is available from the Information Centre on 01395 578627 or via email ticinfo@sidmouth.gov.uk Alternatively, they can be booked online at sidmouthfolkfestival.co.uk

Want to find out more about what’s on in and around Sidmouth? You can find details of other festivals and events here.

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Ongoing Events

Salcombe Regis Coffee Mates

Type

Type:

Community

Salcombe Regis

Come and join us, meet new friends, enjoy a tea or coffee, company, conversation and optional activities. Everyone very welcome.

Dates

From:

7 Dec 2021to7 Dec 2021
Sidmouth Lions Santa Activities

Type

Type:

Christmas

Dates

From:

7 Dec 2021to10 Dec 2021
Connaught@Christmas

Type

Type:

Christmas

Sidmouth

Brand new family-friendly illuminated experience at Connaught Gardens high above the sea at Sidmouth. There are nine different zones to see within the gardens which make use…

Dates

From:

7 Dec 2021to12 Dec 2021
Sidmouth Poetry Readers

Type

Type:

Poetry & Literature

Sidmouth

The Sidmouth Poetry Readers meet at Kennaway House on the second Wednesday of the month, 10.00-12.00. Visitors and new members are welcome!
This is our programme for the…

Dates

From:

8 Dec 2021to8 Dec 2021
Sid Vale Association Free Zoom Quiz with Nigel Hyman

Type

Type:

Virtual Event

All about people and places in the Sid Valley who have been mentioned in SVA publications. For log in details go to http://www.sidvaleassociation.org.uk and follow the links…

Dates

From:

8 Dec 2021to8 Dec 2021
Sid Valley Memory Cafe

Type

Type:

Community

Sidmouth

A social meeting place for people with memory problems, their family and friends.

Dates

From:

8 Dec 2021to8 Dec 2021
Sidford W.I Evening Meeting

Type

Type:

Christmas

Sidford

Members please book by telephoning 01395 519390 or 579725 to reserve a place. Entertainment with Sue King. Competition a Christmas Wreath, handmade any medium.

Dates

From:

8 Dec 2021to8 Dec 2021
Bingo Christmas Special

Type

Type:

Competition/Game

Cash prizes. Everyone welcome but guests and visitors £2. Further

Dates

From:

9 Dec 2021to9 Dec 2021
Sidmouth Men's Forum Christmas Afternoon Tea

Type

Type:

Christmas

Sidmouth

Dates

From:

9 Dec 2021to9 Dec 2021
J&S Dance & Music

Type

Type:

Christmas

Everyone welcome but guests and visitors £2. Further

Dates

From:

10 Dec 2021to10 Dec 2021
Christmas Coffee Morning

Type

Type:

Christmas

Entrance £1. Raffle, homemade cakes, books, bric a brac, cards, Fair Trade. Large car park. In aid of Church Funds.

Dates

From:

11 Dec 2021to11 Dec 2021
'Must Be Mad' Live Music

Type

Type:

Community

Everyone welcome but guests and visitors £2.

Dates

From:

11 Dec 2021to11 Dec 2021
Sid Vale Carnival Club - Coffee Morning

Type

Type:

Food and Drink

In aid of Carnival Club funds.

Dates

From:

11 Dec 2021to11 Dec 2021
Dick Whittington

Type

Type:

Performance

Sidmouth

Dick Whittington
presented by Sidmouth Amateur Dramatic Society Ltd This year's panto sees an hilarious and up to date version of Dick Whittington. New faces and old…

Dates

From:

18 Dec 2021to30 Dec 2021
LAU

Type

Type:

Music

LYME REGIS

28 minute drive from Sidmouth.
For the first time in over a decade, Lau present an entirely acoustic tour. The pioneering Scottish folk trio have always experimented…

Dates

From:

18 Feb 2022to18 Feb 2022
Keswick in Devon

Type

Type:

Talk or Lecture

Sidmouth

A stimulating and challenging week of Bible teaching, worship and prayer attracting people from all over the UK. A main speakers Marcus Honeysett and Amy Orr-Ewing will be…

Dates

From:

7 Mar 2022to11 Mar 2022
Sidmouth International Jazz & Blues Festival

Type

Type:

Jazz

Sidmouth

“Good music is good no matter what kind of music it is.” Miles Davis
For more information about our hugely exciting plans for the Sidmouth International Jazz & Blues…

Dates

From:

1 June 2022to5 June 2022
Sidmouth & East Devon Walking Festival 2022

Type

Type:

Event

Sidmouth

More information coming shortly.

Dates

From:

17 Sept 2022to23 Sept 2022
Friends of the Byes Community Group

Type

Type:

Community

Sidmouth

Meet on Saturday mornings. 10am - 12 midday. New volunteers welcome. Please call Kati on 07817 041239, email FOTByes@ gmail.com, or find us on Facebook.

Dates

From:

15 Oct 2022to15 Oct 2022
Antique Valuations with Bearnes, Hampton & Littlewood at Kennaway House

Type

Type:

Antiques

Sidmouth

Weekly art and antique valuations will return to Kennaway House:
Thursdays weekly, from 2pm-4pm

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2021to31 Dec 2021