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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

Craft Fair

Type

Type:

Arts and Culture

Sidmouth

Variety of craft stalls selling locally made crafts. Tea and coffee available.

Dates

From:

2 Oct 2021to2 Oct 2021
Sidmouth Science Festival

Type

Type:

Festival

Sidmouth

Sidmouth has been playing host to its own Science Festival for over five years and with each year, the event grows in popularity. The festivals each follow a new theme and…

Dates

From:

8 Oct 2021to17 Oct 2021
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 2021to15 Oct 2021
Ottery St Mary - Tar Barrels

Type

Type:

Show/Display

Ottery St Mary

14 minute drive from Sidmouth.
Every year, for reasons lost in antiquity, the Flaming Tar Barrels are carried through the streets of Ottery St Mary to the delight of…

Dates

From:

5 Nov 2021to5 Nov 2021
THE STRAWBS

Type

Type:

Music

LYME REGIS

28 minute drive from Sidmouth.
Dave Cousin's legendary band originate from the 60s and traverse rock, folk, bluegrass, and prog. Former members include Sandy Denny,…

Dates

From:

27 Nov 2021to27 Nov 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
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
As the largest fine art auctioneers and valuers in the South West of…

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2021to31 Dec 2021
Friendship Club

Type

Type:

Community

Sidmouth

For people over 50 living alone. The Royal York & Faulkner Hotel, Sidmouth. 2-4pm. Tea & chat £3. Monthly (1st Sunday). Make friends, lunches out, theatre, cinema, coach…

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2021to31 Dec 2021
Sidmouth Museum Opening

Type

Type:

Local Culture

SIDMOUTH

Sidmouth Museum open to welcome visitors once again. New for 2021 - Sidmouth's Jurassic Coast, the Digital History of Sidmouth - From Fishing Village to fashionable Seaside…

Dates

From:

21 June 2021to27 Nov 2021
Sidmouth Voluntary Services Morning Cafe

Type

Type:

Food and Drink

Sidmouth

Tea/coffee/hot chocolate and toasted teacakes. Different activities and homemade cake with Lisa every Friday: bingo, armchair exercise, words in words/Scrabble, table…

Dates

From:

23 Aug 2021to1 Oct 2021
Guided Western Sidmouth Walk

Type

Type:

Nature Walk

Sidmouth

Tuesdays weekly, 10:30am. £2.50 per person (under 16s free).
Guided stroll around the Western side of town, hearing about a Royal Death, King Chit and the Field by the…

Dates

From:

24 Aug 2021to28 Sept 2021
Guided Geology Walk

Type

Type:

Nature Walk

Sidmouth

Wednesdays weekly - 2pm. £2.50 per person (under 16s free).
Along the Esplanade to learn about the Jurassic Coast, geology and formation. No booking required.

Dates

From:

25 Aug 2021to6 Oct 2021
The Oasis Drop In Cafe

Type

Type:

Community

All Saints Road, Sidmouth

Wednesdays weekly - 12:45pm - 2:15pm.
A warm welcome, positive conversations and a cuppa. COVID-19 regulations will be adhered to.

Dates

From:

25 Aug 2021to29 Sept 2021
Guided Eastern Sidmouth Walk

Type

Type:

Nature

Sidmouth

Thursdays weekly - 10:30am. £2.50 per person (under 16s free).
Discover the history of Blackmore Gardens and tunnels, the Poorhouse and Jail, Elysian Fields and a…

Dates

From:

26 Aug 2021to30 Sept 2021
Guided Tree Walk

Type

Type:

Nature Walk

Sidmouth

Fridays weekly.
Meet 10.30am for stroll through hidden paths and historic parkland. £2.50pp (under 16 free). c2hrs – fairly level walk on tarmac footpaths.

Dates

From:

27 Aug 2021to1 Oct 2021
Duplicate Bridge

Type

Type:

Community

Sidmouth

Mondays & Thursdays Weekly - 1pm for 1.30pm start Visitors welcome. Booking required: 01395 515524

Dates

From:

30 Aug 2021to7 Oct 2021
Whist Drive

Type

Type:

Community

Sidmouth

Mondays weekly - 2pm.
£3. All whist players welcome. Enquiries: 01395 514715.

Dates

From:

30 Aug 2021to4 Oct 2021
Rubber Bridge

Type

Type:

Community

Sidmouth

Tuesdays Weekly 1.30 for 1.45pm start. Visitors welcome. Enquiries : 01395 515524.

Dates

From:

31 Aug 2021to5 Oct 2021