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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

Meditation for Inner Peace

Type

Type:

Participatory Event

Sidmouth

Sessions include a talk and practical guided meditations.
You can attend any or all the classes - just drop in!
Everyone welcome.
£6 per class. Please see poster for…

Dates

From:

19 May 2022to19 May 2022
Sidmouth Sea Fest 2022 Friday Fundraising Party Night

Type

Type:

Music

Sidmouth

Brilliantly diverse curation of live music and DJs to enchant, entertain and excite! Bring your dancing shoes, get ready to party!

Dates

From:

20 May 2022to20 May 2022
Meet Picasso's Muse: Artist Lydia Corbett and Isabel Coulton

Type

Type:

Talk or Lecture

Sidmouth

A rare opportunity to meet the woman who inspired Picasso's 'Sylvette' series. For more information, please call 01395 515551 or email mail@kennawayhouse.org.uk

Dates

From:

20 May 2022to20 May 2022
Sidmouth Sea Fest

Type

Type:

Festival

Sidmouth

The Sea Fest main event (free to all) on Saturday 21st May will kick off at 10am with an eclectic mix of art, craft, local groups, music, dance and literature and…

Dates

From:

21 May 2022to21 May 2022
Sidmouth Toy & Model Museum

Type

Type:

Family

Sidmouth

Sidmouth Toy & Model Museum open from 23rd May to 11th June, 10.00 to 17.00 (excluding Sundays). An opportunity to discover a world of vintage and modern toys and to…

Dates

From:

23 May 2022to11 June 2022
Meditation for Inner Peace

Type

Type:

Participatory Event

Sidmouth

Everyone welcome! Sessions include a talk and practical guided meditations.
Attend any or all classes - just drop in!

Dates

From:

26 May 2022to26 May 2022
Curiouser and Curiouser - An Extraordinary Exhibition

Type

Type:

Art

Sidmouth

Original artwork, prints, cards, handmade crafts.
Live demonstrations, meet the artists, Q&A sessions...
For more information, visit www.fairiewoodart…

Dates

From:

27 May 2022to5 June 2022
Spring Art Sale

Type

Type:

Art

Sidmouth

Art Sale curated by Richard Gould and Janey Goddard

Dates

From:

27 May 2022to5 June 2022
Sidmouth in Bloom “Meet and Greet” Plant Sale

Type

Type:

Sale

Sidmouth

Sidmouth in Bloom “Meet and Greet” Plant Sale in the Sensory Gardens, the Ham

Dates

From:

28 May 2022to29 May 2022
Spring Nature Trail

Type

Type:

School Holiday Event

Sidmouth

Spot the wildlife along the trail to claim prizes on completion.
Follow the Nature Trail around the sanctuary to discover what animals (besides donkeys) you could find…

Dates

From:

28 May 2022to26 June 2022
Sidmouth Town Band Summer Concerts

Type

Type:

Seasonal

Sidmouth

Sidmouth Town Band will once again begin their summer concerts on 29th May at 8pm and will then play every Sunday, from 8pm until 4th September. Find out more about the town…

Dates

From:

29 May 2022to4 Sept 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
Exploring Shakespeare's Women

Type

Type:

Poetry & Literature

Sidmouth

An exciting day discovering the role of women in Shakespeare's work, with Madeleine Birch.

Dates

From:

8 June 2022to8 June 2022
Atmospheric Oils. Jenny Aitken. East Devon Art Academy.

Type

Type:

Art

Sidmouth

Jenny provides thoroughly informative teaching, with the overriding goal of people enjoying themselves! She wants people to feel encouraged, enabled and challenged. Includes…

Dates

From:

16 June 2022to17 June 2022
Watercolour Landscapes. Steve Hall. At East Devon Art Academy.

Type

Type:

Art

Sidmouth

Learn from this popular and well-known watercolour artist. With a mixture of demonstrations, en plein air and studio work, Steve will guide you through the completion of two…

Dates

From:

21 June 2022to23 June 2022
Sidmouth in Bloom June Open Gardens Event

Type

Type:

Nature

Sidmouth

Dates

From:

23 June 2022to27 June 2022
Meditation for Inner Peace

Type

Type:

Participatory Event

Sidmouth

Everyone welcome! Sessions include a talk and practical guided meditations.
Attend any or all classes - just drop in!

Dates

From:

23 June 2022to23 June 2022
Meditation for Inner Peace

Type

Type:

Participatory Event

Sidmouth

Everyone welcome! Sessions include a talk and practical guided meditations.
Attend any or all classes - just drop in!

Dates

From:

23 June 2022to23 June 2022
Meditation for Inner Peace

Type

Type:

Participatory Event

Sidmouth

Everyone welcome! Sessions include a talk and practical guided meditations.
Attend any or all classes - just drop in!

Dates

From:

30 June 2022to30 June 2022
Oil Painting en Plein Air. Roger Dellar. At East Devon Art Academy.

Type

Type:

Art

Sidmouth

Paint landscapes in oils with this acclaimed artist. Composition, colour mixing, and paint handling will be dealt with as well as the importance of good brushwork. £195 for…

Dates

From:

2 July 2022to4 July 2022