Our 2023 festival has ended

We are getting ready for 2024

 

We will soon be ready to start sharing information about it with you.

Scroll down for a small reminder of the 31st year of the Swanage Folk Festival.

“The best small festival in the south.”

Survey feedback

“It was all amazing but loved the dancing”

Survey feedback

“The variety of music styles among the acts”

Survey feedback

“The Appalachian dancers, great energy”

Survey feedback

Over 20 top bands on main stage

 

 

 

Packed tent on all three nights and in the day

The bands

Merry Hell

Merry Hell

Merry Hell is an eight-piece folk-rock band from the North West of England, with a history, a pedigree and a bright future. They are festival favourites, their first two albums finding favour with critics, broadcasters and music fans alike.

Kathryn Tickell & The Darkening

Kathryn Tickell & The Darkening

Kathryn Tickell brings her stellar band to the stage. World-class musicianship conjures up the spirit of ancient Northumbria, featuring pipes, fiddle, accordion, harp and voices.

Sam Kelly & the Lost Boys

Sam Kelly & the Lost Boys

Sam Kelly and the Lost Boys are one of the best live acts in the UK, packing out festival tents and venues the world over since they started in 2016.

65 dance sides

The biggest Morris dancing display in the UK

 

 

The dancers

Red Stags Morris

Red Stags Morris

Red Stags Morris are a border side from Southampton who wear red and black rag jackets with occasional flecks of yellow.

Loose women

Loose women

Loose Women are a border Morris side from Kent, recognisable in purple skirts and rainbow tatters . You may even get a glimpse of their bloomers !

Mendip Morris

Mendip Morris

Mendip are a Cotswold style side who wear black breeches, white shirts, red socks with red, gold and blue baldricks with two distinctive badges.

The Swanage Mayor led the dance parade

1,500 people cheered them on

 

Adults and children alike loved the free children's entertainers

New for 2023 - The Comedy club kept people laughing

 

 

 

 

Media Coverage

As reported in Swanage News

Thousands enjoy Swanage Folk Festival despite sweltering heat

See you on the 6th of September 2024