visit cheltenham

The spirit of creative collaboration and innovation will be in evidence at the 16th Cheltenham Folk Festival as we showcase music from a new generation of artists, new album releases and the reinvention of the legendary Albion Band.

With a wide range of concerts, workshops, ceilidhs, children’s activities and an indoor market place with stalls selling everything from jewellery and clothing to musical instruments, as well as the infamous Real Ale bar, the Folk Festival brings together all walks of life over the weekend, turning Cheltenham into a feast of colour and energy including up to 15 morris dance sides that take to the streets on the Saturday and Sunday! It’s a festival not to be missed!

So as you can see - it's time to get your winter festival fix - a weekend not to be missed!

The festival has a very strong participatory side to it, with a wide range of workshops, where you can learn the techniques behind various instruments and musical styles from the performers themselves.

Join the Folk Festival facebook group and visit the official website http://www.cheltenhamtownhall.org.uk/folk-festival/ for more information and chat in the lead-up to the festival.

E-mail the Folk Festival office folkfestival@cheltenham.gov.uk  or phone 01242 775893.

Bookings can be made by calling the Box Office on 0844 576 2210.

FESTIVAL HISTORY

In 1996 Cheltenham Folk Club organiser John Shorter approached Cheltenham Town Hall with the idea of a mid-winter folk event to "banish the winter blues". He wanted to produce an event that preserved the roots of Folk tradition, showcased budding new talent, and created a friendly atmosphere.

The festival has a very strong participatory side to it, with a wide range of workshops, where you can learn the techniques behind various instruments and musical styles from the performers themselves. As well as the broad range of concerts, workshops, ceilidhs and children’s activities there is a market place with stalls selling everything from jewellery and clothing to musical instruments, as well as the infamous Real Ale bar.

Over the weekend, the town turns in to a feast of colour and energy as up to 15 morris dance sides take to the streets on the Saturday and Sunday.