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July 30, 2027
Event date:
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August 6, 2027
Event end:
What to expect in 2027
The Sidmouth Folk Festival 2027 will return to the seaside town of Sidmouth in Devon for a week-long celebration of traditional music, contemporary folk, dance, song, storytelling and related folk arts. The festival is scheduled for 30 July–6 August 2027 and will bring performances and activities to venues throughout the town. The official ticketing site describes the event as an eight-day festival by the sea with more than 800 events.
The festival has been celebrating folk music, dance and song since 1955 and has developed into one of the UK’s best-known folk festivals. Its programme is much broader than a conventional concert series, with large headline concerts, intimate performances, traditional dance displays, ceilidhs, workshops, sessions, children’s activities and free events.
Visitors can expect the festival to be spread across Sidmouth rather than concentrated in one enclosed arena. Major programme locations include The Ham on the seafront, the Bulverton, Blackmore Gardens, Peacock Lawn, the Festival Campsite and other venues around the town.
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The 2027 artist programme will be announced progressively. The festival’s official lineup page states that 2027 artists will begin to be announced in December, so the complete lineup and detailed daily programme should not be treated as confirmed until published by the organisers.
Festival dates
The Sidmouth Folk Festival 2027 will take place from 30 July–6 August 2027.
The festival is planned as an eight-day celebration featuring concerts, workshops, dance, sessions, family activities and other folk events throughout Sidmouth.
The official festival has already confirmed the 2027 dates and is selling selected festival ticket products for the event.
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Venue & festival site
The Sidmouth Folk Festival is a town-wide festival rather than a single-site event. Performances and activities take place across Sidmouth, a Regency seaside town on the East Devon coast.
The Ham is one of the festival’s principal concert locations. Situated beside the seafront, it provides a large seated concert environment and forms an important part of the festival’s main programme.
The Bulverton is another major festival venue and is located near the Festival Campsite. It hosts large concerts, standing performances and ceilidhs. The festival describes the Bulverton as approximately 1.5 miles from The Ham and recommends the Festival Bus for travelling between the two locations.
Other festival areas include Blackmore Gardens, Peacock Lawn, Connaught Gardens, the Anchor Garden, the Festival Campsite and a range of indoor and outdoor venues throughout Sidmouth.
Because the festival is spread across the town, visitors should allow enough time to move between venues. The official venues information includes accessibility details, facilities and approximate walking distances between locations.
Full lineup
The full Sidmouth Folk Festival 2027 lineup has not yet been announced.
The official festival lineup page states that 2027 artists will begin to be announced in December. The final programme is therefore expected to develop through the official announcement process rather than being available as one complete list immediately.
The festival traditionally combines established folk names with emerging musicians, traditional performers, dance groups and artists working across the wider folk and roots spectrum.
The programme is expected to include:
- Traditional British folk music
- Contemporary folk
- International folk traditions
- Acoustic and roots music
- Folk dance
- Ceilidhs
- Instrumental performances
- Singing and storytelling
- Workshops and participatory sessions
- Children’s and family programming
- Free performances and informal sessions
Visitors should use the official festival website as the definitive source for confirmed 2027 artists.
Headliners
Sidmouth Folk Festival 2027 headliners have not yet been fully announced.
The festival’s headline programme traditionally features established and respected names from the folk world, while other stages and venues provide opportunities to see emerging artists and more specialist performers.
The festival’s 2027 ticketing information already confirms major programme areas including The Ham, the Bulverton and workshops, but the artist-by-artist headline programme will be announced separately.
The eventual headline concerts are likely to form some of the most sought-after events of the festival, particularly for visitors attending Sidmouth for the first time.
Stage-by-stage schedule
The detailed stage-by-stage schedule for 2027 has not yet been released.
Sidmouth Folk Festival operates multiple venues rather than a conventional collection of numbered festival stages. The main programme is distributed between areas including The Ham, Bulverton, Blackmore Gardens, Peacock Lawn and other locations throughout Sidmouth.
The Ham focuses heavily on major seated concerts, while the Bulverton provides a larger standing environment with concerts and ceilidhs. Smaller venues offer intimate performances, workshops, sessions and specialist activities.
Once the 2027 programme is published, visitors will be able to build their schedule around their preferred artists and venues. Because performances can overlap, it is worth prioritising must-see concerts before filling the remaining time with smaller events and workshops.
Set times
The individual 2027 set times have not yet been published.
Performance times will vary considerably because Sidmouth Folk Festival includes daytime workshops, afternoon concerts, evening shows, late-night events, dance activities and informal sessions.
Visitors should check the official programme and festival app when the 2027 schedule becomes available. Programme changes can also occur, and the festival states that changes are communicated through its website, social channels, signage and, where appropriate, directly to ticket holders.
It is particularly important to leave enough time between performances because moving from one side of Sidmouth to another can involve walking through busy streets or using the Festival Bus.
Ticket types
Sidmouth Folk Festival offers several ways to attend, allowing visitors to choose between a complete festival experience and shorter visits.
The confirmed 2027 ticket structure includes:
- All-In-One Week Tickets
- Bulverton-In-One Tickets
- Week Season Tickets
- Event Tickets
- Camping tickets
- Live-in Vehicle options
- Bus passes
- Personal Assistant tickets for qualifying visitors
The All-In-One ticket provides access to all festival events and workshops covered by the ticket, including The Ham evening concerts. Camping is separate.
Previous-edition adult pricing can be used as a guide while 2027 prices are being announced. Using approximately $1.35 per £1, previous adult prices converted to USD were:
- All-In-One Week: approximately $722.25
- All-In-One Weekend: approximately $290.25
- Week Season Ticket: approximately $560.25
- Weekend Season Ticket: approximately $209.25
- Day Ticket: approximately $94.50
- Week Camping for ticket holders: approximately $137.70
- Week Camping for non-ticket holders: approximately $224.10
- Weekend Camping for ticket holders: approximately $49.95
- Weekend Camping for non-ticket holders: approximately $82.35
These are previous-edition prices converted to USD and are not confirmed 2027 prices.
Ticket release phases
The official Sidmouth Folk Festival ticketing site states that 2027 tickets will go on sale in December.
The current 2027 ticketing page already lists the principal ticket products, including All-In-One Week, Bulverton-In-One and Week Season Tickets, with the sale period marked for December.
Camping and Live-in Vehicle tickets are also scheduled for release through the festival’s ticketing system.
The festival has introduced Pay in 3 payment plans, allowing eligible purchases to be divided into three monthly interest-free payments.
Visitors should purchase through the official festival ticketing system because the organisers state that tickets are subject to their own terms and conditions, including restrictions on refunds and exchanges.
VIP/Village options
Sidmouth Folk Festival does not operate primarily as a conventional VIP festival with one large VIP village. Instead, the experience is distributed among the town’s venues, concert spaces, campsite and festival areas.
The festival offers different ticket levels and event-specific access rather than a single premium hospitality village.
The Festival Campsite provides an important part of the full festival experience. It offers camping facilities, showers, toilets, drinking water, waste facilities, food options and other practical services. There is also a dedicated area for Live-in Vehicles and a limited number of electric hook-ups.
Visitors wanting a more comfortable experience can choose accommodation in Sidmouth rather than camping, while those wanting the most immersive festival atmosphere can stay at the official campsite.
Festival rules
Visitors should follow the festival’s rules to help protect other attendees, performers and the surrounding community.
Smoking and vaping are not permitted inside festival venues. Dogs are also not permitted inside festival venues except recognised assistance dogs, although well-behaved dogs on leads are permitted in specified outdoor areas and the Festival Campsite.
The campsite has additional rules. Petrol and diesel generators are not permitted, tents and vehicles must be positioned as directed by campsite staff, and campfires or ground-level barbecues are prohibited. Barbecue units require agreement from the Campsite Manager.
Visitors should also avoid excessive phone use, flash photography and filming during concerts. Professional camera equipment is restricted unless the user is on the official press list.
Anyone behaving in a threatening, offensive or otherwise unacceptable manner may be removed from the festival or campsite.
How to get there
Sidmouth is located on the East Devon coast and can be reached by road, bus and rail connections through nearby towns.
By road, Sidmouth is approximately 10 miles from Junction 30 of the M5 and around 9 miles from Honiton. Visitors driving to the festival should follow the official festival directions and signs because special traffic and parking arrangements can operate around the event.
The official Festival Car Park is situated beside the Bulverton Marquee. It provides convenient access to the Bulverton, although the festival warns that the route from the car park towards the bus stop is uneven and sloping and is not suitable for visitors with mobility difficulties.
Visitors arriving by rail can travel to Honiton and continue to Sidmouth by local bus. Exeter is another useful transport hub, with bus connections continuing towards Sidmouth.
Public transport after the festival
The Festival Bus is one of the most useful ways to travel between the main festival areas.
The service connects the Bulverton Campsite area with the Triangle Bus Stop in Sidmouth town centre. The festival’s current information states that buses operate frequently and are wheelchair accessible. The organisers specifically recommend using the Festival Bus when travelling between the campsite or Bulverton and the town.
Visitors should avoid walking along unsuitable sections of the main road after dark because some stretches do not have a pavement and can be hazardous. The festival recommends considering the pedestrian route through the campsite and towards Woolbrook Road and the Byes Riverside path.
For late-night performances, visitors should check the final Festival Bus service and local transport options before attending.
Accommodation areas
Staying in Sidmouth itself provides the easiest access to the festival’s different venues.
Central Sidmouth and the seafront are particularly convenient for visitors attending The Ham, Blackmore Gardens, Connaught Gardens and other town-centre events.
The area around the Festival Campsite and Bulverton is useful for visitors who want to camp or attend late-night performances at the Bulverton. The official campsite offers a more immersive festival experience and includes facilities such as showers, toilets, drinking water, food provision and waste disposal.
Visitors who prefer hotels, B&Bs or self-catering accommodation can choose from options around Sidmouth. The festival itself recommends booking outside accommodation early because demand can be high during the event.
Nearby East Devon locations can also work for visitors with a car, although staying farther away means allowing additional travel time.
Food & drink at the festival
Food and drink form an important part of the Sidmouth Folk Festival experience, with catering available around the festival’s different venues.
Festival caterers provide a variety of meals and refreshments, including options designed to accommodate food intolerances. The festival’s accessibility information specifically states that caterers work to make their menus and service accessible.
The campsite also has catering facilities, including breakfast and hot drinks, making it possible for campers to start the day without leaving the festival area.
Festival bars serve drinks in reusable cups, and visitors can bring their own reusable bottles and use the festival’s water refill points. The festival also operates a policy aimed at reducing single-use plastics and polystyrene in its catering operation.
Sidmouth itself provides additional restaurants, cafés, pubs, takeaway outlets and independent food businesses for visitors staying in town.
Accessibility
Sidmouth Folk Festival has a dedicated accessibility programme and aims to make the festival inclusive for visitors with different access requirements.
Wheelchair access is available at most venues, although the organisers advise visitors to check individual venue arrangements because accessibility varies across the town. The official website provides venue information, facilities, parking information and approximate distances between locations.
Accessible camping can be requested within the Accessibility Area of the Festival Campsite. A limited number of electric hook-ups are available in this area, and facilities are provided for charging personal mobility devices.
Personal Assistant Tickets are available free to qualifying ticket holders who require assistance. Appropriate documentation is required, and visitors with access requirements are encouraged to contact the festival in advance.
The Festival Bus is wheelchair accessible, providing an important connection between the campsite/Bulverton area and Sidmouth town centre.
Best days to attend
The best part of Sidmouth Folk Festival 2027 to attend will depend on the final programme and the performers announced for each section of the festival.
A full-week ticket is the strongest choice for visitors who want to experience the festival’s complete range of activities. This allows time for major concerts as well as workshops, dance displays, informal sessions and smaller performances.
Visitors mainly interested in headline concerts can choose their visit around the artists announced for The Ham and Bulverton. Those interested in the wider folk culture should consider staying longer to experience workshops, ceilidhs, traditional dance and free activities.
First-time visitors may benefit from spending enough time in Sidmouth to explore several different venues rather than focusing exclusively on the major concert stages.
Previous year’s highlights
Previous editions of Sidmouth Folk Festival have maintained the event’s long-standing emphasis on traditional music, dance and song while continuing to welcome contemporary folk and roots artists.
The festival’s programme has included major concerts at The Ham, standing concerts and ceilidhs at the Bulverton, intimate performances, workshops, dance displays and informal sessions.
The festival’s free programme is another important feature. Visitors can encounter performances and community activities without restricting themselves entirely to ticketed concerts.
The campsite and town-wide format also contribute to the festival’s distinctive atmosphere. Audiences can move from a major concert to a dance performance, workshop or informal session and then continue into the evening at another venue.
Official tickets
Official Sidmouth Folk Festival 2027 tickets are being prepared for release through the festival’s official ticketing system, with the ticketing site stating that 2027 tickets will go on sale in December.
The official ticket page currently lists All-In-One Week, Bulverton-In-One and Week Season Tickets, while event tickets, camping, Live-in Vehicles, merchandise and bus passes are also part of the festival’s ticketing system.
The All-In-One Week ticket provides access to the festival events and workshops covered by the ticket, including The Ham evening concerts, while camping must be booked separately.
Visitors should purchase through the official festival website or its authorised ticketing platform rather than unofficial resale sites.
Official website: https://sidmouthfolkfestival.co.uk/
Telephone: +44 1395 577952
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FAQ
What are the primary operating hours for the main festival box office?
The physical box office and main customer service headquarters open early every morning and remain staffed late into the evening throughout the entire eight-day duration of the celebration. Dedicated staff members work continuously across these hours to process last-minute ticket purchases, handle advanced booking collections, and resolve any lost credential issues. Attendees can also visit these desks at any point during operational windows to pick up detailed daily program guides, submit festival feedback, or request emergency assistance.
Are dogs permitted inside the primary indoor music venues and marquees?
Registered assistance dogs accompanying individuals with disabilities are warmly welcomed across all indoor and outdoor festival spaces without exception. However, general family pets and dogs are strictly prohibited from entering enclosed marquee tents, structured concert venues, and food trading zones for hygiene and safety reasons. Well-behaved dogs on short leads are permitted in open-air public parks, coastal walkways, and specific dog-friendly zones within the broader campsite areas.
Is there dedicated parking available directly at the main campsite hub?
Coldham's Field features integrated camping parking arrangements that allow vehicle owners to park directly adjacent to or very close to their designated pitch boundaries. Campers who choose campervan or caravan setups are allocated specialized hardstanding or grass plots with direct vehicle access maintained throughout the week. For tent campers utilizing standard camping zones, nearby unloading bays and organized parking fields ensure vehicles remain close by for convenient gear transfer.
Can attendees bring their own food and beverages into the concert arenas?
Personal water bottles, light snacks, and non-alcoholic beverages packed from home are permitted within open-air gathering spaces and festival grounds. However, bringing outside hot meals, large quantities of commercial catering, or personal alcoholic drinks into licensed performance marquees and seated concert arenas is strictly prohibited. Fully stocked licensed bars and diverse hot food traders operate directly inside or immediately adjacent to all major performance venues.
Are there automated teller machines or cash-back facilities located on-site?
While major festival box offices, primary bars, and most official craft traders accept contactless card and digital mobile payments, signal limitations can occasionally impact processing speeds. A selection of temporary automated teller machines and localized cash-back points operate within the central town commercial district throughout festival week. Attendees are strongly advised to carry a sensible amount of physical cash to ensure quick and hassle-free transactions at smaller independent stalls.
What facilities are provided for visitors with mobility impairments?
All major performance venues incorporate designated flat-access entry ramps, designated front-row or elevated viewing platforms, and nearby accessible toilet facilities. Dedicated parking spaces close to primary venue entrances are reserved exclusively for blue badge holders and patrons displaying official festival accessibility passes. Trained accessibility marshals are stationed throughout the town and venue sites to offer guidance, pushchair assistance, and tailored support to ensure everyone enjoys the program safely.
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