Shrewsbury Folk Festival

Shrewsbury Folk Festival 2026

Taking place from 28-31 August 2026 at the scenic showground on Berwick Road, Shropshire, the Shrewsbury Folk Festival celebrates folk music and community in a charming rural setting.

Music

Four stages feature an eclectic mix of contemporary folk, Americana, world beats, and traditional acoustic songs. The lineup includes top British and international acts alongside rising stars, with plenty of impromptu sessions and intimate singalongs.

• Traditional ceilidh and Morris dances in the large dance tent
• Dance workshops for beginners
• Storytellers and spoken word performances

Family Activities

The festival welcomes all ages with a dedicated kids’ area offering crafts, drumming workshops, circus skills, storytime, and a mini-ceilidh to keep younger visitors entertained.

Atmosphere

Evenings are lively with campfire singalongs, late-night silent discos, and folk jams in the pub tent. On-site camping allows visitors to enjoy the festival late into the night, with the nearby River Severn and historic Shrewsbury town close by.

Food & Drink

The central food village serves world cuisine including curries, falafel wraps, fish and chips, and wood-fired pizzas, complemented by local ales, ciders, and soft drinks at the bar.

Workshops & Wellness

Visitors can join yoga sessions and folk-instrument classes, adding creativity and relaxation between concerts in a welcoming and friendly environment.

Getting to Shrewsbury Folk Festival by car is straightforward. The festival site is at the West Midlands Showground on Berwick Road (postcode SY1 2PF). Drivers are advised to follow the A5 and A49 signs and trust official festival signposts to avoid the congested town centre. From the West Midlands (Birmingham/Telford), take the M54 to its end and then join the A5. If arriving from Wales or Manchester, use the A5/A49. On-site parking is usually available if pre-booked with tickets, and additional temporary parking may be arranged nearby.

By train or coach, Shrewsbury is well connected. Shrewsbury railway station (Castle Gates) is about a 10-15 minute walk (or a short taxi ride) from the festival site. Regular trains run from Birmingham, Manchester and Cardiff (with connections via Crewe or Wolverhampton). Coaches from National Express also stop in Shrewsbury from London and other major cities. Once in town, local Stagecoach buses or taxis can take you to Berwick Road near the showground.

For air travel, the nearest major airports are Manchester (around 75 miles) and Birmingham (about 60 miles). Both have rail or coach links to Shrewsbury (for example, trains via Crewe or Birmingham New Street). Liverpool John Lennon (LPL) and East Midlands (EMA) airports are also options, though they are farther away. Car hire from these airports or coach transfers (e.g. National Express) into Shrewsbury are common choices for festival travelers.

Shrewsbury and the surrounding area offer plenty of accommodation. The festival provides on-site camping fields with basic facilities (toilets, showers, water) if you've booked a camping pass. If you prefer a bed, the historic town of Shrewsbury (approximately 2-3 miles away) has hotels, inns and B&Bs for all budgets. Nearby towns like Telford and Wrexham have additional lodging options. We recommend booking accommodation early, as options fill up quickly during festival weekend.