Shrewsbury Folk Festival

About Shrewsbury Folk Festival

Shrewsbury Folk Festival 2027 takes over Shrewsbury’s West Midlands Showground for a folk music weekend running across traditional folk, contemporary folk, world music, Americana and roots. The festival traces its roots to Bridgnorth Folk Festival, founded by Alan and Sandra Surtees in 1997, before the first Shrewsbury edition ran in 2006.

The scale is compact but busy: around 7,000 visitors per day, with more than 5,000 camping on site or staying locally. It moved to West Midlands Showground in 2007, where subsequent editions have been held.

Lineup and Programme

Four sound stages sit at the centre of the bill, with Severn Stage, Pengwern Stage, Sabrina Marquee and Village Stage named among the main music spaces. The wider site also includes Hobsons Dance Tent, Refolkus, Pandemonium!, Siskin Folk Club, Goldfinch, The Hub, The Snug and The Salopian Berwick Bar.

The programme covers concerts on open-air and covered stages, ceilidhs, dance shows and dance workshops. Workshops, sessions and singarounds also run on site, alongside children’s and youth activities.

Who Is It For?

The audience runs from young families to older couples, with more than 80% return visitors recorded by the festival. It is described by the organisers as family-friendly, dog-friendly and first-timer-friendly.

All under 18s must be accompanied by an adult. Youths are not permitted entry without adult accompaniment, and ID may be requested if age is questioned.

The Venue and Site

West Midlands Showground, Berwick Road, Shrewsbury is a tree-lined riverside site close to the historic town centre. The site layout includes four music stages plus dance, workshops and dedicated children’s and youth areas.

On-site camping and glamping are available, with weekend-ticket camping only. The campsite has designated quiet, late-night and family areas, limited non-bookable electric hook-ups and free showers.

Facilities include free toilets, showers and washing facilities, with free showers available 24 hours a day. First aid runs 24/7 next to Gate 2, with mental health support nearby.

West Midlands Showground sits on Berwick Road in Shrewsbury, with the railway station at Castle Gates around 10–15 minutes’ walk from the festival site.

• Nearest station: Shrewsbury railway station.
• Road access: routes include the A5, M54, A49, A528, Berwick Road and Gravel Hill Lane.
• Parking: car parking is available from 12:00 on Friday 27 August 2027; non-camper parking costs £5.25 per day or £15.50 for the weekend.
• Regional access: Shrewsbury is 48 miles from Birmingham, 33 miles from Wolverhampton, 75 miles from Manchester and 170 miles from London.