Swanage Folk Festival

The Swanage Folk Festival has come a long way since it first started as a day of dance in 1992. Over the years it has grown into a full and varied weekend of music and dance. From Friday 7th September to Sunday 9th September our small seaside town on the beautiful Jurassic coast of Dorset will fill up with hundreds of colourful dancers and the town will resonate to the sound of bells jingling, sticks thwacking and excellent music.

The hub of the festival is Sandpit Field, with a concert marquee and festival bar, the festival information tent and dozens of colourful craft stalls. Over the weekend concerts will take place at venues around the town featuring artists including Oysterband, The Young'uns, Flats and Sharps, Gilmore and Roberts, Ninebarrow, Narthen and the Rheingans Sisters. Full details of the weekend fun can be found on the festival website, www.swanagefolkfestival.com 

There will be opportunities to get involved with workshops, music sessionsin the local pubs and free entertainment on Sandpit Field for the young of all ages. For something more energetic there is the festival dance at the Swanage School on Saturday night and a special children's dance on Saturday afternoon. 

Over 50 traditional dance teams will gather to entertain you. Displays take place all over the town and a spectacular dance parade takes place on Saturday afternoon.

We look forward to seeing you over the festival weekend. 

The festival provides the option of a full weekend ticket or tickets for each separate pay concert.

Adult Weekend tickets are £60

Evening Concert tickets are £20

Afternoon Concert tickets (Conservative Club and Parish Church) are £10

Saturday Dance tickets are £12

Children (6 to 16) are half adult price.

Tickets can be purchased from the festival box office or through our on-line ticket service. Details can be found on the festival website at www.swanagefolkfestival.com   

The beating heart of the festival is on Sandpit Field, Shore Road, Swanage. This is a public park overlooking Swanage Bay and hosts the main music marquee, information tent and craft fair.

Other community venues are used over the weekend for concerts and workshops whilst more informal music sessions are held in local public houses and cafes.

The festival does not have direct access to accommodation. Please contact the local Tourist information center for details of accommodation through www.visit-dorset.com 

The festival does not have direct access to camping facilities. For details of local camp sites please contact the Swanage Tourist office through www.visit-dorset.com