Get on your dancing shoes and head to The Wessex Folk Festival

Dorset Events: Wessex Folk Festival

Wessex Folk Festival means that it’s time to get your dancing shoes on and head down to Weymouth Harbour.

We can’t believe how fast it became the biggest free folk festival in England. Dream Cottages are so proud to be sponsoring the festival once again! It lights up the Weymouth streets with wonderful sounds of music and laughter.

This year the festival will run from the 31st May to 2nd June inviting all folk music lovers from all over the world.

What is happening this year?

Wessex folk festival is an opportunity to sit back and relax or to join in with a whole host of activities. With over 30 stage performances over the weekend, Weymouth harbour side is the place to be.

Warm up on a Friday night with local pub and harbourside music sessions. Saturday will bring continuous Morris dancing, work shops and performances from national and international acts as well as Saturday night ceilidh.

Wind down on Sunday and enjoy the many trade stalls dotted around the Harbourside.  As it will be the last day of the festival, you can soak up the atmosphere in one of the pubs along the harbour.

This year the festival will be in three stages with more than 30 acts for you to listen to! See the full programme on Wessex Folk Festival page – it is being updated regularly.

Bear in mind, the festival is run by volunteers and is completely free. If you will see a bucket going around, don’t be shy – support the festival so we could dance once again next year!

Other folk festivals in Dorset

Dorset has a rich history of folk dancing, music and song. The Wessex folk festival is a unique way to enjoy this heritage.

However, if you are unable to visit us this time of year but you love folk music, here are our top picks!

Purbeck Valley Folk Festival

15-18th August, Purbeck

Purbeck Valley Folk Festival is a small festival loved by many! Have three days full of amazing folk music not too far from the stunning Corfe Castle.

Bridport Folk Festival

26th – 28th July, Bridport

Bridport Folk Festival returns for a second year with 65 acts across 5 stages. Visit this lively town and enjoy lots of folk music!

Wimborne Minster Folk Festival

6th – 9th June, Wimborne Minster

One of the biggest folk festivals in Dorset established in 1982 . With over 70,000 visitors coming in 2018, this year it will be even bigger with 10 stages, 50 children and 60 dance events!

Swanage Folk Festival

6th – 8th September, Swanage

Swanage Folk Festival is a weekend of concerts, traditional dance displays, a ceilidh, workshops, children’s activities, music sessions, a craft fair and trade stands all based around the sea front and town centre.

If you are planning to visit one of the festivals above, you may want to check our cottages in Swanage, Bridport, Corfe Castle, Weymouth.