Sidmouth Folk Festival - Announces first acts for 2026

Sidmouth Folk Festival, Devon’s week-long seaside celebration of Folk music!!!

Founded in 1955, Sidmouth continues to champion the very best of traditional and grassroots music and dance, while injecting fresh energy year after year, embracing an eclectic spectrum of Folk-fuelled genres and nurturing young, rising, cutting-edge and culturally diverse talent.

Spooky Men's Chorale (Pictiured Above)

This year is no exception with organisers putting together a line-up that spans generations and styles. Early confirmations include captivating songstress Kate Rusby, the rousing Spooky Men’s Chorale marking their 25th anniversary, John Jones, Ray Cooper and Al Scott (from Oysterband), Traditional Folk ensemble Blowzabella, veteran Folk Rockers Lindisfarne, The Young’uns, Capercaillie, and Black Umfolosi.

Blowzabella (Pictiured Above)

Further artists include Steve Knightley and Friends, Gigspanner Big Band, Ashley Hutchings and Blair Dunlop, Peter’s Field with Sean Conney, Eliza Carthy and Sam Carter, Cerys Hafana Trio, Jack Rutter, Kathryn Tickell, Sam Carter sings Nic Jones, The Furrow Collective, and Will Pound and Jenn Butterworth, Shooglenifty, Mad Dog Mcrea, Simon Care All Stars and The Bismarcks, with more names to follow.

Al Scott with Oysterband (Pictiured Above)

Two pre-festival concerts will take place ahead of the main programme. The Bootleg Beatles celebrated internationally for their musical authenticity and attention to detail, will take to the stage on Thursday, July 30th. Then on Friday, July 31st, ever popular Cornish buoy band Fisherman’s Friends are back by popular demands to raise the roof with their globally famous repertoire of stirring songs and shanties. 

Kate Rusby (Pictiured Above)

Check Out! the Video for 'Underneath The Stars' by Kate Rusby Below...