Box Office 01843 604080
Here are some Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
about Broadstairs Folk Week
Q When does it start?
A Friday 9th August. The Craft Fair opens on Saturday 10th at Victoria Gardens.
When is the Torchlight Procession?
In 2013, there will be a Big Parade on the afternoon of Saturday 10th. The Torchlight Procession is taking a rest!
Q When are the fireworks in Folk Week?
A There aren’t any!
Q. Are there any pub gigs in Broadstairs in 2013?
Yes - around 100 Official Folk Week Pub Gigs - buy a Souvenir Programme to find out the details!
Q. Do I have to book for anything?
A. If you want to see any of the main concerts in the concert marquee or other events in the Pavilion, Sailing Club, Baptist Church that are ticketed - it is best to buy tickets in advance.
Q How can I book?
Season Tickets will be on sale for 2013 from January onwards.
Tickets for individual events (ie not Season Tickets) are on sale from June 18th on 01843 604080. If you are a Friend of Folk Week, you can book individual tickets as part of the Priority Booking scheme from February 14th 2013.
Q What’s the difference between a Season Ticket and an individual ticket?
A You can buy a Season Ticket for a week, weekend, 2 or 3 days midweek or just one day. You can buy it with or without camping. It means that you can go to any of the events programmed on the relevant days. You wear a wristband which is your ticket and as long as you turn up in good time for the start of an event, you can go to concerts, workshops and dances - they are all included.
If you buy an individual ticket, for a concert, workshop or dance - it just gets you in to that one event.
Q Where’s the campsite?
A The Broadstairs Folk Week campsite is situated on 2 school fields belonging to Charles Dickens School. In 2013, we will also be using the facilities at the Charles Dickens school, including showers, toilets and the Hub - the catering and late night venue.
Q Can anyone camp there?
A No, all campers must buy Season Tickets or be members of our Volunteer Workforce or be performers at the festival.
Q How do I join the Volunteer Workforce and what must I do?
A You can download a form from our website or call 01843 604080 and we’ll send you one. You must 35 hours in the week on shifts and if you tell us your skills, we will try and match you with a suitable task.
Q What happens to the money from the Collecting Tins, Lottery ticket sales etc?
A All monies raised - everything from ticket sales, merchandise, street collections are ploughed back into the festival to enable Folk Week to continue.
Q Does the council organise Folk Week?
A No, Broadstairs Folk Week is an independent registered charity that is organised by the Broadstairs Folk Week Committee, Festival Director, Artistic Director, Festival Administrator and in addition to the volunteer committee - there are over 190 members of the Volunteer Workforce
Q How long has Folk Week been going?
Broadstairs Folk Week was founded in 1965 by Jack Hamilton and others.
Q How can I become a Friend of Folk Week and why should I?
A You can fill it in the form on our leaflet or download it from our website or just call the Box office number. It costs £20 per person or £30 per couple, you get a free Souvenir programme with full details of the festival, a couple of free tickets, a badge, as well as the knowledge that you are supporting a great event. Plus you can start booking for individual events as part of the Friends of Folk Week Priority Booking scheme on 14th February.
About Broadstairs Folk Week
Everyone has a different Folk Week – ask 50 people what is their favourite part of the festival and they will each tell you something completely different! Whether you are family looking for child-friendly events, younger generation wanting to burn off some dance energy or singers and musicians seeking out a session – Folk Week has something for you.
The festival takes place all over the town and there’s hardly a venue that isn’t bursting with song, music and dance. All venues are within walking distance – although we admit that getting down the hill to the sea is easier than getting back up!
Headline Acts
The Concert Marquee is where you’ll find all the headline acts performing, located in the middle of the town and a ten-minute walk from the campsite.
Entertainment for everyone
During Folk Week there is plenty for all ages to take part in – from the Shooting Roots workshops to the Toddlers’ Singalongs. There is a full programme for families and young people – just click on Young Folk to find out.
You can tailor make your festival experience to suit you. With over 70 events a day, you’ll find something to entertain you from early till late. You can just buy one concert ticket to see your favourite act – or if you want to go for total immersion – then a full Season Ticket is an unbeatable option. There are day season tickets, weekend and week Season Tickets, with or without camping.
Parents can relax while the kids are practicing their Diablo skills at building a mad monster in the craft workshops. All events for children and adults are included in the price. And under 7’s go free! A ten-minute walk from town, the festival campsite has showers, toilets, food tent, the wonderful Panic Circus, children’s teatime events, country dancing and late night entertainment for Season Ticket holders. Most of the Social Dance programme is here too. Pitch your tent, park your car and forget about it until it’s time to leave.
Learn something new!
All workshops are open to everyone. Make this the year you learn the ukulele or East European dance. Join in with the festival choir or practice those important tunes for sessions. You can find Folk Week in the Sailing Club, historic Crampton Tower and the new Baptist Centre – it’s a great way of getting to know Broadstairs!
Craft & Music Fair
There’s a special Craft & Music Fair with a huge variety of ceramics, clothing, musical instruments, paintings, jewellery and gifts. Situated in Victoria Gardens on the cliff-top, it's free entry.
What is Broadstairs like?
Broadstairs Folk Week takes place in a beautiful seaside resort, with seven sandy bays and an unbeatable atmosphere. Time to book your holiday!
Broadstairs Charity
The Festival Today Broadstairs Folk Week is an independent organization – a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee that depends on a combination of ticket income, public grants, commercial sponsorship and individual donations from the Friends of Folk Week and other fund-raising such as collections on the street to exist and to stay in the town and not become a green-field site festival outside of Broadstairs.
