Design Our Cups Competition Last year we held a competition for under 18’s to design our reusable festival cups. We received 34 amazing designs from artists aged 3 to 13. The decision in picking the winner was extremely difficult, but in the end Lewis (age 11) was selected. Lewis’ design can be seen on this year’s cups. Well done Lewis! Thank you to The Thanet community Lottery Fund for their cup sponsorship.
This year our competition is available to ALL AGES. Would you like to see your design in people’s hands all over town in 2026? Well then, get designing! The theme is ‘What Folk Week Means to Me’. Download the 2026 entry form here, or picked up at The Jack Hamilton Bar at the Sarah Thorne Theatre, Folk week Merchandise Stall or the Hobby Horse Club at the Bandstand. All entries must be submitted by the end of Folk Week 2025 and the winner will be announced by the end of August. The winning design will be printed on thousands of cups in 2026
The Great Hooden Horse Hunt is back again this year, posters of our cheeky Hooden Horses will be on display all week, Download an Entry form here Can you spot them around the town, check out what they are holding or wearing, submit your form to the Hobby Horse Club Merchandise stall before 11am on Friday 15th to win a Folk Week goody bag.
Lots to keep your family busy at Folk Week this year: dancing, music, stories, songs, shows, making and games. Most of our workshops are also open to under 18’s depending on ability, please check event details.
Enjoying time together!
You can book individual event tickets or purchase an all inclusive Festival ticket for the week, weekend or individual days.
The joys of Hula Hooping. Get giddy and learn tricks! All levels and abilities will be catered for. Hoops provided. Advance booking only and tickets limited. Another session on Tuesday 15 at the campsite. Buy Tickets
BarnFire is a Kent-based guitar and fiddle duo, encompassing many different styles. Depending on the booking, BarnFire can include music from the Scottish and Irish repertoire, some Jazz standards, English Folk tunes, a helping of Classical pieces, a bit of Country, a good old pop song here and there, some Klezmer of course… and more!
Each morning, Zoe, Peter, and Evie from Inspiration Creative get all generations singing and dancing together – and wearing some very strange outfits. They are ably supported by our wonderful band-in-residence Giddy Yup and mayhem is provided by the Hooden Horses – the living embodiment of the festival logo and Clarence the Dragon makes a […]
Discover the heritage craft of wood bodging, a traditional rural woodworking skill using green wood and simple hand tools. Learn how to shape practical items and explore a craft rooted […]
The All Ages Activity Gazebo is a welcoming space for festival goers to slow down, connect, and enjoy creative, low-pressure activities away from the hustle and bustle of the main […]
Daily at Bleak House you can join The Broadstairs Knitters for workshops in knitting, crochet and a chat. All are welcome from beginners to experts, yarn, needles and bits, including […]
Every afternoon our amazing dance sides will be performing at The Bandstand, you can also catch them around the town and along the promonade throughout the day. This event is free but please put a donation in the festival collecting tins, Thank you.
The Tonic is Julie Atkin on piano, Ollie Woods on percussion, Gavin Atkin on fiddle and Malcolm Woods on Melodeon. Formed fourteen years ago, we have a mutual love of English song and dance music. We have all been actively involved in the English folk scene for many years as dancers, singers and musicians and […]
The Big parade starts promptly at 5.30pm from the top of the High street at Pierremont Ave, processing down the high street and onto the seafront promenade, finishing with a celebration of dance and music at the bandstand. After the parade show you can stay for more evening entertainment. We hope you will come along […]
All ages and abilities are welcome for this fun dance at The Bandstand. You are in for a fun free evening with your family and friends. This is a free event but we do ask you pop a donation on one of our collecting tins. Thank you.
Join Sparkles Bellydance for a fun. family friendly workshop for all abilities and ages. Boost your confidence, enjoy great music, and shimmy your troubles away with laughter and new moves! BUY TICKETS
Each morning, Zoe, Peter, and Evie from Inspiration Creative get all generations singing and dancing together – and wearing some very strange outfits. They are ably supported by our wonderful band-in-residence Giddy Yup and mayhem is provided by the Hooden Horses – the living embodiment of the festival logo and Clarence the Dragon makes a […]
Discover the heritage craft of wood bodging, a traditional rural woodworking skill using green wood and simple hand tools. Learn how to shape practical items and explore a craft rooted […]
Daily at Bleak House you can join The Broadstairs Knitters for workshops in knitting, crochet and a chat. All are welcome from beginners to experts, yarn, needles and bits, including […]
Ever wanted to try Morris dancing? Join the Dead Horse Morris side from Whitstable to try a regional style of this traditional dance - with hobnail boots and sticks lean more towards the "Border" style and "Molly Dancing" than the better known bells-and-hankies Cotswold dances. Buy tickets
Lots of fun to be had with The Giddy Up Ceilidh Band as they guide you through some family dances in the sunshine. This is a free event so please pop a donation in a Folk Week collecting tin, thank you.
Every afternoon our amazing dance sides will be performing at The Bandstand, you can also catch them around the town and along the promonade throughout the day. This event is free but please put a donation in the festival collecting tins, Thank you.
The Doug Hudson Band (formerly Hot Rats) features dazzling young fiddle player Matthew English who, at twenty years of age, is already attracting a big following both here and abroad. As well as concert and festival appearances, DHB, are also a formidable ceilidh/barn dance band provided driving dance tunes with Scott Kirk's inventive bass lines […]
It's ska but not like you've ever heard it before. Gypskazz was created & founded by Mel Zebra in 2014. This is a Free event but we appreciate donations in the tins to help continue the festival.
Lots of fun to be had with The Giddy Up Ceilidh Band as they guide you through some family dances in the sunshine. This is a free event so please pop a donation in a Folk Week collecting tin, thank you.
Each morning, Zoe, Peter, and Evie from Inspiration Creative get all generations singing and dancing together – and wearing some very strange outfits. They are ably supported by our wonderful band-in-residence Giddy Yup and mayhem is provided by the Hooden Horses – the living embodiment of the festival logo and Clarence the Dragon makes a […]
Discover the heritage craft of wood bodging, a traditional rural woodworking skill using green wood and simple hand tools. Learn how to shape practical items and explore a craft rooted […]
The All Ages Activity Gazebo is a welcoming space for festival goers to slow down, connect, and enjoy creative, low-pressure activities away from the hustle and bustle of the main […]
Daily at Bleak House you can join The Broadstairs Knitters for workshops in knitting, crochet and a chat. All are welcome from beginners to experts, yarn, needles and bits, including […]
Be ready to sing, have fun and surprise yourself. This workshop is suitable for total beginners (aged 8 – 80+) and those who have made a start but cannot join chords together. If you have your own ukulele please bring it along, but we will also have 20 ‘spare’ ukuleles for people to borrow. […]
Join Zoe, Hazel and the combined choirs from Inspiration Creative to learn a song with sign language, plus also watch the sing and sign choir perform a couple of songs for you too. The songs are translated by the leader alongside the deaf members of the group using a combination of British Sign Language and […]
A Ceilidh designed for the whole family, no matter what age you are! Dance along to the tunes played by Banter with lively tunes and easy dances. No experience needed - just bring along your energy and enjoy dancing together to the instructions given by Banter's own Tim Walker. BUY TICKETS
Folk Introducing Stage, our new showcase for emerging talent was a great success last year, so we are doing it again. If you are a young or emerging musician, we would love to hear from you, sign up to perform on our introducing stage, solos, duos and bands all welcome. We look forward to hearing […]
Django Chutney have been described as a virtuosic gypsy-jazz ‘manouche et trois’, with equal parts due respect for the genre, unruly chaotic energy, and a huge dose of tongue-in-cheek humour. This is a free event but we do welcome donations in the Tins, Thank you.
Each morning, Zoe, Peter, and Evie from Inspiration Creative get all generations singing and dancing together – and wearing some very strange outfits. They are ably supported by our wonderful band-in-residence Giddy Yup and mayhem is provided by the Hooden Horses – the living embodiment of the festival logo and Clarence the Dragon makes a […]
Discover the heritage craft of wood bodging, a traditional rural woodworking skill using green wood and simple hand tools. Learn how to shape practical items and explore a craft rooted […]
The All Ages Activity Gazebo is a welcoming space for festival goers to slow down, connect, and enjoy creative, low-pressure activities away from the hustle and bustle of the main […]
Daily at Bleak House you can join The Broadstairs Knitters for workshops in knitting, crochet and a chat. All are welcome from beginners to experts, yarn, needles and bits, including […]
Bursting with energy and ready to get everyone moving, Polly Stirzaker is a vibrant new caller who brings the dance floor to life. After years playing in ceilidh bands, she’s stepped up to calling, combining a deep love of the music and an infectious enthusiasm for dance. With her warm, easygoing style, Polly makes sure […]
A relaxed, energetic circus workshop exploring juggling, hoops, ribbons, balancing, stilts, plate spinning, and circus games while developing confidence, coordination, fitness, creativity, and exciting new skills. Ages 6+. BUY TICKETS
Folk Introducing Stage, our new showcase for emerging talent was a great success last year, so we are doing it again. If you are a young or emerging musician, we would love to hear from you, sign up to perform on our introducing stage, solos, duos and bands all welcome. We look forward to hearing […]
The Native Oysters Band are proud to offer a traditional New Orleans-style funeral marching band—an evocative and heartfelt musical tribute steeped in soul, dignity, and celebration. With rich brass harmonies and timeless jazz rhythms, we help honour the life of a loved one in a way that is both moving and memorable. Our funeral marches […]
An evening to celebrate one of the founders of the festival, Jack Hamilton. Cheers Jack! Manchester’s favourite folk monster, Chimera are known for their infectious energy and driving tunes that […]
It is easier than you think, Ages 8+, A lively tradition for teamwork, enjoyed together across generations. Buy Tickets
Each morning, Zoe, Peter, and Evie from Inspiration Creative get all generations singing and dancing together – and wearing some very strange outfits. They are ably supported by our wonderful band-in-residence Giddy Yup and mayhem is provided by the Hooden Horses – the living embodiment of the festival logo and Clarence the Dragon makes a […]
Discover the heritage craft of wood bodging, a traditional rural woodworking skill using green wood and simple hand tools. Learn how to shape practical items and explore a craft rooted […]
The All Ages Activity Gazebo is a welcoming space for festival goers to slow down, connect, and enjoy creative, low-pressure activities away from the hustle and bustle of the main […]
Daily at Bleak House you can join The Broadstairs Knitters for workshops in knitting, crochet and a chat. All are welcome from beginners to experts, yarn, needles and bits, including […]
Be ready to sing, have fun and surprise yourself. This workshop is suitable for total beginners (aged 8 – 80+) and those who have made a start but cannot join chords together. If you have your own ukulele please bring it along, but we will also have 20 ‘spare’ ukuleles for people to borrow. BUY […]
Join Mick for enthralling stories for all ages.
Turn an ordinary spoon into an extraordinary character! Join us for a fun, hands on workshop where children and families can create their own unique spoon puppet to take home. […]
Join us for a relaxed, Dementia Friendly Ceilidh with gentle moves and inclusive calling. Krista and the Band are known for their fun, accessible performances with SEN schools and community groups, […]
Manchester’s favourite folk monster, Chimera are known for their infectious energy and driving tunes that will get everyone’s feet tapping. They pride themselves on their exhilarating, playful arrangements that put the punch and drive into dance tunes from across the UK and beyond, and are guaranteed to get you up on your feet and dancing, […]
Folk Introducing Stage, our new showcase for emerging talent was a great success last year, so we are doing it again. If you are a young or emerging musician, we would love to hear from you, sign up to perform on our introducing stage, solos, duos and bands all welcome. We look forward to hearing […]
Each morning, Zoe, Peter, and Evie from Inspiration Creative get all generations singing and dancing together – and wearing some very strange outfits. They are ably supported by our wonderful band-in-residence Giddy Yup and mayhem is provided by the Hooden Horses – the living embodiment of the festival logo and Clarence the Dragon makes a […]
Discover the heritage craft of wood bodging, a traditional rural woodworking skill using green wood and simple hand tools. Learn how to shape practical items and explore a craft rooted […]
The All Ages Activity Gazebo is a welcoming space for festival goers to slow down, connect, and enjoy creative, low-pressure activities away from the hustle and bustle of the main […]
Daily at Bleak House you can join The Broadstairs Knitters for workshops in knitting, crochet and a chat. All are welcome from beginners to experts, yarn, needles and bits, including […]
This fun and inclusive music making workshop is aimed at 7-11 year olds. All abilities are welcome as we unleash our creativity to explore music making using household materials. From […]
Vicki Swan and Jonny Dyer and they are two of the most versatile musicians on the dance circuit today. They are equally at home whether it’s medieval dance, Playford, Regency or modern ceilidh and contra. Vicki studied at the Royal College of Music on the double bass. She plays various types of bagpipes, flute and […]
A relaxed, energetic circus workshop exploring juggling, hoops, ribbons, balancing, stilts, plate spinning, and circus games while developing confidence, coordination, fitness, creativity, and exciting new skills. Ages 6+. BUY TICKETS
Folk Introducing Stage, our new showcase for emerging talent was a great success last year, so we are doing it again. If you are a young or emerging musician, we would love to hear from you, sign up to perform on our introducing stage, solos, duos and bands all welcome. We look forward to hearing […]
Each morning, Zoe, Peter, and Evie from Inspiration Creative get all generations singing and dancing together – and wearing some very strange outfits. They are ably supported by our wonderful band-in-residence Giddy Yup and mayhem is provided by the Hooden Horses – the living embodiment of the festival logo and Clarence the Dragon makes a […]
A fun puppet-making workshop inspired by folk music traditions. Create a simple dancing puppet and junk instrument using everyday materials, then bring them to life through movement and music. Ideal […]
Discover the heritage craft of wood bodging, a traditional rural woodworking skill using green wood and simple hand tools. Learn how to shape practical items and explore a craft rooted […]
The All Ages Activity Gazebo is a welcoming space for festival goers to slow down, connect, and enjoy creative, low-pressure activities away from the hustle and bustle of the main […]
Daily at Bleak House you can join The Broadstairs Knitters for workshops in knitting, crochet and a chat. All are welcome from beginners to experts, yarn, needles and bits, including […]
All workshop participants from the week welcome to join this session and prepare for the workshop show in the afternoon BUY TICKETS
Rejigged Ceilidh Band goes out as a 6-piece Scots Ceilidh band Based in East Kent serving Kent and the Southeast including the near continent. The line-up consists of musicians from: Alan on Flute; Chris on accordion; Sue on bass; Philippa on second accordion, Mike on fiddle; Edward on second fiddle and David on Piano. They […]
Join us for the workshop show and lottery draw, celebrating participants from across the week in a final shared performance. Come and support friends, family, and fellow performers as they […]
Folk Introducing Stage, our new showcase for emerging talent was a great success last year, so we are doing it again. If you are a young or emerging musician, we would love to hear from you, sign up to perform on our introducing stage, solos, duos and bands all welcome. We look forward to hearing […]
MAZAIKA is: The incredible Igor Outkine on Vocals, Accordion and his genre defying, mind blowing Midi Accordion, and versatile and virtuosic violinist Sarah Harrison, who also brings her vocal talents to the proceedings and plays a mean Russian Domra! Known for their dazzling virtuosity, intoxicating passion and spontaneous theatricality and humour Mazaika have spent two […]