Looking forward to Sidmouth Fest

BLOW away the winter blues with a look ahead to summer and in particular Sidmouth Folk Festival, Devon’s week-long seaside celebration of folk music, song and dance, that has just announced its first wave of performers for 2026.

- BY CLARE ROBINSON

Fisherman's Friends; and left, a lantern parade

(KYLE BAKER)

Returning from July 31 to August 7, the cherished annual event continues its proud seven-decade legacy with a top-class feast of concerts, ceilidhs, workshops, talks, sessions, morris dancing, a free children’s festival and the immersive youth programme Shooting Roots, to delight and unite everyone visiting or living in the picturesque Regency town.

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.

This year is no exception, with organisers putting together a lineup 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.