Sidmouth Folk Festival – where tradition meets the moment, and the old ways still make waves. Since 1955, we’ve been championing folk music, dance, and song by the sea – a celebration that’s rooted in tradition, alive with energy, and full of heart.

It’s an immersive, participative week-long gathering of songs, stories, tunes, and shared culture – deeply rooted, ever-evolving, and open to everyone. Come be part of a living tradition that’s still growing, magical, and very much yours.

Attracting tens of thousands of visitors to the East Devon coast every August, the festival’s long and rich history is part of what makes it unique, and so well-loved by so many.

Purbeck Valley Folk Festival is a small festival set on a farm on the beautiful Jurassic Coastline. We’re a festival that’s loved by everyone because there’s loads for kids to do, loads for parents and loads for the old folkies!

It features outstanding, original young folk, roots and world music. We always encourage the young up and coming musicians too as well as booking national and international folk acts and a good variety of local music. There’s something for everyone.

Three full days of brilliant music across 5 stages (and Thursday evening), music workshops, sessions, Purbeck Rising (bringing new talent to the our stages), Purbeck Poetry Slam, children’s area (climbing wall, archery, crafts, storytelling, puppet shows, theatre/games, circus skills, clowns), youth music workshops, craft area (including pottery, blacksmithing, crochet,  origami, candle, jewellery and tutu making) , healing area, and a few other new bits and pieces here and there.

What makes us so special? Well, Purbeck Valley Folk Festival is set on a unique and compact farm arena with professional stages in barns. It’s a little farm yard so it doesn’t take you ages to walk from one stage to the other, and it’s always easy to find your friends.

And, we’re in the Purbecks so camping is in an idyllic landscape with beautiful views. Parts of the campsite look right across to Corfe Castle.