Chippenham Folk Festival – Chippenham, England 2026

Overview

Chippenham Folk Festival 2026 marks the 56th edition of this beloved Wiltshire tradition, a vibrant four-day immersion in English folk music, dance, and storytelling that transforms the historic market town of Chippenham into a lively cultural crossroads from Friday to Monday in late May. Founded in 1971 as a community-driven gathering, it celebrates its roots with over 200 events across 20+ town-center venues, blending traditional Morris dances and sea shanties with contemporary folk fusion, drawing thousands to workshops, ceilidhs, and family-friendly spectacles along the River Avon.

Organized by the Chippenham Folk Festival Community Interest Company (CIC), the event fosters inclusivity and local pride, featuring free community stages at Island Park, intimate pub sessions, and headline concerts that spotlight emerging UK talents alongside seasoned artists. Amid blooming spring countryside and quaint Georgian architecture, attendees enjoy a “village atmosphere” that’s welcoming to all—perfect for discovering harmonies in community choirs or twirling through barn dances—while supporting the town’s economy through volunteer-led operations and sustainable practices.

Event Highlights

• Main activities or performances: Headline concerts and ceilidhs at venues like the Masonic Centre and Town Hall, workshops on harmonizing sing-alongs and instrument sessions, plus youth storytelling and puppet shows; expect progressive folk sets, dance displays, and spoken-word explorations of local lore.
• Special traditions or features: Annual Morris processions and community parades through High Street and Borough Parade, family zones with under-5s musical play, and the festival’s signature “session beer tent” for casual jamming; volunteer stewards enhance the grassroots vibe.
• Unique attractions for visitors: Riverside community stages at Island Park with free gigs and picnics, craft workshops for traditional toys, and accessible dance tents; eco-friendly initiatives like reduced plastics and local sourcing, making it a joyful, low-key folk haven.

About This Event

• Four-day town-wide festival celebrating traditional and contemporary English folk music, dance, song, and storytelling.
• Organized by Chippenham Folk Festival C.I.C. (Company No. 9499889), a community interest company since 1971.
• Held in Chippenham, Wiltshire—a historic market town with Georgian charm, riverside parks, and easy access to the Cotswolds.
• Features 200+ events across 20+ venues including pubs (e.g., Rose and Crown, Three Crowns), churches (St. Paul’s), and outdoor spots like Island Park.
• Emphasizes family and community with free kids’ entry/activities, workshops for all levels, and volunteer involvement.
• Attracts diverse crowds for an inclusive, action-packed weekend that boosts local vitality.
• Builds on 50th anniversary legacy with resilient, volunteer-powered programming.

Why Attend

Chippenham Folk Festival 2026 is a springtime symphony of soul-stirring folk in Wiltshire’s blooming embrace, where the strum of guitars and clatter of clogs invite you to weave into a tapestry of tradition and togetherness that’s as refreshing as the River Avon’s gentle flow. From dawn harmonizing sessions in cozy pubs to sunset ceilidhs under lantern glow, it’s an effortless entry to folk’s magic—ideal for families crafting with kids or solo travelers sparking chats over cider in the session tent.

This event shines for its unpretentious warmth, turning strangers into sing-along partners amid Chippenham’s storybook streets, while nurturing skills like barn dancing or shanty-leading that linger beyond the weekend. In a world of fleeting gigs, attending here roots you in authentic heritage with a modern twist, fostering joy, creativity, and connections that echo like a well-tuned fiddle—making it a must for folk novices and devotees alike.

Date & Duration

• Dates: May 22 – May 25, 2026.
• Duration: 4 days.

Venue / Location

• City: Chippenham, England.
• Main Venue: Multiple town-center spots including The Cause Music and Arts Centre (main hub), Masonic Centre (concerts), St. Paul’s Church (workshops), and Island Park (outdoor stages).
• Notable Areas: Riverside Island Park for free community gigs and beer tent, High Street Bridge and Borough Parade for parades, pub barns like Old Road Tavern for sessions, and The Buttercross for street performances.
• Google Maps Address: The Cause Music and Arts Centre, The Causeway, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN15 3DD.

Ticket Information

• How tickets are sold: Online via chippfolk.co.uk or Mudchutney collections; season passes for full access, day tickets available; collect at box office or venues.
• Admission: Paid for main events; many sessions and kids’ activities free.
• Ticket Price Range: $80–$200 USD (estimated season ~£60–£160 based on prior years; day ~£25/$32; under-10s free, concessions for students/seniors—confirm on site as 2026 sales pending).
• Special Seating/VIP Options: Family bundles and accessibility passes via email; early bird via newsletter for priority; group discounts for workshops/ceilidhs.

Booking with Euro Travelo

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Contact Information

• Email: info@chippfolk.co.uk (general inquiries); ContactUs@chippfolk.co.uk (main festival queries).
• Phone: +44 1249 657190.
• Website: chippfolk.co.uk.
• Social Media: @chippfolk (Facebook, Instagram) for updates, galleries, and newsletter sign-ups.
• Key Staff: Festival team via The Cause; volunteers for operations.
• Press/Volunteers: Press via info email; get involved through “Get Involved” page for stewarding or programming.
• Note: Response time ~48 hours due to high volume; English support; sign up for Talking Folk newsletter for 2026 alerts.

Getting There

• Nearest Airports: Bristol (BRS, ~25 miles, 40-min drive); London Heathrow (LHR, ~80 miles, 1.5-hour drive/train).
• Public Transport: Train to Chippenham Station (from London Paddington ~1 hour), then 10-min walk to town center; buses from Bath or Swindon.
• Parking: Long-term options like Bath Road, Sadlers Mead, and Spanbourn Avenue car parks (with EV chargers); short-term at Emery Gate and Borough Parade; festival directs via Google Maps links.
• Access: From M4 Junction 17, follow A350 south; pedestrian-friendly town with riverside paths; bike racks at venues.

Accommodation Options

• Luxury Hotels: The Bell Inn (~0.5 miles, historic riverside coaching inn with fine dining); Alexander House (~1 mile, boutique Georgian elegance).
• Mid-Range Hotels: Premier Inn Chippenham (~0.3 miles, modern comforts near station); The Cat & Wheel (~0.2 miles, pub-hotel with character rooms).
• Budget Options: Travelodge Chippenham (~1 mile, affordable basics); YHA Bath (nearby, ~15 miles, hostel for groups).
• Other Options: Riverside camping/caravanning for season holders (~£20/person weekend, kids half-price); Airbnbs in town (~£70–£150/night); B&Bs like Rose and Crown for cozy stays.
• Booking Tip: Book 4–6 months ahead for May bank holiday; Euro Travelo packages include train + camping for festival immersion.

Reviews

• Chippenham buzzed with fiddles and foot-stomps—loved the riverside ceilidhs and free kids’ crafts!
• Intimate pub sessions felt like home; I discovered brilliant local acts amid spring sunshine.
• Family paradise: parades and workshops kept everyone dancing—pure folk joy without the crowds!