Ely Folk Festival – Ely, England 2026
Overview
Ely Folk Festival is a beloved, bijou gathering of folk and roots music enthusiasts on the edge of the Fens, drawing over 2,000 attendees to the rural Stuntney Estate for a three-day immersion in melodic storytelling, acoustic harmonies, and communal joy amid the cathedral city’s ethereal skyline and whispering reed beds. Celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2026, this not-for-profit CIC (Company No. 07499900)—founded in 1985—has become a hallmark of the Cambridgeshire scene, blending intimate concerts, workshops, and ceilidhs with family-friendly activities like kids’ zones and morris dancing, all while championing sustainability through carbon offsetting and low-waste initiatives; with a 2026 lineup preview featuring folk legends like Gigspanner Big Band, Grace Petrie, Boo Hewerdine, Brooks Williams, Seize the Day, and Hannah Sanders & Ben Savage Band, it’s a festival that captures the genre’s earthy soul in an accessible, enchanting setting.
What captivates is its heartfelt commitment to community and ecology—volunteer-run with accessibility at its core, from free shuttle buses to hybrid ticketing via Klarna, it transforms gently sloping fields into a haven where emerging artists share stages with icons, fostering inclusivity through diverse engagement; as a beacon for 40 years, it nurtures local talent while mitigating its ~30-tonne carbon footprint, creating an unpretentious rite where the Fenland breeze carries every strum, leaving souls soothed and spirits lifted by folk’s timeless communal embrace. See official site: https://elyfolkfestival.co.uk/
Event Highlights
- Main activities or performances: Over 20 acts across three stages, including headline concerts, ceilidhs, and workshops; 2026 previews include Gigspanner Big Band’s instrumental prowess, Grace Petrie’s protest anthems, Boo Hewerdine’s heartfelt songcraft, Brooks Williams’ bluesy acoustics, Seize the Day’s radical folk, and Hannah Sanders & Ben Savage Band’s rootsy harmonies, with more announcements pending; daily waves from Friday evening openers to Sunday encores, app-guided for seamless discovery.
- Special traditions or features: Annual 40th anniversary nods to its 1985 origins; carbon offsetting via Make It Wild partnerships; volunteer-powered with stewardship calls; sustainability focus on waste/recycling and travel incentives; ties into Ely’s cathedral heritage with folk echoing through reed-fringed fields, blending music with eco-education.
- Unique attractions for visitors: On-site camping with real ale bar and kids’ activities; free shuttle from city center/station; accessibility with reserved disabled spaces and hybrid vehicles; the festival’s intimate scale fosters serendipitous finds, from morris dances to family ceilidhs, in a setting as ethereal as the Fens themselves.
Why attend
Ely Folk Festival is a gentle Fenland reverie, where fiddles murmur through mist-shrouded reeds and voices rise like cathedral spires, offering a festival that’s less spectacle and more soulful sojourn—perfect for accessibility advocates and folk purists craving intimacy over intensity, with its not-for-profit ethos ensuring every donation fuels dreams, far from festival overload. Its 40-year legacy and eco-commitment make it a beacon for all ages, turning Stuntney’s fields into a canvas where Gigspanner’s strings entwine with Grace Petrie’s fire, all while the shuttle glides like a whisper.
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Beyond the bands, it’s a catalyst for kinship: locals leading workshops for wide-eyed youth, strangers circling for ceilidhs under starlit tents, and the quiet thrill of a carbon-neutral harmony echoing Ely’s ancient aura; as a CIC sanctuary for sustainability, attending sustains a living legacy, leaving you recharged, with a program full of scribbled lyrics, and humming reels on the homeward path—ideal for rediscovering folk’s buoyant power to gather, heal, and harmonize in England’s watery heart.
Date & Duration
Dates: July 10 – July 12, 2026, Duration: 3 days
Venue / Location
Stuntney Estate serves as the primary venue, with main arena, camping fields, and stages on gently sloping agricultural land; free shuttle to Ely city center and rail station; no additional off-site. Main Google location address: Stuntney Estate, Soham Road, Ely, Cambridgeshire CB7 5TR, United Kingdom
Ticket Information
- Tickets sold online via the official site (elyfolkfestival.co.uk/tickets) with Klarna for pay-later options; early bird pricing available; book camping pitches with weekend tickets.
- Admission paid; all-ages with some adult content; under-12s free but require tickets for entry.
- Ticket pricing: Early bird weekend tickets range from £125 adult (~$163 USD) to £115 concession (~$150 USD), £42 youth 12-17 (~$55 USD), free under-12; day tickets Friday £34 adult (~$44 USD), Saturday £64 (~$84 USD), Sunday £62 (~$81 USD); camping add-ons £30 tent pitch (~$39 USD), £52 caravan (~$68 USD).
- Special seating or VIP options: Reserved disabled camping/parking (phone 07763 207603 post-booking with proof like Blue Badge); accessibility via shuttle (wheelchair capacity).
- Minimum and maximum ticket price: Minimum £0 (under-12 weekend ticket); Maximum £177 (£125 adult + £52 campervan pitch, ~$231 USD).
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Contact Information
- Email: enquiries@elyfolkfestival.co.uk (general); boxoffice@elyfolkfestival.co.uk (tickets); artists@elyfolkfestival.co.uk (performers); dance@elyfolkfestival.co.uk (morris); kids@elyfolkfestival.co.uk (children’s); traders@elyfolkfestival.co.uk (traders); stewards@elyfolkfestival.co.uk (volunteers); marketing@elyfolkfestival.co.uk (sponsorship).
- Phone: 07763 207603 (box office/disabled booking).
- Website: https://elyfolkfestival.co.uk (official site for tickets, lineup, info).
- Social Media: @elyfolkfestival (Facebook primary).
- Key Staff: Not specified; volunteer team—patience appreciated.
- Press/Volunteers: Press via enquiries@; volunteer applications via stewards@ (more on Get Involved page).
- Note: Response time ~24–48 hours. English support; newsletter for updates.
Getting There
- Nearest airports: Cambridge Airport (CBG, ~15 miles/30-min drive); Stansted Airport (STN, ~40 miles/1-hour drive).
- Public transport: Trains to Ely Station (2 miles/40-min walk or 10-min bus, ~1 hour from London King’s Cross); free shuttle Friday 12:30-00:30, Saturday/Sunday 10:00-00:30 from station/city center (every 30 mins, wheelchair capacity).
- Parking: Free on-site for ticket holders; reserved disabled spots (phone post-booking); no cars next to tents—drop-off only.
- Driving directions: From A10 (Cambridge to Ely), turn onto A142 Soham Road; sat-nav CB7 5TR; ~1.5 hours from London; car share via liftshare.com encouraged.
Accommodation Options
- On-site camping: Available with weekend tickets on festival fields; £30 tent pitch (~$39 USD), £52 caravan/campervan (~$68 USD); drive-up drop-off, then park separately; disabled spaces (phone 07763 207603).
- Glamping and VIP: No formal; some B&Bs offer packages.
- Nearby hotels: Cathedral House (2 miles, views/breakfast, ~$130 USD/night) or Premier Inn Ely (1 mile, budget WiFi, ~$91 USD); book via Booking.com.
- Local B&Bs and rentals: Two Acres Caravan Park (5 miles, private camping alternative, ~$50 USD/night) or Airbnb cottages in Littleport (8 miles, ~$150 USD); 20+ options—book early for July.
Reviews
- Gigspanner’s strings enchanted—intimate fields amplified the folk, kids’ zones a hit, and Ely’s mist a muse; bijou bliss.
- Grace Petrie’s fire roared—diverse lineup a joy, shuttle seamless, and sustainability shine; back for the roots.
- Workshops wove delight, ceilidhs swirled; some free joys, and Fens’ whisper gold—timeless Cambridgeshire tune.
Maps
Contact
Video
FAQ's
What's the re-entry policy at Ely Folk Festival?
Wristbands (issued at entry) allow re-entry all weekend across site (scan at gates); no vehicle re-parking—cars to designated lot after drop-off. Lost wristband? Email boxoffice@elyfolkfestival.co.uk with ref for replacement (screenshot ticket as backup); 95% smooth with steward aid at gates (open till midnight). Name changes N/A post-booking; security light with bag checks. On-site support (10-min resolution) aids, with shuttle for town hops.
How family-friendly is Ely Folk Festival for young kids?
Exceptionally welcoming—all-ages with free entry for under-12s (ticket required for access); family highlights include kids' zones with activities, storytelling, and ceilidhs that encourage participation with adult supervision, wrapping by 11pm for quieter nights and venues like main arena offering space for little ones. Lost child policy with wristbands and volunteer stewards per safeguarding guidelines; some folk suits all ages, but email kids@ for suitability checks on evening sets. Thousands attend yearly with families; site's gentle slopes and short walks add exploration—ideal for sparking young imaginations through morris dances and harmony sessions.
Are there dietary or accessibility accommodations at Ely Folk Festival?
Food stalls offer vegan/gluten-free options with clear menus (flag allergies at purchase), plus some venues like main arena have sponsor-provided dishes focused on local Cambs fare with alternatives. Accessibility includes free shuttle with wheelchair capacity, reserved disabled camping/parking (phone 07763 207603 post-booking with proof like Blue Badge), and CIC policy ensuring inclusive access for all abilities with trained volunteers at entry points; fields gently sloping but trackway-laid, with changing facilities on-site. Strobe warnings for lights; some areas muddy post-rain. Case-by-case: Submit Access Card or GP letter for custom needs like quiet zones or hybrid vehicle charging.
Can I bring my dog or pet to Ely Folk Festival?
Dogs welcomed on leads in camping fields with immediate cleanup required to respect the rural site, crowds, and livestock nearby; assistance dogs need prior email (enquiries@elyfolkfestival.co.uk) for venue access during gigs, noise/content checks, and are permitted throughout with designated handler spaces near stages. Ejection risk if uncontrolled near performers or families; nearby Fen trails offer scenic walks with reed views to explore. Strict rules align with safeguarding policies—fines for non-compliance to maintain the festival's harmonious, inclusive spirit. Some B&Bs like Cathedral House (2 miles) are pet-friendly; prioritize the event's welcoming vibe while enjoying its pet-tolerant field charm, perhaps tying in with guided reed-bed tours.
What's the parking and transport policy during Ely Folk Festival?
Free on-site parking for ticket holders (drop-off at camping, then lot); reserved disabled spots (phone post-booking with Blue Badge); no cars next to tents for safety. Free shuttle every 30 mins from city center/station (Friday 12:30-00:30, Sat/Sun 10:00-00:30, wheelchair capacity). Lost spot? Email for car share via liftshare.com. Security directs traffic; 95% smooth with volunteer marshals. Email for EV charging or accessibility hybrid info; walk ~50 mins from center.
