Cornwall Folk Festival – Wadebridge, England 2026
Overview
Cornwall Folk Festival is a vibrant celebration of Cornish heritage and folk traditions, transforming the coastal town of Wadebridge into a lively hub of music, dance, and storytelling each summer. Established as an annual bank holiday event, it showcases a dynamic mix of local shanty singers, regional ensembles, and international acts through street performances, workshops, and evening concerts, emphasizing community spirit and cultural preservation. As a not-for-profit gathering, it highlights the “fire, finesse, and fierce beauty” of live folk, from traditional Celtic tunes to alt-folk innovations, drawing families and enthusiasts to revel in Cornwall’s mythic pulse. Visit cornwallfolkfestival.com for full details.
In 2026, the festival continues its tradition of non-stop energy, with sunny lanes echoing shanties, Morris dances, and closing anthems like “Cornwall My Home,” fostering defiant joy amid the town’s historic charm. Attendees immerse in workshops by talents like Tim Edey, communal sessions, and headline gigs featuring rising stars and veterans, all within easy walking distance. It’s a heartfelt collision of creativity and Cornish pride, proving folk’s power to unite under summer skies.
Event Highlights
- Main activities or performances: Over 30 acts across stages, including shanty street gigs, evening concerts in the Town Hall, and the FAR Stage for regional folk from traditional to alt-infused sounds.
- Special traditions or features: Annual closing sing-along of “Cornwall My Home”; Morris dancing by groups like Pensans and Trigg; workshops on Cornish lore with The Piskie Trap and storytelling circles.
- Unique attractions for visitors: Free daytime FAR Stage with food and local bar; street dances and pop-up sessions blending British Isles traditions with global twists; family-friendly crafts and ceilihs.
Why Attend
Cornwall Folk Festival pulses with raw, communal energy, where you can sway to shanties in sun-dappled streets, join a ceilidh under the stars, or craft memories with locals over cider—far from polished arenas, it’s pure, unfiltered folk in Wadebridge’s welcoming embrace. Ideal for families dipping into heritage or seasoned dancers chasing rhythms, the town’s riverside paths and beaches add coastal magic to every melody. Visit cornwallfolkfestival.com for more.
This event’s charitable heart keeps Cornish culture thriving, with every tune supporting workshops and youth performers, turning strangers into singers. You’ll leave humming forgotten reels, bonds forged in shared refrains, and a deeper love for the defiant spirit that makes folk eternal. For anyone craving summer’s sweetest soundscape, it’s Cornwall’s beating heart.
Date and Duration
- Dates: July 23 – July 26, 2026
- Duration: 4 days
Venue and Location
- Main venue: Wadebridge Town Hall, Molesworth Street, Wadebridge, Cornwall PL27 7BS, United Kingdom; the central spot for headline evening concerts and dances with historic acoustics.
- Additional venues: FAR Stage (behind Wadebridge Wines, Eddystone Road, PL27 7AL) for daytime acts; Betjeman Millennium Park and Centre (Station Road, PL27 7BW) for workshops; street venues across the town center for gigs and Morris displays; all within a 5-10 minute walk.
- Google Maps address: Wadebridge Town Hall, Molesworth Street, Wadebridge, Cornwall PL27 7BS, United Kingdom
Ticket Information
- How tickets are sold: Online via cornwallfolkfestival.com/tickets with card payment; in-person at local outlets like Wadebridge Bookshop (cash/card); email for groups or postal; early bird bundles available.
- Admission type: Mostly paid for concerts and workshops; some free street stages and FAR Stage access; under-16s discounted or free with adult.
- Ticket pricing in USD: Weekend passes from $80 to $110; day tickets $30 to $45; child concessions $15 to $25; camping add-ons $40.
- Special seating or VIP options: General admission with optional reserved spots for evenings $10 extra; VIP includes artist Q&As and bar access for $150+.
- Minimum and maximum pricing: Minimum ticket price: $0 (free street events); maximum: $150 (VIP weekend with camping).
- Additional ticket info: Family packs (2 adults + 2 children) at $200; no booking fees; sales open spring 2026; newsletter for priority.
Booking with Euro Travelo
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Contact Information
- Email: info@cornwallfolkfestival.com (for inquiries, tickets, and volunteering).
- Phone: Not specified; contact via email or Wadebridge Town Council +44 1208 812000.
- Website: https://cornwallfolkfestival.com (lineup, tickets, and updates).
- Social Media: @CornwallFolkFestival (TikTok @cff_official25 for clips and announcements).
- Key Staff: Festival organizers via email; patrons like Geoff Lakeman for programming queries.
- Press/Volunteers: Press via info@cornwallfolkfestival.com; volunteer sign-up for stewarding and setup through website form.
- Note: Response time ~24–48 hours; English support; accessibility and camping requests via email.
Getting There
- Nearest airports: Newquay Cornwall Airport (NQY, 25 miles, 40-minute drive) or Exeter (EXT, 80 miles, 1.5-hour drive) with car hire or taxis.
- Public transport: Trains from London Paddington to Bodmin Parkway (4 hours), then Go Cornwall Bus 12 to Wadebridge (30 minutes); local buses from Newquay.
- Parking: Paid at West Hill car park (PL27 7EN, $6/day) or on-street near venues; festival shuttles from outskirts.
- Other access: A39 from Bodmin Moor (10 miles); cycling along Camel Trail; walkable town center with venues clustered.
Accommodation Options
- On-site camping: Festival campsite at nearby fields (TBC, $40/night add-on); basic facilities, family zones, and shuttle to town.
- Hotels: Red River Inn (Viking Way, $100-160/night) or The Malford (Molesworth Street, $90-140/night), central with folk deals.
- Caravan parks: Bodmin Caravan Park (5 miles, $50-70/night) near St Kew; hookups and bus links.
- Other stays: B&Bs like Colquite Farm (4 miles, $80-120/night); Airbnbs in Wadebridge from $70/night; glamping at Polzeath $110-170/night.
Reviews
- Electric vibes on the FAR Stage—shanties and ciders under the sun had everyone hooked; Wadebridge felt alive with folk fire.
- Magical mix of dances and workshops; the closing anthem gave chills, pure Cornish soul in every step.
- Family heaven with street gigs and crafts—discovered hidden talents like The Magpies, left buzzing for more summers.
Maps
Contact
FAQ's
What sets Cornwall Folk Festival apart from other UK folk events?
Cornwall Folk channels defiant Cornish spirit with shanty-packed streets and mythic workshops since its annual bank holiday roots, blending local Morris like Trigg with headliners like The Henry Girls in a compact coastal town—unlike sprawling fields. Free FAR Stage days mix alt-folk to trad, funding heritage via tickets, while sunny lanes amplify the communal roar. Families love ceilihs, night owls the Town Hall gigs. It's a pulsing testament to culture's edge—sign up for 2026 scoops on evolving acts.
How family-friendly is the festival for kids and newcomers?
Thrillingly so—free street dances and gentle workshops introduce folk gently, with under-16s tagging along cheap or free. Safe venues like Betjeman Park host short sessions on Cornish lore, while nearby beaches offer breaks. Volunteers guide beginners through ceilidhs, and diverse lineup from ukuleles to bodhrans sparks wide appeal. Affordable stalls keep tummies happy. It's a joyful heritage hug, turning tots into tunemakers amid Wadebridge's whimsy.
What’s a typical day at the festival like?
Mornings brew with 11 AM workshops at Betjeman, afternoons ignite FAR Stage gigs by noon with food and bar till 6 PM, evenings peak at 7:30 PM Town Hall concerts till 10 PM. Stroll streets for impromptu shanties and Morris, grab pasties between. Apps track 30+ acts across venues, with flexible passes for your flow. Over four days, it's a tidal wave of tunes, twirls, and twilight traditions in Cornwall's glow.
Are there accessibility features for disabilities?
Indeed—venues like Town Hall offer ramps, accessible seating, and hearing aids; volunteers ferry from parking to stages. Companion tickets align with paid, with large-print schedules and quiet zones at FAR Stage. Flat town paths aid wheels, BSL for key gigs on request, bursaries ease costs. Email ahead for bespoke help, weaving everyone into the folk weave comfortably.
How can I volunteer or support the festival?
Volunteering's vital—email info@cornwallfolkfestival.com for bar shifts, stewarding, or workshop aid, snagging free entry and insider bonds with quick onboarding. Donors fuel youth spots via gifts, netting credits and receptions. Locals crew yearly, curating magic from shanty calls to closing anthems. Your spark sustains the pulse—join emails for 2026 roles, etching into Cornwall's folk legacy.
