Folk in the Park – Sutton, England 2026

Overview

Folk in the Park is a vibrant, eco-conscious celebration of folk, roots, and acoustic music in the heart of South London’s Sutton borough, drawing over 2,000 attendees to the award-winning Manor Park for a single Saturday of hand-picked performances, sustainable food stalls, and family-friendly workshops amid the park’s 100+ tree canopy and suburban serenity. Presented by The Sound Lounge, the UK’s first carbon-neutral music venue, this not-for-profit festival, launched in 2023, emphasizes sustainability with plant-based, locally sourced food, compostable packaging, and no single-use plastics, creating a day-long escape that blends music with green living. Building on 2025’s lineup featuring luminaries like Richard Thompson, The Magic Numbers, Tom Robinson Band, Thea Gilmore, and East of Reno, the 2026 edition (likely August 15) promises another curated roster of 11 acts across two stages, fostering an intimate haven where melodies mingle with the Thames’ distant murmur.

What distinguishes Folk in the Park is its green-hearted communal spirit—its carbon-neutral ethos and accessibility through free entry for under-16s ensure inclusivity, while its volunteer-driven setup nurtures a space where strangers bond over Signal Brewery craft beers or sway to Gilmore’s soulful strums, honoring Sutton’s green heritage in a festival that feels like a meadow gathering with global resonance; as a burgeoning tradition, it’s a beacon of sustainability, leaving hearts harmonized and souls refreshed by the park’s shaded embrace. See official site: https://folkinthepark.com/

Event Highlights

• Main activities or performances: 11 hand-picked acts across two stages, featuring folk-rock icons like Richard Thompson’s intricate guitar, The Magic Numbers’ lush harmonies, Tom Robinson Band’s anthemic energy, Thea Gilmore’s poignant lyricism, and East of Reno’s rootsy vibes, with 2026 announcements pending but expected to maintain a similar caliber of national and local talents from 12pm to 9:30pm, guided by the festival program for seamless stage-hopping.
• Special traditions or features: Annual eco-market with plant-based food stalls and locally brewed Signal beers; family workshops and a dedicated kids’ zone; volunteer-driven with a focus on sustainability (compostable packaging, no single-use plastics); ties into Sutton’s green spaces with tree-focused flyers on recycled paper and meet-and-greets with local environmental groups.
• Unique attractions for visitors: The park’s mature tree canopy providing shade for gigs; family-friendly craft workshops and play areas; a compact layout fostering serendipity, from eco-stall browsing to picnic-blanket sessions, in a setting as inviting as its carbon-neutral ethos.

Why attend

Folk in the Park is a soulful serenade in South London’s green heart, where acoustic strums blend with rustling leaves and voices echo under a canopy of oaks, offering a festival that’s less frenzy and more meadow melody—perfect for eco-conscious families and folk fans craving connection over chaos, with its sustainable ethos ensuring accessibility through free youth entry and compostable comforts. Its volunteer-driven spirit transforms Manor Park into a stage where Thompson’s riffs meet Harvieu’s soul in a vibrant tapestry of sound, fostering a space where locals and visitors unite amid craft brews and plant-based bites.

Beyond the music, it’s a catalyst for green kinship: kids crafting in the family zone, strangers sharing picnic blankets under the trees, and the quiet thrill of a sunset set that blends stage and shade; as a not-for-profit beacon, attending sustains Sutton’s eco-legacy, leaving you uplifted, with a program of scribbled setlists and humming tunes on the homeward path—ideal for rediscovering music’s power to gather, groove, and grow in an urban oasis.

Date & Duration

• Date: August 15, 2026 (based on 2025’s mid-August timing; TBC via newsletter)
• Duration: 1 day (12pm–9:30pm)

Venue / Location

• Primary venue: Manor Park, hosting two stages, eco-market, family zones, and food/drink stalls
• Additional locations: All within Manor Park’s green space; no off-site venues
• Main Google location address: Manor Park, Throwley Way, Sutton, SM1 4AH, United Kingdom

Ticket Information

• Purchase: Online via Vivenu (vivenu.com/event/folk-in-the-park-2025-m2p36x) or at the gate; early bird pricing available; contact for accessibility bookings.
• Admission: Paid; all-ages with some adult content; under-16s free with adult (ticket required).
• Ticket pricing: Early bird from £0 (concessions); standard ~$22-$33 USD (£17-£25); family bundles ~$65-$91 USD (£50-£70).
• Special seating or VIP options: No formal VIP; accessibility via email for carers’ passes or needs (e.g., Blue Badge seating); grass areas may be uneven.
• Minimum and maximum ticket price range: Minimum £0 (concessions); Maximum ~$91 USD (£70, family bundle).

Booking with Euro Travelo

Planning to enjoy this music festival without the stress? Euro Travelo can help you book tickets, organize travel, and handle your entire trip from start to finish. Whether it’s a vibrant music festival, live concert, or cultural celebration, our team ensures a smooth experience for music lovers across Europe. Contact Euro Travelo today to secure your festival tickets and travel arrangements.

Contact Information

• Email: info@folkinthepark.com (general inquiries, tickets, accessibility).
• Phone: Not specified; use email or contact form (folkinthepark.com/contact).
• Website: https://folkinthepark.com (lineup, tickets, FAQs).
• Social media: @folkinthepark (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram).
• Key staff: The Sound Lounge team—contact via email.
• Press/Volunteers: Press and market stall inquiries via contact form; volunteer opportunities via contact form (open for stewards).
• Note: Response time ~24–48 hours. English support; mailing list for updates.

Getting There

• Nearest airports: London Heathrow (LHR, ~20 miles/45-min drive); London Gatwick (LGW, ~30 miles/1-hour drive).
• Public transport:
  • Trains to Sutton Station (0.5 miles/10-min walk, ~30 mins from London Victoria).
  • Buses 80/151/164/213/280/407/413/470/613/N44/S1/S3/S4 to Manor Park (~5 mins).
  • Underground: Morden Station (Northern Line, 15-min bus ride via 164/80).
• Parking:
  • Times Square Multi-Storey Car Park (Throwley Way, SM1 4AU, ~£3/day, ~$3.90 USD, extended to 10:30pm, Throwley entrance/exit only).
  • St Nicholas Centre Car Park (St Nicholas Way, SM1 1AY, ~£3/day, ~$3.90 USD).
• Driving directions: From A217 (London to Sutton), follow Throwley Way to Manor Park; sat-nav SM1 4AH; ~1 hour from London.

Accommodation Options

• On-site camping: Not available; town-based.
• Glamping and VIP: No; some hotels offer packages.
• Nearby hotels:
  • Holiday Inn London-Sutton (1 mile, pool access, ~$130 USD/night).
  • Premier Inn Sutton (0.5 miles, budget WiFi, ~$91 USD/night); book via Booking.com.
• Local B&Bs and rentals:
  • The Crescent Hotel (0.3 miles, garden views, ~$110 USD/night).
  • Airbnb apartments in Carshalton (2 miles, ~$150 USD/night); 20+ options—book early for August.

Reviews

• Manor Park resonated—Thompson’s riffs a triumph, family zone a delight, and Sutton’s green ethos warm; urban folk haven.
• Magic Numbers soared—diverse lineup a joy, easy stage hops, and tree shade magic; back for the harmony.
• Workshops sparked joy, sets soulful; eco-stalls a gem, and park’s canopy gold—timeless London reel.