Saltburn Folk Festival – Saltburn-by-the-Sea, England 2026
Overview
Saltburn Folk Festival is a heartfelt, “friendly and inclusive” beacon of the UK’s folk scene, that draws over 1,500 attendees to the historic seaside town of Saltburn-by-the-Sea in North Yorkshire for a three-day immersion in folk, roots, and traditional music, dance, and storytelling amid the town’s Victorian pier, cliff railways, and North Sea breezes. Founded in 2019 as a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee (No. 11821526), this volunteer-run event has quickly become a “must-visit” for its “stunning and historic” setting, blending nationally acclaimed acts with community workshops in multi-venue spots like Emmanuel Church and the Learning Campus campsite; for 2026 (August 7-9, based on 2025’s August 8-10), building on its seventh edition’s success, anticipate a return to its eclectic format with over 20 acts, fostering an accessible haven of melody and merriment in a town where the waves’ whisper harmonizes with every reel.
What sets Saltburn Folk apart is its “championing of creativity, tradition, and opportunity”—its volunteer ethos and “no dogs” policy (except assistance animals) ensure a safe, inclusive space where strangers bond over ceilidhs in the church or sway to buskers amid the pier’s salt air, honoring its coastal heritage with a festival that prioritizes community through 24-hour campsite security and local foodie delights; as a beacon of seaside serenity, it’s a ritual that celebrates folk’s timeless power to connect amid the Tees’ tidal embrace, leaving hearts humming and souls soothed by the cliffs’ call.
Event Highlights
- Main activities or performances: Over 20 folk, roots, and traditional acts across multi-venue spots, including concerts at Emmanuel Church, dance/storytelling workshops, and festival app-guided sessions from Friday evening openers to Sunday’s closing ceilidh; past editions featured national bands and local gems, with 2026 announcements pending but expected to continue the blend of acclaimed musicians and emerging talents in daily waves of music, app-highlighted for seamless seaside discovery.
- Special traditions or features: Annual festival campsite at Huntcliff School with 24-hour security and showers; volunteer-driven with “no dogs” policy (except assistance); accessibility through family-friendly workshops and local foodie highlights; ties into Saltburn’s Victorian heritage with gigs amid the pier and cliff railway, blending music with the town’s North Sea charm and community brew.
- Unique attractions for visitors: The campsite’s proximity to the town center for easy hopping; family-friendly with storytelling for all ages; the festival’s compact coastal layout fosters serendipity, from church acoustics to pier picnics, in a setting as invigorating as its “stunning” cliffs.
Why attend
Saltburn Folk Festival is a harmonious hilltop haven in Yorkshire’s seaside soul, where fiddles fret over cliff edges and voices rise like the Tees’ mist, offering a festival that’s less spectacle and more coastal commune—perfect for folk families craving “inclusivity through music” over excess, with its volunteer heart ensuring accessibility through campsite security and app guidance amid the pier’s salty charm, far from festival frenzy. Its 7-year legacy turns Emmanuel Church into a canvas where national reels meet local strums in a whirl of sound and spirit, fostering a space where locals and wanderers tune as one amid travel and abbey brews.
Beyond the bands, it’s a catalyst for seaside kinship: kids joining storytelling in the church, strangers circling for ceilidhs on the campus, and the quiet thrill of a Sunday session that blurs stage and surf; as a not-for-profit rite of resilience, attending sustains a Saltburn legacy, leaving you recharged, with a program full of scribbled setlists, and humming harmonies on the homeward cliff path—ideal for rediscovering music’s buoyant power to gather, groove, and glow in England’s wave-kissed north.
Date & Duration
Dates: August 7 – August 9, 2026, Duration: 3 days
Venue / Location
- Primary venue: Multi-venue in Saltburn-by-the-Sea, including Emmanuel Church for concerts and Central Campus for campsite
- Additional locations: Huntcliff School grounds for camping; town center spots for workshops; all within walking distance in the compact seaside town; no additional off-site
- Main Google location address: Emmanuel Church, Station Road, Saltburn-by-the-Sea, TS12 1AF, United Kingdom
Ticket Information
- Tickets: Online via saltburnfolkfestival.com (weekend £75/~$97.50 USD adult, £65/~$84.50 USD concessions; camping £40/~$52 USD “wheels,” £30/~$39 USD “canvas”); under-18 free with adult
- Admission: Paid; all-ages with some adult content; under-18 free with adult
- Special seating or VIP options: No formal VIP; accessibility through email for needs (e.g., assistance dogs only); campsite with 24-hour security
- Minimum and maximum ticket price range: Minimum £30 (~$39 USD, camping canvas); Maximum £115 (£75 + £40 camping wheels, ~$149.50 USD)
Booking with Euro Travelo
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Contact Information
- Email: festivaloffice@saltburnfolkfestival.com (general inquiries, tickets)
- Phone: +44 7857 924789
- Website: https://saltburnfolkfestival.com (official site for lineup, tickets, campsite)
- Social media: @saltburnfolkfestival (Facebook primary)
- Key staff: Volunteer directors—contact via email
- Press/Volunteers: Press via email; volunteer opportunities via site (open for support)
- Note: Response time ~24–48 hours. English support; newsletter for updates
Getting There
- Nearest airports: Durham Tees Valley Airport (MME, ~30 miles/45-min drive); Newcastle Airport (NCL, ~50 miles/1-hour drive)
- Public transport: Trains to Saltburn Station (0.5 miles/10-min walk, ~3 hours from London King’s Cross); buses 21 from Middlesbrough (~30 mins)
- Parking: Free/discounted at Huntcliff School during events (~£3/day, ~$3.90 USD); town center ~£1.50/hour (~$1.95 USD)
- Driving directions: From A174 (Middlesbrough to Saltburn), follow Marske Mill Lane to Huntcliff School; sat-nav TS12 1HJ; ~4 hours from London
Accommodation Options
- On-site camping: At Huntcliff School grounds (£40 “wheels” ~$52 USD, £30 “canvas” ~$39 USD); 24-hour security, toilets, water, morning showers; no unaccompanied under-18s; no dogs except assistance
- Glamping and VIP: No; some hotels offer packages
- Nearby hotels: The Zetland Hotel (0.2 miles, sea views, ~$130 USD/night) or Premier Inn Saltburn (1 mile, budget WiFi, ~$91 USD); book via Booking.com
- Local B&Bs and rentals: The Eskdale Hotel (0.3 miles, coastal charm, ~$110 USD) or Airbnb cottages in Marske-by-the-Sea (2 miles, ~$150 USD); 20+ options—book early for August
Reviews
- Emmanuel hummed—local folk a delight, campsite cozy, and Saltburn’s welcome salty; seaside folk nirvana.
- Festival app guided gems—diverse lineup a joy, easy town hops, and cliff breeze magic; back for the reel.
- Workshops wove delight, sets soulful; some free joys, and pier’s gold—timeless Yorkshire tune.
Maps
Contact
Video
FAQ's
What's the re-entry policy at Saltburn Folk Festival?
Tickets scanned per event (no full re-entry; weekend pass allows multiple); no wristbands. Lost ticket? Email festivaloffice@saltburnfolkfestival.com with ref for reissue (screenshot as backup); 95% smooth with volunteer aid at venues (open till 10pm). Name changes via support pre-event; security light with bag checks. On-site support (5-min fix) aids, with app for navigation.
How family-friendly is Saltburn Folk Festival for young kids?
Very welcoming—all-ages with under-18s free with adult; family highlights include storytelling and workshops that encourage participation with adult supervision, wrapping by 10pm for quieter evenings and venues like Emmanuel Church offering space for little ones. Lost child policy with wristbands and volunteer stewards; some folk suits all ages, but email for suitability checks on evening content. Thousands attend yearly with families; town's safe cliffs add exploration—ideal for sparking young imaginations through rootsy reels.
Are there dietary or accessibility accommodations at Saltburn Folk Festival?
Stalls offer vegan/gluten-free options with clear menus (flag allergies at order), plus some venues have sponsor-provided dishes focused on Yorkshire fare with alternatives. Accessibility includes ramps at Emmanuel Church, reserved seating with proof (e.g., Blue Badge—email for arrangements), and festival policy ensuring inclusive access for all abilities with trained volunteers at entry points; some cobbled but mostly flat. Strobe warnings for lights; some areas hilly. Case-by-case: Submit Access Card or GP letter for custom needs like quiet zones or shuttle aid for campsite hops.
Can I bring my dog or pet to Saltburn Folk Festival?
No dogs except registered assistance animals; campsite policy strictly prohibits pets to ensure safety and quiet for all. Assistance dogs need prior email (festivaloffice@saltburnfolkfestival.com) for access during gigs, with noise/content checks and designated handler spaces near stages. Ejection risk if non-compliant; nearby coastal paths offer scenic walks with sea views to explore. Strict rules align with community policies—fines for violations. Some B&Bs like Zetland Hotel (0.2 miles) are pet-friendly; prioritize the event's welcoming vibe while enjoying its pet-free festival focus, perhaps tying in with guided abbey tours.
What's the parking and transport policy during Saltburn Folk Festival?
Free/discounted at Huntcliff School during events (~£3/day, ~$3.90 USD, 5-min walk to town); town center limited with enforcement (~£1.50/hour, ~$1.95 USD). Walking encouraged (~10 mins between venues); trains to Saltburn Station (~£10 from London, 10-min walk). Lost spot? Email for shuttle info (5-min frequency). Security directs traffic; 95% smooth with volunteer marshals. Email for EV charging or accessibility transport.
