Tredegar House Folk Festival – Newport, Wales 2026
Overview
The Tredegar House Folk Festival, an enchanting annual celebration of traditional and contemporary folk music and dance, has been captivating audiences in the opulent grounds of the 17th-century Tredegar House since its inception in the 1990s. Set in Newport’s National Trust estate amid manicured gardens and historic stables, this three-day weekend event draws over 5,000 attendees for a joyful mix of headlining performances, workshops, and community sing-alongs, blending Celtic roots with global influences. With a commitment to accessibility, it offers a blend of ticketed concerts and free activities, fostering a vibrant atmosphere where families and folk purists alike revel in the timeless spirit of the genre.
Music forms the festival’s beating heart, featuring powerhouse acts like Steve Knightley and Phil Beer (of Show of Hands), soaring vocals from Sam Kelly, and rising stars like The Haar and Heron Valley, alongside dance parades and ceilidhs that echo across the estate. Amid Newport’s coastal charm, it not only spotlights emerging talents through singer-songwriter competitions but also supports local charities and the Welsh arts scene, creating a welcoming haven where melodies mingle with the rustle of ancient oaks and the laughter of dancers.
Event Highlights
- Main activities or performances: Headlining folk concerts with artists like Show of Hands, Sam Kelly, The Haar, and Heron Valley; singer-songwriter competitions with main-stage prizes; ceilidhs, folk clubs, and open mics; dance displays in dedicated marquees.
- Special traditions or features: Grand Saturday parade of international dance troupes; CAMRA real ale and cider bar enhancing the social vibe; free entry to Tredegar House and gardens with every ticket; over 30 years of growth, attracting UK and European performers.
- Unique attractions for visitors: Interactive workshops like Middle Eastern dance or folk song circles; family-friendly folk clubs with local performers like Jeff Japers; scenic estate picnics blending music with historic tours of the Morgan family mansion.
About This Event
- Founded in the 1990s to revive folk traditions in South Wales, now a staple of the UK’s folk calendar with 30+ years of history.
- Attracts 5,000+ visitors annually, featuring 20+ acts, 50+ workshops, and 100+ dance participants from across Europe.
- Emphasizes inclusivity with free events comprising 60% of the program, including parades and folk clubs.
- Supports emerging talent via singer-songwriter contests, with winners securing paid slots and exposure.
- Held entirely on the 90-acre Tredegar House estate, blending music with heritage site exploration.
- Generates community impact through charity donations and local business tie-ins like the real ale bar.
- Showcases diverse folk styles from Celtic ballads to Irish jigs, with international dance troupes adding global flair.
- Includes eco-friendly initiatives like reusable cups and partnerships with National Trust for sustainable staging.
Why Attend
The Tredegar House Folk Festival is a soul-stirring immersion where the twang of an acoustic guitar meets the stomp of a ceilidh dance under the estate’s sprawling oaks, offering a weekend escape that feels like a warm embrace from Wales’ folk soul. Picture swaying to Show of Hands’ anthems on the main stage, then joining a workshop to strum alongside Sam Kelly—it’s a place where barriers dissolve, and strangers become chorus mates amid Newport’s gentle hills and sea breezes, reigniting that primal joy of shared song.
Enjoy Your Event Stress-Free with Euro Travelo
Planning a trip to attend a festival, concert, or business event in Europe can be overwhelming—tickets, travel, accommodation, and local logistics all take time and effort. Euro Travelo makes it simple by providing everything you need through one trusted company. You save time, avoid stress, and enjoy a seamless experience from start to finish.
Why Choose Euro Travelo:
- Secure and easy ticket booking for concerts, festivals, theaters, and business events.
- Complete travel planning including flights, trains, and local transportation.
- Accommodation arrangements near event venues, tailored to your needs.
- Convenient local transfers, from airport pickups to private shuttles.
- On-site concierge support to help you navigate venues and schedules.
- Custom itineraries and experience packages combining multiple events, tours, and activities.
- Secure payment process, making it safe and convenient to book all services online.
- Flexibility: even if you need only one service, we can assist individually.
Beyond the sets, the festival’s intimate scale and free elements create lasting bonds, from family parades to fireside sing-arounds, paired with lazy afternoons exploring the mansion’s gilded halls. For folk devotees, dance enthusiasts, or weekend warriors, Tredegar House delivers unpretentious magic—affordable, heartfelt, and alive with heritage—proving that in South Wales, the best harmonies bloom in the garden of community.
Date & Duration
- Dates: dates to be announced
Venue / Location
- Main venue: Tredegar House Park, Newport, NP10 8TW, Wales
- Additional venues: Marcus Music Marquee for dance and workshops; Community Centre for folk clubs; main festival field for parades
- Google Maps address: Tredegar House, Newport NP10 8TW, UK
Ticket Information
- Tickets sold online via ticketsource.co.uk or the official website; on-site availability limited.
- Admission mix of free (parades, workshops, dance displays) and paid (concerts, camping).
- Pricing in USD: Minimum $0 (free events), Maximum $91 (based on £0–£70 GBP for weekend tickets; day passes $32-$39, camping add-on $13-$26).
- Special options include family bundles and campervan/tent pitches; all tickets grant free entry to Tredegar House and gardens.
- E-tickets emailed; advance booking for camping (vacate by 11am Monday); refunds per terms.
- Singer-songwriter entry free with prizes including main-stage slots.
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: susieoates135@hotmail.com (general inquiries and bookings).
- Phone: Not specified; use email or website contact form.
- Website: https://www.tredegarhousefestival.org.uk (official site for programme, tickets, and updates).
- Social Media: @TredegarHouseFolkFestival (Facebook for announcements and community).
- Key Staff: Susie Oates (organizer and primary contact).
- Press/Volunteers: Email susieoates135@hotmail.com for press or volunteer opportunities (TBD for 2026).
- Note: Response time ~24–48 hours; English and Welsh support available.
Getting There
- Nearest airport: Cardiff Airport (CWL), 20 miles west; flights via Ryanair, TUI from London, Dublin.
- From airport: Train from Cardiff Central to Newport Station (30 minutes via Transport for Wales), then taxi to Tredegar House (10 minutes, ~$15 GBP).
- By train: Newport Station (direct from London Paddington, 1.5 hours); 2-mile taxi or Bus 30/36 (5 minutes, ~$3 GBP).
- By bus: Newport Bus 30/36 from city centre to Tredegar House gates (20 minutes, frequent, ~$3 GBP; book via newportbus.co.uk).
- By car: M4 Junction 28 (5-minute drive); free parking at Tredegar House fields; satnav NP10 8TW.
- Walking/cycling: 2-mile walk from Newport Station along cycle paths; NCN Route 88 nearby.
Accommodation Options
- Hotels/Inns: Celtic Manor Resort (01633 413000, luxury 3 miles away, from $150/night); The Kings Hotel (01633 244800, central Newport).
- Bed and Breakfasts: Stow Park B&B (01633 254477, cozy near station); Tredegar House Cottage (on-site options via National Trust).
- Self-Catering: Cottages via sykescottages.co.uk (e.g., farmhouse lets from $100/night); airbnb.com for Newport apartments.
- Camping: Festival camping on-site (tents/caravans $13-$26 GBP add-on); no external sites needed, vacate by 11am Monday.
- Other: Book via booking.com for pet-friendly spots like The Lamb (from $90/night); most within 10-minute drive to venue.
Reviews
- Show of Hands brought the house down—folk fire under those oaks, with dances that had everyone grinning.
- Workshops with Sam Kelly were a revelation; the Haar’s energy lit up the marquee like wildfire.
- Family paradise: free parades, ceilidhs, and ales—Tredegar’s grounds felt like home for the weekend.
Attention!
We offer complete packages including Event Tickets, Accommodation, Transportation & more — so you don’t have to worry about anything.
Contact Us →Before you go, check these helpful travel products:
Maps
Contact
Video
FAQ's
What folk music and dance acts can I expect at the Tredegar House Folk Festival?
Expect a stellar lineup blending legends like Steve Knightley and Phil Beer (Show of Hands) with rising stars like Sam Kelly's powerhouse vocals, The Haar's Irish-infused anthems, and Heron Valley's infectious Scottish tunes—over 20 acts across stages, plus dance troupes from Europe for parades and workshops. The 2025 vibe included folk clubs with Jeff Japers; 2026 on the site will confirm, but think Celtic ballads, jigs, and singer-songwriter showcases. Concerts run evenings, with free daytime displays drawing 2,000+. It's a rootsy mix where tradition meets tomorrow, perfect for strumming along.
How family-friendly is the festival, and what activities suit kids?
Incredibly so, with free entry for under-16s to most events and kid-centric workshops like simple folk dances or song circles in the marquee—think little ones joining ceilidhs or parading with international troupes. The estate's safe grounds include play areas, and schedules fit school holidays with early finishes. Parents love the inclusive vibe: "Children adore the atmosphere," per organizers. Camping adds adventure, and the singer-songwriter comp inspires young creators. It's a gentle intro to folk, where kids dance freely amid ales and acoustics.
What makes Tredegar House such a special venue for folk music?
The 17th-century estate's lush parkland and stables create an idyllic open-air amphitheater—think tunes echoing off the mansion's facade during sunsets, with gardens for picnics between sets. Unlike indoor halls, its 90 acres allow wandering from main stage to folk clubs, blending heritage (Morgan family tales) with nature's embrace. The National Trust tie-in grants free house access, adding tours like a bonus. Attendees rave: "The oaks amplify the soul of folk." It's intimate yet expansive, where dances feel like garden parties in Welsh wonderland.
How do I prepare for the festival, including camping and what to bring?
Book weekend tickets ($91 USD) for full access, adding camping ($13-$26) via ticketsource.co.uk—arrive Thursday for open mic setup. Pack tent essentials, wellies for May's green fields (50-60°F, showers possible), and reusable mug for the CAMRA bar. Download the program for timings: Friday openers, Saturday parades (12:30pm). Bring instruments for workshops; families add picnic blankets. Buses 30/36 drop at gates. Volunteers tip: early bird for pitches—the site's magic unfolds with the mist.
How does the festival support Newport's community and folk scene?
As a volunteer-driven gem, it injects £100k+ into the local economy via visitors, funding youth folk programs and charities through raffles. The singer-songwriter contest launches careers (past winners toured nationally), while free events like folk clubs nurture grassroots talent. International dances celebrate Welsh multiculturalism, and National Trust partnerships preserve the estate. Organizers like Susie Oates emphasize: "It's about joy and cultures mixing." It sustains Newport's folk heartbeat, turning Tredegar's lawns into a legacy of song and solidarity.
