Swanage Folk Festival

The folk festival has come a long way since our first day of dance in 1992. It has grown into a full and varied weekend of music and dance.

From Friday 11 to Sunday 13 September 2026 our small seaside town on the beautiful Jurassic coast of Dorset will fill up with hundreds of colourful dancers, and the town will resonate to the sound of bells jingling, sticks thwacking and excellent music. Expect dance, music and lots of smiles.

Most of the activities are free to enjoy, and some of the concerts are ticketed. During the Saturday and Sunday you can watch the biggest UK folk dance festival, for free. All along shore road and some other parts of town will be filled with colourful dancers and music.

On Sandpit field there are childrens entertainers and concerts throughout the daytime, for free. You can also enjoy the craft fair and festival beer tent; entry is free.

On Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings there are ticketed concerts on Sandpit Field, you can get tickets at swanagefolkfestival.com.

We also fill the local pubs with folk music during the weekend.

It’s been going since 1992 and is a not for profit organisation, any money raised goes to local good causes.