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- Looking ahead: A weekend at Shrewsbury Folk Festival 2025
Looking ahead: A weekend at Shrewsbury Folk Festival 2025
With a reputation as one of the UK’s top festivals of its kind, it attracts people from across the UK and the world - some travel from as far afield as Australia - as well as local music lovers popping in for a day or weekend.
If you’ve never been to the festival, here’s a sample of what a day or weekend could look like for you:
Thursday August 21
If you’re coming for the weekend and were lucky enough to snap up one of the limited Thursday camping tickets, take your time to set up your camp. If you’re with family and friends, you can camp together and, best of all, all the camping surrounds the stages so you’re never far from any of the action. Once you’re done, wander into Shrewsbury along the riverside and explore the excellent cafes, bars or restaurants.
Friday August 22
Whether you’re a day visitor or a weekend camper arriving for the main festival opening, explore the festival site before the music and fun kicks off mid-afternoon.
Sample some of the tasty food on offer in the food village – everything from pizza to pies, Indian to ice cream – and get refreshed with a pint from one of the six real ale bars featuring Shropshire and Midlands breweries. Now’s the time to grab a programme and decide what you want to see over the weekend. With a wide range of folk, Americana and world music on four music stages, there’s something to suit everyone’s musical taste.
Earmark any of the workshops going on over the weekend that you want to join. There’s everything from a festival choir, extensive Tuneworks programme for musicians, sessions for crafters, dance workshops, creative writing and much more. If you’re on your own, head to the Socially Solo session to make some new festival friends.
Younger festivalgoers can head to the Pandemonium! children’s festival or Refolkus youth festival and join in with some of the brilliant music, dance or crafting workshops on offer.
Then it’s time to kick back, enjoy the music and get into the festival spirit.
Saturday August 23
If you need to stretch out after a night under canvas, there’s morning yoga or pilates every day to get you going gently. If you’re feeling more energetic, you could join the annual pilgrimage to Shrewsbury’s Park Run with other festival runners.
Shane’s Singo Bingo on Saturday morning will get the whole family in the mood for a great day or maybe grab your ukulele and learn how to strum a tune or get your creative juices flowing in a fairy tale writing workshop. There’s a range of drop-in sessions at the Pandemonium! kids festival from archery to lantern making and story telling so plenty to keep them amused. The big kids can head to Refolkus and try their hand at everything from robotics to henna tattooing.
There’s always something going on in the dance tent in the heart of the festival site whether it’s a ceilidh, dance, show or workshop. It’s fun and infectious - we challenge you not to leave with a smile on your face!
If you’re a visitor to Shrewsbury, hop on the free bus to watch dance displays in the town centre and check out the range of independent shops the town is famed for.
As the sun goes down on Saturday, mooch around the music stages to discover new music or listen to your favourite band. And if you’re still ready to party after the final headliners of the night are done, head over to the dance tent for the late-night ceilidh and party ‘til the wee small hours.
Sunday August 24
If you’re not partied out from the late-night ceilidh, you can start your day by joining fellow festival goers for a 4-5 mile walk around the local area. If that’s a step too far, stock up on camping and breakfast essentials from the on site shop, run by Shrewsbury’s The Allotment, and enjoy a leisurely morning.
With packed programmes for the children, tweens and teens, they’ll be occupied, giving you the chance to soak up the festival atmosphere on the lovely riverside site. The festival has a reputation for its relaxed and friendly vibe – just what you need for the final Bank Holiday weekend of the year!
One of Sunday’s highlights is the parade of visiting Morris and dance teams across the site. Enjoy the noisy and colourful spectacular and follow the procession into the dance tent for the mayhem and mischief of the annual dance party. Stay on for the folk disco DJ set – a unique mash up of pop and folk music that’ll have you dancing like no-one is watching.
In between all of that, don’t forget there’s four stages of live music to sample too!
Monday August 25
You may be sad about it being the last day so maybe Monday is the day to join the Laughter Yoga workshop to set up you up for the day?
Browse the artisan stalls in the craft fair to take a memento home from the festival and, if you’re a musician, may be treat yourself to something from one of the music traders.
Today is also the day that the kids get their moment in the spotlight to showcase what they’ve learnt this weekend. And if you’ve been part of the festival choir or ukulele massive, you’ll get your moment on stage too.
When the music has finally finished, if you’re camping, leave packing up until Tuesday morning and spend one final night in the Salopian Berwick Bar where the mother of all sessions will see off another brilliant festival!
Click here for a further taster of what to expect at Shrewsbury Folk Festival. For the full festival line-up or to book day tickets, visit shrewsburyfolkfestival.co.uk.
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