Derby Folk Festival 2026 – Weekend Passes On Sale from 26 Feb

Celebrating 20 years of fantastic events, Derby Folk Festival returns to the city centre, from Friday 9^th to Sunday 11^th October 2026.

Bringing together a number of venues and streets in the Cathedral Quarter for a packed weekend of entertainment, the festival includes concerts, dances, workshops and crafts. With a mix of ticketed and free events, all in the city centre, there’s lots of options for everyone to experience the festival whether they’re a seasoned festival go-er, or passing shopper.

Well-known names from the folk scene will be heading to Derby this October, including Bob Fox, bringing wonderful guitar, vocals and song-writing – honed over 50 years. Bob will be known to many as Songman, from the incredible War Horse production. Also appearing will be Jackie Oates & Belinda O’Hooley – a new duo that pairs Jackie’s highly regarded singing, fiddle playing and song-writing (winner of two BBC Folk Awards) with Belinda’s deeply expressive and moving style. Belinda is well known for being half of O’Hooley & Tidow – writers of the internationally renowned theme tune to Gentleman Jack. Returning with a brand-new show celebrating the music of Nic Jones, Sam Carter has been described as “the finest English-style fingerpicking guitarist of his generation”.  The Charlotte Carrivick Band bring Bluegrass and Old-Time music, played by some of the finest musicians on the scene.  There’s even a much-anticipated performance from Derby’s own Lucy Ward – bringing passionately performed brilliance to the stage in a rare return to the stage during a sabbatical period.

Alongside more familiar names there’s a host of acts from across the wide range of folk genres – and audiences will find plenty of new discoveries across the weekend. There’s traditional folk, world-music, folk-rock, indie folk – whatever you love, you’ll probably find it somewhere within the festival!

You can find the full details on the festival website at www.derbyfolkfestival.co.uk

The ticketed concerts will take place across the weekend in Derby Museum’s Wardwick, The Old Bell Hotel, and Chapel Street Arts Centre, giving audiences chance to enjoy different venues, as well as the variety of shops, food and drink that the city’s Cathedral Quarter offers.

Alongside the concerts, there’s an increased programme of activities allowing people to access different parts of the festival either freely, or by donation. Derby Market Hall will be the central Festival Hub through Saturday and Sunday, with dance displays, ceilidhs, workshops and the Artisans Uncovered Market. Free music performances will take place in various venues; there will be music sessions at the Old Bell Hotel, dance sides on the Cathedral Quarter streets, and a fantastic atmosphere throughout the weekend. The full programme for the free / by donation events is available at www.derbyfolkfestival.co.uk/fringe with more being added and updated right up to the festival.

Tickets are now available for the full weekend package which gives access to all of the concerts over the weekend.  The standard price will be ?93 from 1^st August, but an Early Bird Price of £85 is available until 31^st July.

Day passes will be on sale at the end of March, along with limited numbers of tickets for individual concerts. All ticket options will be available from www.derbylive.co.uk/folkfest

The festival is run by a community partnership of FOLK3D, Furthest From The Sea, and Bob On Arts; this year, working with the support and sponsorship of Derby LIVE, Cathedral Quarter Derby, RNR Magazine, The Old Bell Hotel, Derby Museums and Derby Market Hall to make the event happen. Each year, visitors travel from the length and breadth of the country, as well as overseas, bringing increased footfall and visitor trade into the city centre through shopping, dining, and hotel stays.

However you choose to be involved – dropping in for a workshop; listening to some free music while you grab a drink; choosing a few concerts over the weekend; or joining the festival family with a weekend pass – you’re guaranteed a warm welcome, and a great time.