The initial line-up for next year’s Sidmouth Folk Festival has been announced, featuring several big names and festival favourites.

Among the acts are Karine Polwart, Oysterband, Kate Rusby, Ralph McTell, O’Hooley & Tidow, Steve Knightley & Friends, Sea Song Sessions, Spiers & Boden; Spooky Men’s Chorale, Chris Wood and Andy Cutting, plus pre-festival shows with Steeleye Span and the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain. A host of other acts and other entertainment for 2024 are listed on the Folk Festival website.

Sidmouth Herald: Spooky Men's Chorale

The 2024 festival, taking place from August 2 until the 9th, will be the 70th since the event was launched in 1955 as a festival of folk dancing, which instrumental music only – no singing. Folk singing still took place behind the scenes, but didn’t become an official part of the festival until the 1960s.

Sidmouth Herald: Sea Song Sessions There will be some special events to celebrate the 70th festival, with details to be announced in the near future. They will include a traditional street party, a Story of Sidmouth show telling the history of the town, and a New Moon Party at the Bulverton.

 Festival co-director Tash Daly said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to reach our landmark 70th festival and look forward to sharing the unique magic of Sidmouth, some amazing performances and immersive events, with music, song and dance lovers from near and far. Folk music is traditionally passed down through the generations and we pride ourselves on being a family-friendly festival. With that in mind, for 2024 we have introduced free tickets for all children aged 11 and under.

“The town and its people welcome the festival so generously year after year, so we’re putting them at the heart of our anniversary celebrations with a unique special production based on local memories and a street party that everyone is invited to. We’re also delighted to welcome back local company JR Event Services as event management partner after a two-year sabbatical.”

Super early bird week, weekend and day season tickets and official camping tickets are now on sale, with prices held at 2023 rates, and in some cases dropped. Tickets for Ham Evening Concerts will go on sale in the new year.