Looking to entertain the whole family this late May bank holiday? Head to the Chippenham Folk Festival from May 24th-27th. While some of the main festival concerts and events require paid tickets, there’s also an incredible line-up of free and ‘by donation’ events, workshops, performances, and activities for all ages to enjoy.
The festivities get going from Friday midday at the Island Park Community Stage, where there will be musical acts, bubble play and face painters with the other family venues like the Under 5s Dome and Make & Do Tent open on Saturday morning. Little ones can enjoy free baby sensory sessions, interactive music shows like Singing Hats, storytelling, arts & crafts and more – all by donation. The Make & Do tent offers free opportunities to make corn dollies, knit critters, build musical instruments and more from recycled materials. Kids can also learn circus skills like tightrope walking and plate spinning.
Beyond the scheduled kids’ events, there’s plenty of free festive fun for all ages. Don’t miss the chance to learn some traditional folk dances at the dance workshops happening throughout the weekend. Check out the lively festival Parade starting at 2pm on Saturday in Market Square and get the whole family dancing at the Buttercross Ceilidh at 12pm on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Look out for energetic folk dance troupes giving demonstrations around town and why not enter the quirky Stick and Bucket Competition 6pm on Sunday at at the Old Road Tavern? Or of course you can simply soak up the vibrant atmosphere of music, food stalls and community spirit.
You can catch some of the fantastic local Chippenham-based groups performing throughout the weekend on the Community stage. The Allsorts Community Choir sings on Friday while Sunday is the turn of The Sparkly Singers – featuring a very special audience singalong of Elton John’s iconic hit, ‘I’m still standing’. Monday sees performances by the Cause Community Choir,Chippenham & Calne Good Afternoon Choir, Lingmara: World Music Choir and the Cause Chorus. Don’t forget to catch The Sahara Sisters, Chippenham’s beloved belly dance troupe celebrating their 20th year and local singer-songwriter Meg, performing a range of covers and own material.
Evenings bring special free performances like the “Telling Tales at Twilight” shadow puppet show at the Magic Lantern theatre and The Folk Club at The Cause on Friday, Saturday and Saturday nights. On Sunday the Lorikeet‘s (folk pop) and Irishish are performing at Island Park and and the high-energy Bagas Fellyon band are taking over the Community Stage at 5.30pm.
With so many free workshops, ceilidhs, concerts, performances and activities, plus the colourful sights and sounds of a folk festival – Chippenham is the place to be for the bank holiday weekend!
Visit https://www.chippfolk.co.uk to find out the full festival line-up.
