Chester Folk Festival
Friday 23rd - Monday 26th May 2025
Chester Folk Festival
The Chester Folk Festival is an annual celebration of folk music, dance, and tradition, held in the village of Kelsall near Chester.
Bringing together performers, enthusiasts, and families, the festival offers a rich programme of live music, energetic ceilidhs, dance displays, and workshops for all abilities. Established 50 years ago, the festival is known for its welcoming community atmosphere whether you’re an avid folk fan or a curious newcomer, the festival promises an unforgettable weekend filled with creativity, connection, and celebration.
Concert Performers:
The Melsons (Sat/Sun) • Melrose Quartet (Sat/Sun)
The Wilson Family (Sat/Sun) • Jez Lowe (Sun)
John Kirkpatrick (Sat) • James Delarre & Saul Rose (Sun)
Bryony Griffiths & Alice Jones (Sat)
Tom Kitching & Marit Fält (Mon)
Chris Tavener (Sun) • Tin Giants (Sun)
Oakstone Trio (Sat) • Thorpe & Morrison (Fri/Sat)
Patakas (Mon) • Wet the Tea (w/e) • Steve Roud (Sat)
Rosie MacDiarmid & Meri Lawes (w/e)
The Time Bandits (w/e) • Close Quarters (w/e)
The Waite Collective (Sun) • An Croenen (w/e)
Erin Mansfield (Sat) • Greg Russell (w/e)
William Bakerfield Band & Sugar Donuts (Sat/Mon)
Full House (w/e) • Toria Wooff (Sat) •
Blue Horizon (Sun) • Keith Price (Fri)
Jackson Williams (w/e) • Captain Andy (w/e)
Love Music Trust Young Folk Ensemble (Sat)
Rondez Vous (Sat) • Maranella (Sun)
Helianthus (Sat) • The Old Firm (Sat)
Charlotte Peters Rock (w/e) • Dave Vaughan (w/e)
Stonethrow (w/e)
Ceilidhs:
Melrose Ceilidh Quintet (Sun) • Head Over Reels (Sat)
Oakstone Trio (Fri) • Time Bandits Ceilidh Band (Mon)
Martyn Harvey (Sat/Sun) • Erin Mansfield (Fri)
Tom Kitching (Mon)
Displays:
Clerical Error (w/e) • Chester City Morris Men (Sat)
Powderkegs Morris (Mon) • Cadi Ha Morris (Sun)
Cousin Jack Morris (w/e) • Mersey Morris (Sat)
Green Man Morris (w/e) • Chinewrde Morris (w/e)
Bollin Morris (Sun) • Poynton Jemmers (Sat)
Earl of Stamford Morris (Mon) •
Special Events & Other Entertainment:
Golden Anniversary Concert (Sat) Chester Folk Festival’s 50th anniversary bash. A look back at the last fifty years with anecdotal memories, photos and music. Expect lots of nostalgia but hope and joy too, looking to the future and all the wonderful young artists in the pipeline. Not to be missed for CFF aficionados!
'1975 and All That' (Mon) A treasure trove of songs, stories and memories from the year that heralded the very first Chester Folk Festival, performed by our wonderful local musicians and songwriters.
'Where There’s Brass' (Mon) Exceptional fiddle player and author, Tom Kitching, presents his new book and album, ‘Where there’s Brass’. Tom tells engaging tales of his journey from Manchester to London on a 1937 Narrowboat and his six months living in the London Waterways community. His storytelling is interwoven with an exquisite new suite of music, underpinned by his accompanist, the exceptional Nordic mandola player, Marit Fält.
Folk Song in England (Sat) An illustrated talk from Steve Roud, an expert in folklore and compiler of the Roud Folk Song index. Journey through the development of traditional folk song up to the 1950s - with musical contributions from local artists.
'Travel & Transport' (Sat) A themed singaround hosted by Dave Vaughan & Charlotte Peters Rock. From Stockton-Darlington to space - a revolution in transport. Bring your songs of travel & transport - as we celebrate 200 years since the Stockton-Darlington Railway"
French Music & Dance Saturday This year our French themed events have moved to Saturday with the ever popular: Euro Session, Rondez-vous French dance and music workshop, and the mini Bal.
Music in Medieval England (Sun) Maranella take us on a tour de force of tunes, songs, instruments (& costumes) from medieval times.
Children’s Entertainment with Panic Circus
(all day Saturday, Sunday & Monday)