40th Warwick Folk Festival attracted record numbers!

The 40th Warwick Folk Festival, which took place from the 25 – 28 July, attracted record numbers and featured a superb line up of folk stars from around the world including headline act, Billy Bragg.  Over 30,000 people attended a range of festival events over the 4-day weekend with the crowds enjoying a mini heatwave on the Thursday and Friday.

124 artists performed during the festival whilst 164 individual events were laid on for visitors to enjoy, 64 of which were fringe events in the town centre. Warwick town and the Square were bursting at the seams with happy crowds. Saturday also saw the annual “Party on Smith Street” where the independent businesses joined in with the festival celebrations with entertainment, street food and craft stalls.

Other headline acts included Skerryvore, Karan Casey, Calan, Will Pound & Eddy Jay, Breabach, O’Hooley & Tidow and Nancy Kerr. This year the festival had a new site layout with improved access to the grounds and the introduction of a new festival village including craft, food and drink stalls plus a mini beer festival tent.  Visitors also enjoyed the return of the festival marquee and swimming pool as well as a programme of ceilidhs, concerts, sing-arounds, dance, intimate acoustic performances or full on gigs.

Dick Dixon, Festival Director stated, "We are delighted with the success of our spectacular 40th Warwick Folk Festival which attracted record numbers.  Everything ran smoothly and with the sun shining, it was great to see so many families and visitors with big smiles on their faces soaking up the atmosphere and enjoying a fantastic range of musical acts and events”. 

Dates for next year’s Warwick Folk Festival are from the 23 – 26 July 2020. For more information please visit www.warwickfolkfestival.co.uk

All photo credits: John Wright Studio