Youth Festival

Refolkus: Shrewsbury Folk Festival’s own unique Youth Festival.

The wait is almost over and the Refolkus party will soon be back in town! Come on down for an action-packed weekend of music, making and mayhem.

Whether making noise is your jam, dropping some dance floor moves, unleashing your inner artist or simply relaxing – Refolkus has got it all. So get stuck into sword fighting, samba drumming, rock climbing, Bollywood dancing and much, much more!

With more chances to make cool stuff, learn awesome new skills and just hang out in a hammock, if you’re aged 11-20, make a date with Refolkus!

Refolkus 2024

CLIMBING WALL

Friday, Saturday, Sunday 10:00-13:30 and 14:00-17:30

Monday 10:00–16:00

Make like spiderman on this 10-metre high climbing wall! Fully supported by our qualified instructors – will you reach the top? *give it a go*

FLOWER CROWNS

Friday 13:30–14:30

Make your own beautiful flower crown using real flowers – the “must-have” festival look! *give it a go*

FOLKY FASHIONISTA

Friday, Saturday and Sunday 14:30–15:30

Monday 13:30–14:30

Feeling in need of a style revamp? That favourite t-shirt looking tired? Come along to the clothes surgery and put some pizzazz back into your wardrobe. Bring along a piece of clothing or style up a plain t-shirt, tote bag or bucket hat (subject to availability) with tie-dying, appliqué and remodelling. *give it a go*

SMARTPHONE PHOTOGRAPHY

Friday 15:30–16:30

Monday 10:30–11:30

Learn how to take “WOW” photos with just your smartphone. Discover a variety of powerful composition techniques and simple shooting strategies to help you shoot with greater confidence and get results that you’ll be proud to share. *give it a go*

JEWELLERY

Friday, Saturday and Sunday 16:30–17:30

Come along and learn how to make your own jewellery. There’s lots of different things to choose from and you can try them all! From bead-making to earrings, friendship bracelets and chunky paracord lanyards – there’s a project to suit all styles. *give it a go*

HENNA TATTOOING

Friday, Saturday and Sunday 17:30–18:30

Monday 15:30–16:30

Learn about the beautiful eastern art of Mehndi and create your own unique designs using natural henna pastes. N.B. This is a super popular workshop and places will be limited per session. You can sign up for sessions over the weekend at the first henna workshop on Friday. *give it a go*

ALL-STAR BIG BAND

Saturday and Sunday 10:00–11:30

Monday rehearsal 09:30–10:30

Monday performance 12:30–13:00

The world renowned All-Star Big Band is back featuring all the most up-and-coming folk talent – yes, that’s you! So whatever and however you play, come and make some seriously spectacular sounds with the Big Band massive. *progressive workshop*

SUPER-CHOIR

Saturday and Sunday 11:30–12:30

Monday rehearsal 10:30–11:30

Monday performance 12:30–13:00

Raise the roof with some fantastic harmony song from all over the world that’s guaranteed to get your toes tapping, your lungs pumping and your spirits soaring. *progressive workshop*

SAMBA DRUMMING

Saturday, Sunday and Monday 12:30–13:30

The samba drums are the sound of the Brazilian carnival and we’re bringing that party to Shrewsbury Folk Festival! Inject some energy into your day – will you play the big bass surdo, the sizzling caixa snare or the ago-go cowbell? *give it a go*

TIKTOK DANCE

Saturday 13:30–14:30

TikTok dances are short, choreographed routines which are all about having fun! Come and learn some classic TikTok dances as well as working together to create a festival-special routine! Let’s make it go SFF viral! *give it a go*

FENCING

Saturday and Sunday 15:30–16:30
Monday 14:30–15:30

All for one and one for all! Do you have what it takes to be a real musketeer? Come and learn the basics of the Olympic sport of sword fighting. *give it a go*

BOLLYWOOD DANCE

Sunday 13:30–14:30

This energetic dance blends traditional Bhangra and beautiful Indian hand gestures with modern hip hop, disco and Latin styles to create exciting and eye-catching choreography. *give it a go*

BALLET FOLK

Monday 11:30–12:30

Come and experience ballet as you’ve never seen (or heard) it before! Hot off the big stage, Ballet Folk’s professional dancers will help you to explore new ways of moving your body and responding to music. No experience needed! *give it a go*

REFOLKUS SHOWCASE

Monday 12:30–13:00

Don’t miss the Big Band and Super Choir showcase performance on the Sabrina stage!

CRAFT AND CHILL

Throughout the weekend

Make bracelets and fairy lights, play games or just kick back and relax in our cosy bell tent and hammocks.

Please note: Big Band and Super Choir workshops will be leading to a performance on Monday afternoon and so priority will be given to participants who attend from the first session on Saturday. All other workshops marked *give it a go* are open to anyone to drop in (subject to maximum numbers). A sign-up list will be used for henna and other workshops when they are full – sign up will be available at the start of the first workshop and throughout the weekend.