The complete 2026 line-up has landed
The complete line-up for this summer’s festival has been revealed with the addition of five new artists to the bill.
Cut Capers, Malin Lewis and Katherine Priddy have all be announced along with Zimbabwean Edith WeUtonga, whose latest release was shortlisted for the 2025 Folk Album of the Year. The festival will also host a new collaboration commissioned by the English Folk Dance and Song Society – Adriano Adewale & Friends: Rooted and Rising. The composer and percussionist will be joined by musicians including Nancy Kerr, Cohen Braithwaite-Kilcoyne and Kuljit Bhamra for the show that will unite musical heritage from England, Scotland, Brazil, Haiti, Columbia, the US and the Punjab.
Our stellar line-up already includes three-time Grammy award winner Lucinda Williams, the UK premiere of Talisk x Gardiner Brothers: Unleashed, Andy Fairweather Low & The Low Riders, an exclusive show from Ferocious Dog featuring The Celtic Folk Orchestra and Irish singer Cara Dillon.
The festival, based on the riverside DMOS People West Mid Showground close to the town centre, runs over the August Bank Holiday weekend from August 28 to 31. There are four music stages along with a dance tent that hosts everything from ceilidhs, bals and contra dances to shows and displays from morris and dance sides.
In addition to the line-up of folk, Americana and world music music is a packed programme of participation including crafts, yoga and pilates, songwriting, shanty singing, folklore talks, expert-led musical workshops, a festival choir and music and song sessions. Children and young people are well catered for with a huge range of activities in their own dedicated venues.
There are also craft and music fairs, six real ale, wine and cocktail bars, a diverse food village and camping and glamping options for those staying on-site.
Festival Director Sandra Surtees said: “The complete line-up really captures the spirit of Shrewsbury Folk Festival – bold collaborations, unforgettable exclusives, popular artists but also new music for our audience to discover. Every year we aim to deliver an innovative and eclectic programme and we don’t doubt that we’re on the mark this year.”
She added: “If you already have your ticket, there’s so much to look forward to across the weekend, and if you don’t, now’s the time to firm up your summer festival plans and choose Shrewsbury. Weekend tickets are always in high demand and our monthly payment plan makes it easy to guarantee your place at what promises to be yet another very special festival.”
The festival’s 2026 dance band line-up has already been announced and includes Bailey & Keely, Bhangra Ceilidh, Blowzabella, Brown Boots Boogie Band, a David Eagle Folk Disco DJ Set, Emily & The Simons, Folk Camps Party Band, Hekety, a Northumbrian Ceilidh with Northern Nancy, One Night String Band, Powerhouse, Relentess Ceilidh Band and Topette!!. Cornish troupe Kekezza will perform the annual dance show and there will also be the dance party and displays from morris and dance teams throughout the weekend.
Day and weekend tickets are on sale at www.shrewsburyfolkfestival.co.uk with a payment plan available so visitors can spread the cost over up to seven months.
