A mid-winter festival presenting both national and local artists, many of whom perform, and are available to meet at one or many of the events taking place over the weekend.
Special performances include Jo Freya's Lal Project (on Saturday afternoon - £8/£6) - a group of musicians led by Jo Freya, playing Lal Waterson's songs (on the 10th anniversary of her death) plus music from the Australian outback with Martin Wyndam-Read's No Man's Band (Sunday afternoon - £8/£6).
The line-up has now been finalised and includes Show of Hands, Last Orders and the Three Magpies amongst others. Click here for further details of this year's main programme.
Most of the events take place in the Cheltenham's Edwardian Town Hall but there are also free Singers' Sessions at the The Bell Inn, Bath Rd on Friday and Saturday evening; free acoustic sessions with some of the festival's featured artists at the local library plus dancing in the streets on Saturday during the day; and a Festival Dance with Random, and caller, Dave Hunt, at the Princess hall, Cheltenham Ladies College on Saturday evening (£8/£6).
Instrument, voice and dance workshops take place on Saturday and Sunday at the YMCA in Vittoria Walk - £4 per session or free to weekend ticket holders. Young Fun sessions are organised for children on both Saturday and Sunday from 11am-5pm. There's also a small market selling clothes, books, arts and crafts, musical instruments and CDs, cassettes of festival artists and others.
Food includes vegetarian dishes, and there are real ales too. The town centre and all-day car parks are within a few minutes walk.
Accommodation
Indoor camping is available at around £25 for the weekend or at £9 per night at St Luke's Church Hall. Facilities include toilets, showers, kitchen and disabled access.
B&Bs - there are plenty of these within walking distance of the Town Hall.
TICKET INFORMATION
Individual concert tickets are dependent on availability although many artists appear more than once over the weekend. Camping is not included in the ticket price. The Family Weekend ticket covers 2 adults and 2 children (11-16 years). Children under 11 years are admitted free; 11-16 year olds - half price. Concessions are available for the unemployed, retired and disabled. Early Bird discounts available until 31st December.
The Cheltenham Folk Festival is promoted by Cheltenham Borough Council.
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