BARNSLEY FOLK FESTIVAL

As part of Civic 150, an 18-month celebration marking 150 years of Barnsley Civic, Barnsley Folk Festival will return to Barnsley town centre 29th – 31st May 2026, taking place both inside Barnsley Civic and the adjacent Mandela Gardens.

The festival builds on the town’s rich history of traditional music, song and dance, from the founding of Barnsley Folk Club in 1962 and the many successful and influential folk artists that have sung and played there, to the folk music concerts that have taken place at Barnsley Civic over the decades.

We recognise the good work done by past local folk festivals, including Barnsley Acoustic Roots Festival, Madfest and the Rusby family’s very own Underneath The Stars. The return of Barnsley Folk Festival also proudly follows in the foot-steps of other recent town centre festivals, Barnsley Live, Pride Barnsley and Brassed On!

Barnsley Folk Festival will comprise of four key events:

Headlining and opening our 2026 Barnsley Folk Festival is none other than Barnsley’s very own Kate Rusby; widely regarded as one of the most captivating voices in British folk music. As her Spring tour draws to a close, Kate will perform this rare hometown concert in the intimate setting of Barnsley Civic’s theatre with an exclusive set-list for a three-piece, which will include her husband and producer Damien O’Kane.

Kate’s tender, pure, and unmistakably Yorkshire tones have enchanted audiences worldwide for over three decades. Kate started performing in local folk clubs as a child, following in the footsteps of her parents, Steve and Ann; then made a name for herself performing in groups The Poozies, Equation and singing alongside fellow Barnsley folk artist fellow Barnsley artist Kathryn Roberts. Named as one of the Top Ten Folk Voices of the Century, a Mercury Prize Winner, 6-times BBC Radio 2 Folk Award Winner and a warm, Yorkshire sense of humour to boot, Kate has achieved an unprecedented cross-over appeal.

Kate will be supported by Barnsley indie-folk duo Eletto. Both self-taught musicians, Eletto are inspired by female greats, Emmy-Lou Harris, Dolly Parton, and Swedish duo First Aid Kit.

Book your Kate Rusby tickets here barnsleycivic.co.uk/event/kate-rusby-barnsley-folk-festival

On Saturday 30^th May between 11am – 4pm, a free to attend festival will take place in Mandela Garden. This event will be a celebration of all things traditional, with a focus on traditional folk music, dance crafts.

Our musical line-up includes The Rhythm Chaps Ceilidh Band – the very same ceilidh band who played the first Barnsley Folk Festival 40 years ago, Barnsdale Hood and Katrina Tia Charles.

Traditional dance sides performing include Barnsley Longsword, Silkstone Greens North West Morris, Wath Morris and Wath Morris Minors. Joining them will be Horizon Community College’s very own folk dance group.

Alongside the music and dance, will be a range of free traditional craft activities, dance workshops and storytelling. A licensed bar, food vendors and market stalls will be available. Details to be confirmed soon.

On the evening on Saturday 30^th May, our second concert will take place in Barnsley Civic’s theatre. This special concert will highlight five local bands who are all inspired by folk music and storytelling. Headlining the evening are Passion Killers; who originally formed as a punk band in 1979, later disbanded and joined the influential Leeds folk/punk/dance band Chumbwamba. Passions Killers reformed in 2025 and currently perform as an acoustic duo.

Joining them on the bill are local acts clog-stomping folk band Parson’s Lot, the rousing fiddle-driven alt-folk four piece Common Culture, psychedelic folk-rockers The Rolling Down Hills and husband and wife duo Gabriela Y Antony, with their South American songs and stories.

Tickets are available here barnsleycivic.co.uk/event/barnsley-folk-festival-evening-showcase

The festival will close on Sunday 31 May with an afternoon ceilidh led by musician Chris McShane and friends, from 1pm – 3pm in Barnsley Civic’s Theatre.

Barnsley Folk Festival is part of Barnsley Civic’s artistic and community engagement programme and is this year supported by Barnsley Council.

The dates and first wave of Barnsley Folk Festival 2027 artist announcements will be made later this summer.