As part of Civic 150, an 18-month celebration marking 150 years of Barnsley Civic, Barnsley Folk Festival will return to Barnsley town centre in May 2026, taking place both inside Barnsley Civic and adjacent Mandela Garden.
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 folk artists that have sung and played there, to decades of folk music concerts that have taken place at Barnsley Civic over the decades and the first Barnsey Folk Festival which took place in bBrnsley Civic in 1986.
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. This 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 Civic is pleased to announce that the headline act opening our 2026 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. Kate’s tender, pure, and unmistakably Yorkshire tones have enchanted audiences worldwide for over three decades. Her live performances are a unique blend of intimacy and joy — filled with laughter, stories, and songs that feel like home.
Kate Rusby 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. In 1997, she released her debut album Hourglass and the rest is history. 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.
Of the festival, Kate Rusby said;
40 years WOW!
40 years ago I was inspired to be an actual singer, I was 12. In the old Barnsley Civic, Barnsley Folk Festival, there I was in the dark sat beside my dad, who was sound engineer for that concert. I was captivated by Barnsley’s own Dave Burland.
I remember the moment, thinking to myself, how lovely and amazing that would be to sing to people like that, tell stories, make people laugh, move people to tears, all through music. I had been brought up with folk music of course, but also listened to anything and everything I could get my hands on via the incredible Barnsley Library music department, I had learnt to play fiddle and chords on the guitar, worked out chords on the piano, but that was “the moment”.
Here we are all these years later, 34 years in the music industry, lucky enough to tour the world (always told the audiences how brilliant Barnsley is) but always it remains…. Barnsley in my blood, Barnsley in my brain, born to be an advocate of all things Barnsley, now a very proud Freeman Of The Borough…… all due to music and that moment.
I cannot wait to take to the Barnsley Civic stage myself 40 years after that “light bulb moment”. Full circle complete.
You never know, there may be another 12 year old in the audience at the new Barnsley Folk Festival who may be inspired! Such a fabulous weekend of music planned, come along, bring your kids too, you never know what will happen!!
Thank you Dave Burland. Thank you to my folks who brought me along to the gig.
Kate Rusby, Freeman Of The Borough Of Barnsley.
The 2026 festival will also feature three other events. On Saturday 30th May between 11am – 4pm, a free to attend outdoor festival will take place in Mandela Gardens. This event will be a celebration of all things traditional, with a focus of traditional folk musicians, dance and crafts. Acts include The Rhythm Chaps Ceilidh Band, the very same ceilidh band that performed at the festival 40 years ago; musicians Barnsdale Hood and Katrina Tia Charles. Dancers include Barnsley Longsword, Silkstone Greens North West Morris, Wath Morris, Wath Morris Minors and Horizon Community College’s very own sword dance group, made up of the school’s students. Alongside the music and dance, will be a range of free traditional craft activities and dance workshops, which we’ll be announcing shortly.
On the evening on Saturday 30th 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 Parson’s Lot, Common Culture, The Rolling Down Hills and Gabriela Y Antony. Closing the festival on Sunday 30th May is a free afternoon ceilidh led by musician Chris McShane and friends.
Barnsley Folk Festival is part of Barnsley Civic’s artistic and community engagement programme and is this year supported by Barnsley Council. Tickets for the two evening concerts are on sale now.
