Cheltenham Folk Festival

15 – 17 February 2008

Following a record-breaking year in 2007, the 12th Cheltenham Folk Festival features headliners Show Of Hands, one of the finest acoustic roots duo in England, Brass Monkey and Three Magpies. Three Magpies consist of Nancy Kerr, James Fagan and multiinstrumentalist and composer Robert Harbron, playing both traditional and contemporary folk music.

The stage of Cheltenham Town Hall will host many more performers, including Belshazzar`s Feast, Benji Kirkpatrick, Emily & Hazel Askew, Issy & David Emeney with Kate Riaz, John Kirkpatrick, John Tams & Barry Coope, Jon Loomes & Paul Scourfield, Last Orders, Malthouse Passage, Martin & Shan Graebe, Megson, Mike & Ali Vass, Phill Beer, Random, Spiers & Boden and Steve Turner.

2008 also features special performances by Jo Freya who accompanied by Jim Boyes, Fi Fraser, Jude Abbott, Neil Ferguson, Harry Hammer and Mary McMaster play the beautiful songs of the late Lal Waterson on the tenth anniversary of her death, and Down The Lawson Track featuring songs and music of the great Australian outback.

As last year, the Festival has many instrument, voice and dance workshops which take place at the YMCA. ‘An Hour or So With…’ offers a great chance to meet some of the Festival performers close up in a warm and informal atmosphere. The Kids Place gives the youngest visitors to the festival the opportunity to enjoy some creative fun on Saturday and Sunday.

Dance teams from around the country will be performing on the streets of Cheltenham Saturday and Sunday afternoon and free unplugged sessions will take place at the Music Library on Saturday giving you the opportunity to enjoy some great acoustic performances.

Tickets are available at Cheltenham Town Hall. If you purchase your weekend tickets by 31 December, they are £60 adult, £50 students and unwaged and £30 11-16 year olds, under 11 go free. You can also buy tickets for certain individual events.

For more information on Cheltenham Folk Festival and other Cheltenham festivals please visit our Events & Festivals section.