Festival Information
North West
Overview
Manchester Folk Festival is a curated multi-venue music festival celebrating traditional and contemporary folk, roots and acoustic music. Taking place each year in Manchester’s Northern Quarter and nearby Ancoats, the festival brings together a diverse programme of established performers, emerging artists and unique collaborations.
Band on the Wall serves as the festival hub, hosting headline concerts, artist sessions and the late-night festival club. Additional performances take place in nearby venues across the city centre, creating a welcoming atmosphere where audiences can experience artists in close up live settings.
Presented by the charity Sound Roots, the festival forms part of the wider English Folk Expo programme, supporting the development of folk, roots and acoustic music while showcasing talent from across the UK and beyond.
Line-up
View the official
What's On page.
Note: Line-ups may evolve closer to the festival date. Always check the official website and social media channels for the most up-to-date information.
Festival Attendance: ≈ 3,500
This figure reflects an approximate total attendance across all concerts and events during recent editions. As a multi-venue city festival, there is no single fixed site capacity and audience numbers vary by event and venue.
Location
Manchester Folk Festival takes place across multiple venues in Manchester’s Northern Quarter and nearby Ancoats, with the festival hub located at Band On The Wall, 25 Swan St, Manchester, M4 5JZ.
Band on the Wall, a historic venue in the UK live music scene, serves as the central gathering point for the festival, hosting concerts, artist sessions and the late-night festival club. Additional performances take place in nearby venues, which are all generally within easy walking distance of one another.
The festival programme is carefully curated, with artists matched to venues that suit the scale and atmosphere of their music. Many performances take place in smaller rooms and club spaces, creating a welcoming setting where audiences can experience artists up close.
For full venue details and travel guidance visit the official Festival Venues page.
Travel
The festival encourages audiences to travel by public transport. Band on the Wall is within walking distance of both Piccadilly and Victoria rail stations.
Tickets
Basic Price Range: Free - £150
This price range aims to give a general indication of the lowest and highest prices typically available. Always check the official event listing for current pricing and booking fees.
The highest price is for a Festival Wristband which provides access to all events, subject to capacity. Individual events range between £10 - £20.
Tickets for Manchester Folk Festival can be purchased via the official What's On page, where you can browse the full programme and book individual events.
Ticket Options
- Festival Wristband – three-day access to the full festival programme (Thursday–Saturday), subject to venue capacity.
- Saturday All-Access Ticket – entry to concerts and events on the Saturday programme.
- Individual Gig Tickets – tickets for specific concerts, workshops or ceilidhs.
If you plan to attend several events across the weekend, a Festival Wristband is typically the most flexible option.
Booking Notes
- A booking fee applies when purchasing tickets online.
- Tickets purchased on the door may be more expensive than advance booking.
- Age guidance varies by venue — always check the event listing before booking.
Important Ticket Information
Use official booking links from the festival programme or venue websites. Some performances may sell out, particularly in smaller venues.
Accommodation
Manchester Folk Festival is not a camping festival, please make your own accommodation arrangements. For accommodation suggestions, you could try the Visit Manchester website.
Packing Checklist:
Ensure you are fully prepared for your festival adventure with our Essential Packing Checklist.
Accessibility
Manchester Folk Festival takes place across multiple venues in Manchester city centre. Accessibility provisions vary by venue, with many locations offering step-free access, lifts and accessible facilities.
Detailed accessibility information for each venue is available via the official Festival Venues page, where you can find access guidance, venue layouts and travel details.
Essential Companion Tickets
Essential Companion discounted tickets are available for all shows. These must be booked directly through the individual venue’s box office. For assistance, contact the festival team at info@englishfolkexpo.com.
Additional Information
Assistance dogs are welcome at participating venues. Always check the individual venue listing for full accessibility details before attending.
