Festival Information
North West
Overview
Manchester Folk Festival is an urban, multi-venue festival celebrating contemporary folk, roots and acoustic music. Its programme brings established performers, emerging artists and collaborations to concert halls, clubs, pubs and other spaces across central Manchester.
Band on the Wall and The Stoller Hall form the festival’s main hubs, with the wider programme combining headline concerts, intimate performances, sessions, workshops, ceilidhs and free events. The city-centre format allows audiences to build their own route through the programme rather than remain at one festival site.
The festival is presented by the charity Sound Roots alongside English Folk Expo, which supports artists and professional development across the folk, roots and acoustic music sector.
Line-up
View the official
What's On page.
Note: Check the official website and social media for the latest programme information.
Festival Attendance: 3,500+ total attendance
This organiser-reported figure reflects total attendance across more than 30 concerts during a recent edition. Manchester Folk Festival takes place across multiple venues, so it does not have a single fixed overall capacity and audience numbers vary by event, venue and year.
Location
Manchester Folk Festival takes place across music venues in central Manchester. For the upcoming festival, Band on the Wall and The Stoller Hall serve as the two main hubs.
Band on the Wall is based in the Northern Quarter, while The Stoller Hall is beside Manchester Victoria station. The wider programme extends to nearby concert halls, clubs, pubs and outdoor spaces, with venues chosen to suit different performances and audience sizes.
Check the official Venues and Access page and individual event listings before travelling, as the programme is distributed across the city centre.
Travel
The festival encourages travel by public transport. Band on the Wall is within walking distance of Manchester Victoria and Piccadilly stations, while The Stoller Hall is next to Victoria station. Tram and bus services connect the surrounding city-centre venues.
Tickets
Basic Price Range: Free - £110
This approximate range covers free events, individual concert tickets and the full-festival wristband, including its booking fee. Always check the official listings for current prices.
Manchester Folk Festival offers a four-day Festival Wristband, individual event tickets and a selection of free events. The wristband provides access to the festival programme, subject to venue capacity.
Visit the official What’s On page to browse events and follow the relevant booking link.
Ticket Options
- Four-day Festival Wristband
- Individual concerts, workshops and ceilidhs
- Free music, sessions and outdoor events
Individual tickets may be more suitable if you only plan to attend a small number of events. The organiser advises that the Festival Wristband becomes more cost-effective when attending four or more gigs.
Important Ticket Information
Advance tickets offer the lowest available price, with tickets purchased on the door costing more where available. The festival states that advance prices will not be reduced through last-minute offers.
There is one standard ticket price for each show. Age guidance is determined by the individual venue, while events specifically intended for children or families are identified in the programme. Always check the official ticket information and individual event listing before booking.
Accommodation
Manchester Folk Festival is a city-centre festival. Visitors staying overnight can arrange accommodation in Manchester or the surrounding area.
The Visit Manchester website lists local accommodation options.
Packing Checklist:
Ensure you are fully prepared for your festival adventure with Festival Calendar UK's Packing Checklist.
Accessibility
Manchester Folk Festival takes place across several venues, so accessibility facilities and arrangements vary. The festival aims to use accessible venues and publishes venue-specific information on its Venues and Access page.
Essential Companion ticket arrangements are available for every festival show. These tickets must be booked through the relevant venue’s box office. For assistance, contact the festival at info@englishfolkexpo.com.
Check the individual venue information for step-free access, accessible toilets, seating and assistance-dog arrangements before booking.
