Dartmoor Folk Festival

Dartmoor Folk Festival The Dartmoor Folk Festival is a friendly traditional festival based in South Zeal, Okehampton, Devon.

Visit our website for tickets and more info: dartmoorfolkfestival.org.uk It was back in 1978 that local musician Bob Cann had the idea that he would like to start his own folk festival to help revive and preserve the traditions of Dartmoor, and in particular, the traditional music, dance, song and crafts of the area. The first three festivals were held in the grounds of Wood Country House near South Tawton, until 1981 when it moved to its present location in the picturesque village of South Zeal, on the edge of Dartmoor. Over the years the festival has grown making it possible to invite a high standard of folk artist from near and far, whilst maintaining its reputation for being a friendly, traditional festival. Highlights of the Festival include Ceilidh, Song & Music Sessions, Dartmoor Stepdance and Broomdance Championships, Dartmoor Fayre, Craft Displays, Dances, Music Hall, Sunday Ramble, Folk Service, Pub Sessions & Children's Events. There is also a Craft tent, Sideshows, Demonstrations, Dance Displays, Children's Entertainers and much more...

The festival continues to attract some of the top national and local artists as guests, maintaining its reputation as one of the top events in the folk calendar. Camping is available in fields close to the festival site, with events taking place in the nearby village hall and playing fields. Thanks must go out to all the past and present members of the Dartmoor Folk Festival Association, who over the years have given their time and effort voluntarily to the fund raising, organising and running of the festival, which will hopefully enable it to continue as it is for the next generation to enjoy. Thanks are also due to all those people who help us in setting up the Festival, by providing equipment, transport and all those one hundred and one essential items that go to make up the weekend.

17/08/2026

🎻 Five-time champion! Alice Knight has danced her way to victory once again at the Dartmoor Folk Festival, where hundreds watched the fiercely contested traditional Step Dance final

10/08/2026

They danced in the aisles and there was a standing ovation when the Dartmoor Pixie Band and friends concluding the 49th Dartmoor Folk Festival!

10/08/2026

There was a standing ovation for Arthur Coates and Kerran Cotterell, the hugely talented two-man trad tornado tearing through the folk world, at the finale concert. The audience were treated to guitar, fiddle, foot percussion, vocals and groove to spare!

10/08/2026

A massive thank you to Carolyn and Woody for being such wonderful hosts for 13 years in the Kings The Kings Arms, South Zeal. We will miss you next year for sure!

Standing ovations and dancing in the aisles at festival finaleTHERE were standing ovations and dancing in the aisles at ...
10/08/2026

Standing ovations and dancing in the aisles at festival finale
THERE were standing ovations and dancing in the aisles at the Dartmoor Folk Festival finale at South Zeal’s Victory Hall on Sunday, August 9.
A full-to-capacity audience attended the final concert after a wonderful weekend of folk music, song and dance, at the 49th annual festival.
Because it was full, many people sat to listen to the music on a bank across the road from the hall.
The audience heard from a selection of the weekend artists including Phil Beer, Arthur Coates and Kieran Cotterell, The Carrivick Sisters, The Bismarck’s, Adelaide Taylor and Anthony Croft, Jill and Bernard Blackwell, Geoff Lakeman and Lilly Lakeman, Bill Murray, Martyn Babb and to conclude, The Dartmoor Pixie Band and friends.
There was a standing ovation for Arthur Coates and Kieran Cotterell during the evening and at the conclusion of the end for the Dartmoor Pixie Band.
Festival chairman Jason Rice thanked everyone who made the event possible and all who attended.
Festival Secretary Jane White said: “Well that’s the end of another brilliant Dartmoor Folk Festival.
“It goes far too quickly.
“Next year will be our 50th year.
“I wonder what Bob Cann, my grandad, the founder of the festival, would think of it today.
“Gramps was only around for the first 13 festivals before he passed away in 1990.
“His legacy lives on in preserving the song, music and dance of his dear ol’ Dartmoor. I think about him and Nan everyday.
“They were certainly looking down on us this year.
“Here’s to next year’s festival on August 6, 7 and 8.”

We had a wonderful afternoon of entertainment this afternoon at Folk for All hosted by Rocking Horse Money plus many oth...
09/08/2026

We had a wonderful afternoon of entertainment this afternoon at Folk for All hosted by Rocking Horse Money plus many others. There were dance displays, guest spots, ferret racing, children’s entertainment and a duck race with no water as the stream had dried up!
That free event was followed by a free concert with Dartmoor Harmony and Devon Youth Folk Ensemble!

09/08/2026

There was some fine music and dancing at the ceilidh with The Bismarcks and caller Aidan Hansell on Saturday evening at Dartmoor Folk Festival. 🎉💃🏽🕺🍻🎶🎵

Address

The Recreation Ground
South Zeal
EX202JL

Telephone

01837840102

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Dartmoor Folk Festival posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category