BEVERLEY – Beverley Folk Festival is set to return this June, bringing another weekend of live music to venues across the town and continuing one of Beverley’s best-established cultural events.
Running from 19 to 21 June, the festival has built a long reputation for mixing nationally known acts with local performers in a setting that suits it perfectly. Instead of a single field or arena, the festival unfolds across Beverley itself, using churches, galleries and town-centre venues to create something that feels rooted in place rather than bolted on.
This year’s programme includes a Thursday warm-up show with Chris Cleverley and Emily Slade at POMA, followed on Friday by Stornoway and Janileigh Cohen at St Mary’s Church. On Saturday there is a matinee performance by Danny Bradley at Beverley Art Gallery, with more performances continuing across the weekend.
Tickets are still available, with headline events on sale through the official festival website. Camping passes were also still being offered at the time of writing.
Ward Thomas will be the Saturday night headline at East Riding Theatre.
Beverley Folk Festival has been going since 1983 and has become part of the town’s summer calendar. Over the years it has helped give Beverley a reputation as a place that can support live music and smaller-scale arts events without trying to imitate bigger cities. That is part of its appeal. The weekend tends to draw a mix of dedicated folk audiences, casual visitors and local people who simply want to spend time in town while something is happening.
It also suits Beverley well. A festival built around acoustic music, intimate venues and walkable streets feels at home here. Audiences move between performances, cafés, pubs and restaurants, and the town gets the kind of atmosphere that larger commercial festivals often cannot offer.
For local businesses, it is another welcome summer weekend bringing people into Beverley’s centre. For audiences, it is a chance to hear strong live music in surroundings with a bit more character than the usual circuit.
The full programme is available online, and with tickets still on sale there is still time to catch this year’s festival.