folk dance has been the essence of sidmouth folk festival since the very beginning in 1955!
And next summer will be no exception. With a full week of amazing dances and workshops, the 2026 festival promises to be another fun-filled week at the seaside!
Full 2026 details coming soon!
Some first names announced including…
Linda Game Band (contra) ● Stomping Ground (contra) ● Contrary Faeries (contra) ● Lewis Wood & Helen Gentle (Bal) ● Oscina (Bal) ● Pagoda Project (Paul Hutchinson, Karen Wimhurst, Hannah Cumming).
First callers & tutors announced including Geoff Cubitt (Contra and Squares) ● Mark Elvins (mixed) ● Anne Hinchcliffe (Historical Dance) ● Sam Tetley-Smith (Contra) ● Kevin & Carol Monaghan (Irish Set) ● Kerry Fletcher (Euro)
Caller style
A variety of teaching and calling styles are used at dances and dance workshops. These will be listed in the Main Programme which is out in July.
Caller Listings Key
A variety of teaching and calling styles are used at dances and dance workshops. The calling/teaching style of an event is indicated in the event descriptions using a code: (P), (G) or (A):
(P) indicates that an event will be called without using role terms, emphasizing positional patterns, flow, and relationships between dancers (e.g. neighbour, opposite, people facing the windows).
(G) indicates that an event will be called using gendered role terms, in addition to positional descriptors.
(A) indicates that an event will be called using alternative ungendered role terms (e.g. lead/follow or larks/robins), in addition to positional descriptors.
discover more
From American to Bal, Contra to Playford, Regency, English, Irish & more, there are a wide range of dance workshops each day, catering for a wide range of experience and ability. Workshops are open to Season, All-in-One or Workshop Ticket holders, or tickets can be bought on the door, space permitting.
You don’t need to bring a partner to any of the dance workshops.
like dance?
Check out What’s On for ceilidhs, display dance, LNEs, and even more dance workshops.