Kicking off last night was a superb sell-out pre-Festival Concert with Tyneside legends, Lindisfarne, who brought the house down with their greatest hits Fog On The Tyne and Meet Me On The Corner amongst their winning repertoire. And not forgetting the traditional informal start to the festival in the Market Square, hosted by Great Western Morris, and featuring some great local dance sides!

This afternoon sees the second pre-Festival Concert take place at 3pm in The Ham, with one of the greatest storytellers, and a firm festival favourite, Ralph McTell, supported by superb young South West singer-songwriter Kitty Macfarlane! And then, we launch straight into a busy programme of over 700 events to keep everybody happy! Tonight the evocative harmonies and playing of two great acts feature at The Ham, Lady Maisery and The Askew Sisters and there’s a great night of dancing at The Bulverton with the brilliant Banter.

Sunday features a host of unique events which make a visit into town well-worth the effort! Spooky Men’s Chorale make a world record attempt (with your help) at the MANcarena (not what you may be thinking!) at 11.30am at Port Royal. Canter along to Port Royal at 1.30pm for a bit of horseplay with the Sidmouth Horse Trials: an all-comers event for Hobby Horses, Unicorns, Goats, Morris animals and other Beasts of Disguise!

And Young talent abounds at The Ham lunchtime concert (12pm) with the inspiringly-good National Youth Folk Ensemble. The afternoon offers a smorgasbord of delights from the Cellar Full of Folkadelia with Kurdish singer Cigdem Aslan & Tahir Palali and amazing young fingerstyle guitarist Gwenifer Raymond; a pared-down acoustic Merry Hell line-up at The Ham and a storming evening show with Steve Knightley and Friends in 50 Shades Of Sidmouth. In this show, our great friend Steve will look back over the last 50 years with songs and guests that reflect his own musical journey from beachside busker to Festival Patron.  And, of course, up the hill, there’s an incredible Sounds Of Modern Scotland Party Night with the incendiary Skye-based Peatbog Faeries.  

Book your tickets here.