at the heart of the town and the festival, peacock lawn is the place to be for children and families!
It’s a safe, secure, and welcoming family area where you can enjoy daytime events and activities free of charge. Bring a picnic and stay for the day, or dip in and out of your favourite activities. There’ll be music, theatre, dance, crafting, tried and tested favourites as well as some unexpected and truly magical moments.
Find out more about the amazing activities for each age group below.
download the 2025 Children’s Programme here
Remember – tickets for Under 11s are FREE!
Whether you’re a day tripper, or week-long season ticket holder, we’ve got you and your family covered.
Check out our Families Guide for more hints & tips.
a warm welcome from Ellie Dimmock & David Gibb, Children’s Festival Producers
We are excited to welcome you all to Sidmouth Folk Festival Children’s Festival 2025!
Situated at the beautiful Peacock Lawn in the centre of Sidmouth, this is the perfect place for families of all ages to come and relax and find a space just for them. Throughout the week the Children’s Festival will be playing host to storytelling, dance, music, crafting and some very special surprises. If you love performing, then we’ve got you covered. Budding musicians can learn to play the ukulele, join the Stompers Ceilidh Band or The Minims, and warm up their vocal chords with the Sidmouth Mini Singers or the Sidmouth SongSwell Choir. For those who love to dance, there’s also lots on offer including rapper and clog workshops, mini morris, and even tiny morris for the very little ones. The ever-popular Craft Carousel is back with no end of exciting things to make and do, and if theatre and music is your thing, be sure to catch our evening performances where every night the country’s best storytellers, musicians and performers will be wowing our audiences with their talents. For ages 0-4 we’ve brought back The Rainbow Tent, our space specially designed with small people in mind. Kitted out with picture books and toys, this is safe, welcoming and colourful place to feed and change, and generally have a bit of quiet time later in the day for parents and their little ones. Finally, it wouldn’t be Sidmouth without the Torchlight Procession. Throughout the week, Thingumajig Theatre will be on hand to help you make a magical lantern to carry in the procession on Friday evening. However you and your family decide to spend your time at Sidmouth we hope you have a fantastic time.
Call out for young performers!
We’re on the look out for talented young people to showcase at this year’s festival! If you are a singer, musician, band, dancer or performer aged 21 or under…. you could be in with a chance to perform at the Young Performers Showcase events held on the Star Stage on Peacock Lawn. All details about what is involved and how to apply can be found at this Little Seeds Music page.
daytime fun – suitable for all the family
During the daytime, activities and events are free of charge but donations are welcome. Every penny given helps us create a fantastic children’s festival for families at Sidmouth each year.
Mornings at The Maypole!
Come and start your morning with a family maypole dance workshop led by Richard Surridge and Hannah Greaves, with music from Erin Brown and Barry Watson.
Young Performers Showcases
A showcase of some of the best young talent that the UK folk scene has to offer. Bring your lunch and a picnic blanket and enjoy some brilliant music.
Sidmouth Postman
Buddy up with someone else to send a letter or picture to (or choose to send it to a friend or family member). Then post it in the letterbox. All stationary is provided! Letters will be delivered each day at 1pm by the Sidmouth Postman and can be collected from Peacock Lawn fence all afternoon.
The Four Friends aka The Singing Donkey
Donkey doesn’t feel useful anymore and is ready for new adventures. As he sets off, he starts to sing and along the way makes new friends and they all sing together. A show about how it’s never too late to find your own voice and make new friends. Puppetry, masks and bags of audience interaction make this a fun and rowdy show for everyone.
Happy Bubbles Devon
Fun for all the family from 0 to 100 and beyond. Come and enjoy watching and making your own giant bubbles.
Torchlight Processional Lantern Workshop with Thingumajig Theatre
Come and make a lantern to take part in Friday’s Torchlight Procession. Children and their adults can either make their own lantern or help make a giant lantern puppet.
A Kidsummer Night’s Dream with Cut-Out Theatre
A fun fast-paced family version of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream with all the comedy and confusion of the original play plus audience interaction, songs and water pistols!
The Pirate Princess
This brand-new solo show by circus performer Gemma Bond tells the tale of poor shipwrecked Princess Poppy. Can she overcome a big dress, extreme weather and the ultimate test of strength to see her way to safety? Inspired by strong and inventive women of history, Poppy must transform physically and mentally if she is to have any hope of rescuing herself from eternity on an island in the ocean.
Forest School Fun with Wild Heart Wales
Make summer crowns for the lantern parade – Come and weave yourself a willow crown to decorate with ribbons and flowers and wear in the lantern parade.
Origin of The Night with El Gecko Con Botas
Discover a traditional North American tale shared through beautiful shadow puppetry and storytelling.
The Invisibles
These life-sized, hand-held puppets are full of personality, from the curious Sasha to glamorous Mrs Lulu and thoughtful Mr Léon. They’ll wander through the crowds, ready to chat, play, and share a smile. Les Hybrides is a roaming puppet experience where every walk is unique. Expect joyful surprises, spontaneous fun, and heartwarming moments for the whole family.
Family Ceilidh
with Erin Brown & Barry Watson.
Family Song & Tune Session
Child and baby friendly session with Erin Brown & Barry Watson
Children’s Festival Showcase
Featuring a wealth of talent and achievements from the Children’s Festival Workshops.
evening family fun
After a packed day of fun, nothing quite beats sitting down as a whole family and enjoying an evening of brilliant theatre, music, storytelling or dance.
Evening shows are ticketed – with priority to families with season tickets. Season tickets for Children (0-11) are free. Tickets will be sold on the door, space permitting. Children must be accompanied by ticket holding adults.
The Sidmouth Pyjama Party
As dusk falls, join us as Peacock Lawn plays host to the world’s first Sidmouth Folk Festival Pyjama Party with events including a Pyjama Ceilidh, Dream Interpretation, bedtime Storytelling from Under the Bed Theatre, marshmallow toasting (highlighted as this is pending Risk assessment queries) , and a dream catcher making workshop.
The Stars in The Sky
Once upon a time, and twice upon a time… An old woman dreams of playing with the stars. Inspired by a traditional folktale, this magical midwinter shadow puppet show is told with a “Crankie”, a 19th-century moving panorama that scrolls by hand, revealing a world of wonder. One night, guided by a pixie, she climbs the sky on invisible stairs – only to find the stars have vanished. Aided by strange and curious creatures this is a whimsical journey for dreamers of all ages.
Family Cajun Disco
There’s no better way to spend a Monday evening than our Family Cajun Disco. Come and join Joli Blon, an all-women Cajun band who play traditional dance music from the swamps of Louisiana. Expect stomping two-steps complete with epic disco lighting.
Family Campfire Session at the Bulverton!
For the first time ever, join us for a Family Campfire session at the Bulverton. Get ready to sing your heart out and enjoy some live music from some very special guests. Generously supported by Mark Clarke.
Smashing Stories with Peter Chand & Kirsten Millike
A journey around the world with interactive, vibrant and fun stories from one of Europe’s finest storytellers. Expect desperate mice, mardy aunties, kindly rabbits and much more. Peter has been a full-time storyteller for over twenty years, entertaining audiences all across the world. With family roots in the Punjab, India, he welcomes you to a storytelling session full of culture, language and rhythm!
A Stomping Ceilidh
Featuring the music of the Sidmouth Seaside Stompers, and appearances from Five Rivers Morris and Sheffield Steel. Caller: Nick Walden
Lantern Parade
Meet at Peacock Lawn from 8.45pm. From here we will head to Glen Road ready for the start of the Torchlight Procession at 10pm. The magical end to the Festival, the procession leads along the Esplanade onto the beach, followed by the traditional firework display.
4 years and under
Singing Hats with Karen and Phil Morris
Includes animal action songs, where children are encouraged to join in wearing animal hats or finger puppets to act out the stories. The sessions include many favourite songs, plus the chance to learn some new ones.
Makaton Folk Songs
Come and learn Makaton signs for some of your favourite nursery rhymes and children’s songs with qualified Makaton tutor and folk musician Charles Allison.
Let the Imagination Go Wild Yoga with Sarah Moss
We will be going on an exciting adventure, meeting many animals along the way, who are all very friendly and try to help! We allow our imagination to go wild and most importantly have lots of fun. We finish with lovely relaxation.
Tiny Morris
With Gilly Brenner, Charlotte Surridge, Becs and Doug Kell, and Kathryn Johnstone.
Have lots of fun trying different styles of Morris dancing to be seen in Sidmouth, all made fun and accessible for 3- & 4-year-olds with their parents
Teddies Hospital with Bev Langton
Bring your favourite teddy, dolly or any other soft toy and settle down to make them better. It might need a bandage or maybe a sling. Sometimes temperatures need checking or listen to their heartbeat with a toy stethoscope. Fun for all the little ones and we have a few spare teddies to loan out if need be.
5 -7 year olds
Makaton Workshop
Come and learn Makaton signs for some of your favourite folk songs with qualified Makaton tutor and folk musician Charles Allison.
The Minims
With Jon Brenner, Nelly Brewer, Becky Eden-Green and Chez Dunford
A chance to start playing in a folk band. We will learn straightforward tunes and explore playing in a band. Any level of confidence is welcome and older children who aren’t yet ready for The Stompers are welcome. Participants will need to bring their own instruments and be able to play at least a few notes! At the end of the week there will be a chance to perform at the Sidmouth Folk Festival Children’s Showcase.
Sidmouth Mini Singers
With Jackie Oates and Miriam Ayling.
Come along and learn lots of new songs and make new friends.
Let the Imagination Go Wild Yoga with Sarah Moss
We will be going on an exciting adventure, meeting many animals along the way, who are all very friendly and try to help! We allow our imagination to go wild and most importantly have lots of fun. We finish with lovely relaxation.
Mini Morris
With Gilly Brenner, Becs Kell, Doug Kell, Charlotte Surridge and Kathryn Johnstone.
Have lots of fun trying different styles of Morris dancing to be seen in Sidmouth. Across the Mini Morris sessions, we will have a go at Cotswold (hankies and sticks), Sword (not sharp ones!), Border (sticks) and Northwest (processional), all made fun and accessible for the 5-7 year olds. At the end of the week there will be a chance to perform at the Sidmouth Folk Festival Children’s Showcase.
Junk Music Drum Workshop with Drum Runners
An interactive workshop, learn to play rhythms with original songs and use audio looping pedals and other voice effects. There’ll be bike wheel drums and other junk percussion and a chance to make up and perform your own songs.
Story In A Box with Geoff Court & Team
Singing, dancing, paper, paint and glue. We will take a traditional folk song, fairy tale or story, and bring it to life in colourful craft creations that you can take home. Join us for single days or come along every day. On the final day, show everyone what you have made in our mini procession.
Forest School Fun with Wild Heart Wales
Bringing play, nature and creativity together for some family friendly fun, using natural materials to learn new skills and crafts. Various activities through the week.
Petals, Potions and Pixies – Come and decorate a willow wand to cast spells and mix up some flower potions. Make and decorate your own fairy friend to keep and create a little world for them.
Mini Den Building – Come and build little dens for some wildlife friends using natural materials, you could even bring your teddy and build them a cosy hideaway.
8 years and over
Beginners Ukulele
With Sue and Robert Hoskins. A fun introduction to the Ukulele, including singing and smiling!
Sidmouth Seaside Stompers
With Ray Langton and Team STOMPIT!
Bring your own instruments along and learn the tunes to play to the Stomping Ceilidh on Thursday Evening in the Blackmore Gardens Marquee. You need to be able to play a number of tunes on your instrument, either by ear or from music. Not suitable for absolute beginners – approximate musical ability grade 2 and upwards.
Sidmouth SongSwell Choir with Bryony Griffith
Come along and have fun learning some traditional folk songs, leading up to a performance at the Children’s Showcase on Friday.
Cotswold Morris Dance Workshop
Come and learn energetic stick and hankie dances with Five Rivers Morris from Sheffield. At the end of the week there will be a chance to perform at the Children’s Showcase.
Border Morris Workshop
Come and have a go at Border Morris with Cornish side Catseye Morris teaching you all the moves!
Rapper Dancing Workshop
Come and learn a fantastic rapper sword dance throughout the week with the brilliant Sheffield Steel, including the chance to perform at the Children’s Showcase. Wear shoes that can’t fly off!
Craft Carousel
An absolute favourite with festival children. Work in small groups and make something special to take away with you as a memento of your time at Sidmouth. Come along again and again as there will be different things to make.
Crafty Folk Festival Makes
With James and Jazz Bridgewater Court. From Tie Dye to Nature Printing, craft your own festival look.
Forest School Fun with Wild Heart Wales
Bringing play, nature and creativity together for some family friendly fun, using natural materials to learn new skills and crafts. Various activities through the week.
Wild Weaving – Come and learn some wild weaving techniques to make decorations to keep.
Felt Flower Making – Have a go learning how to wet felt with colourful wool and soap and make a felt flower to keep. Cut and sew dry felt shapes for different results.