Barnsley Folk Festival 2027
Headline Acts, Free Family Fun & Ceilidhs

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Posted on 2nd August 2026

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First established in 1986, the Barnsley Folk Festival returns to celebrate the rich tradition of English and Irish folk music. Hosted and managed by Barnsley Civic, the five-day festival runs from Wednesday 19th to Sunday 23rd May 2027, bringing together renowned headline acts, local folk bands, dance workshops, and free outdoor family entertainment.

Centered around Barnsley Civic's historic theatre and the adjacent Mandela Gardens, the 2027 festival features major evening ticketed performances alongside accessible free daytime community events.

Headline Concerts 🎸🪕

Barnsley Civic has announced two major ticketed headline concerts for the 2027 weekend:

• Friday 21st May: An Evening with The Roberts: An exclusive joint performance featuring two BBC Radio 2 Folk Award-winning duos—Kathryn Roberts & Sean Lakeman alongside Gilmore & Roberts (featuring Kathryn's brother Jamie Roberts and Katriona Gilmore). Performing together on stage for the first time, this intimate concert celebrates one of Barnsley's most respected folk musical families, with support from singer-songwriter Jasmine Fearn.
• Saturday 22nd May: The Bar-Steward Sons of Val Doonican: Barnsley's own comedy-folk parody band takes over the theatre for their 20th anniversary year. Expect anarchic live comedy, acoustic parodies, and sweater-clad fans, with support from Balkanic ska turbo-folk group Lazlo Baby.

Festival Schedule & Community Events 🎻💃

In addition to the main theatre concerts, the 2027 schedule includes:

• Free Family Folk Day (Saturday 22nd May): A free daytime outdoor festival held in Mandela Gardens, featuring traditional dance displays, storytelling, children's craft workshops, street theatre, folk sessions, and food stalls.
• Free Sunday Ceilidh (Sunday 23rd May): A free traditional community ceilidh dance open to all ages.
• Evening Multi-Band Showcase (Sunday 23rd May, 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM): A standing theatre concert highlighting local and regional folk acts, including SHOON, The Hooliemen, Serious Sam Barrett, Parson's Lot, and Glass Ships.

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Plan Your Visit 📅

Essential visitor details for attending the festival:

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Ticketing

MIXED ENTRY

Tickets are required for evening theatre concerts (available at barnsleycivic.co.uk). Outdoor daytime events in Mandela Gardens and the Sunday ceilidh are completely free.

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2027 Event Dates

Wednesday 19th – Sunday 23rd May 2027
• Main concerts: Evening entry
• Community activities: Daytime hours

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Accessibility

Barnsley Civic features ramp access, lifts to all floors, and accessible seating spaces. Complimentary carer tickets are available via the box office.

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Box Office

Located inside Barnsley Civic on Eldon Street. Open Monday to Saturday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

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Visitor Tip

The Sunday evening multi-band showcase is an unallocated standing concert in the theatre designed to feel like a festival tent, with limited seating available around the edges.

Getting There 🗺️

📍 Venue Address:

Barnsley Civic, Eldon Street, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, S70 2JL

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🚆 By Train & Bus (Recommended)

Barnsley Civic is located directly opposite Barnsley Interchange rail and bus station (less than a 2-minute walk), with direct Northern rail connections to Sheffield, Leeds, and Wakefield.

🚗 Driving & Parking

Easily accessible via junction 37 of the M1. Pay-and-display town centre parking is available nearby at the Glassworks Car Park and Alhambra Shopping Centre car park.