What’s On?

With so much going on at Leigh Folk Festival - we've pulled together highlights, must-sees and best bits so you don’t miss out. From hours of free music across two stages and children’s activities in Leigh Library Gardens a makers market, great independent food traders, an open mic competition, storytelling, spoken word, comedy singarounds and more…

Music

At the heart of Leigh Folk Festival is a plethora of some 100 performances across three entirely free stages and a series of free ticketed concerts. Carefully curated local talent, emerging artists and the internationally renowned will all join us for our 30th anniversary. We have multi-award winners, composers of stage and screen, Glastonbury performers and even an MBE!

Music in Library Gardens starts daily at 11am until 7pm, entry to the park is free but may be restricted at busy times.

TICKETED EVENTS

Leigh Folk Festival’s ticketed concerts and shows bring nationally celebrated performers to intimate and unique settings. All of this years evening ticketed events are FREE apart from our open-air comedy-gala.

OPEN-AIR Comedy

After 2 sell-out years, our open-air comedy night is back! Ahead of Edinburgh Fringe, our intimate comedy in the park evening on Friday 23 June will welcome a line-up of side-splitting talent, set within the walls of the beautiful Victorian Library Gardens. Some content may be more adult in nature, this show is 16+ (adults must accompany those under 18s).

Sessions & Workshops

New this year, we have a dedicated Sessions and Workshops venue where all the activities will take place. Café Bar Hogar Del Mar, located at the end of St Clement’s Arcade, handily located across the road from the Leigh Library Gardens. Whether you want to learn a new skill or just join in a rousing chorus, we have something for you!

Festival Chorus: Sat & Sun 11:00 - 12:00
Beginners Ukulele: Sat 12:00 - 13:00
Beginners Tin Whistle: Sun 10:00-11:00
Irish Session by Taylor’s Twist: Sun 15:00-17:00

  • DANCE

    Showcasing traditional folk and international dance sides has long been an integral part of the fabric of Leigh Folk Festival. From taking part in a ceilidh to stumbling across a colourful troop of dancers with an abundance of movement, or simply witnessing the festival’s dance displays on Sunday - we recommend you get involved.

  • SPOKEN WORD & STORYTELLING

    Adding to the plethora of alternative entertainment throughout the festival is our Poetry by Candlelight evening in St Clements Church on Thursday 22 June and in the same venue a Storytelling performance by Shane Ibbs on Friday evening… plus storytelling for children with Shane on the morning of Saturday 24 June at St Clements.

  • CHILDREN'S AREA

    Our dedicated family-friendly area behind Leigh Library will be awash with colour and a hive of activity. Traditional Facepainting, try your hand at arts and crafts, a children’s open mic space, storytelling sessions, a creative writing workshop, plus live street art and theatre. (Big kids welcome too!)

makers market

Championing independent makers and traders both local and from across the region - support a range of local, organic and sustainable self-made businesses in Leigh Library Gardens on Saturday & Sunday.

Our market includes macrame, pottery & ceramics, handcrafted soaps, sustainable children’s toys, vintage clothing, artisan handmade chocolates, embroidery sets + artwork, handmade jewellery and independent art and photography prints.

YOGA WITH LIVE MUSIC

From Nexus Wellbeing CIC, yoga teacher Carmen Woods - A Breath of Light Yoga & jazz guitarist Raffaele Bizzoca have joined together to present a beautifully unique experience; a yoga class with live music. Join this FREE class on the Lower stage at 10:30 - 11:30, Saturday 24 June for an atmospheric experience that will bring your yoga practice to a new level of relaxation and enjoyment.

This inclusive yoga class is suitable for all ages, abilities and levels of accessibility. Please bring your own mat to practice on safely.

open mic comp

Could you be crowned our 2023 winner and play at the Leigh Folk Festival the next day? Applications are open to anyone who would like to perform at the Competition. 14 performers from a variety of musical backgrounds will play for a place in the final four. From there, a winner will be chosen and given a spot on one of the Festival stages on Sunday June 25! Our only stipulation is that you are not already booked to play at the Festival.

You'll need to have two songs to perform (originals or covers) and a possible third if you are selected for the final.

APPLICATIONS NOW CLOSED

street food

We’ve handpicked a number of sustainably-minded food traders to keep you well-fed throughout the weekend. Our food market will be based in Leigh Library Gardens with a mix of cuisines, savoury and sweet, great coffee and ice cream from local legends Rossi. The perfect accompaniment to a pint of Leigh-on-Sea Brewery Beer!