22 - 25 May 2026
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2026
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Timetable: Family and Communities
Chippenham Folk Festival Family and Community events are fun, free events organised by volunteers for the benefit of everyone. We aim for events to be as inclusive as possible. Age ranges are given as guidance only, referring to the age range the activity will be aimed at. Younger participants are welcome with adult support, and participants above the suggested ages are welcome. Parent/guardians must remain with children accessing the area and are actively encouraged to join in! Participants with SEN are welcome with appropriate support.
To make the event as safe as possible, participants, spectators and volunteers are asked to take note of the following rules and guidelines:
- Whilst Chippenham Folk Festival fully accepts its duty of care and will do everything it can to create a safe and enjoyable environment for all, parent/guardians who ultimately have responsibility for the welfare of their children.
- We ask that the family event tents and the roped-off area between them be treated as a non-smoking space. Alcohol should not be taken into this area.
- We ask that dogs be kept on leads whilst in Island Park. We ask that only guide and or therapy dogs access the family event tents.
- Where possible, please leave buggies outside of family tents.
Currently publicised Family and Communities for 2026, there may be more
Jump to: Friday Saturday Sunday Monday
All Family and Communities are Donation.
Click on the event name for more information.
| Family and Communities on Friday 22nd May 2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| When | What | Where | Description | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 13:00 to 13:40 | TBC | Island Park: Community Stage | With: Details to follow | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 14:00 to 14:55 | M3G | Island Park: Community Stage | Chippenham's own M3G. A young singer-songwriter with a range of covers and own material. With: M3G | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 15:30 to 16:10 | Becky Syson | Island Park: Community Stage | Uplifting positive songs for the soul with Nottinghamshire singer-songwriter Becky Syson. With: Becky Syson | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 16:35 to 17:05 | The Downfielders | Island Park: Community Stage | The Downfielders are staples of the festival. A band based around the Downfield schools, Gloucestershire, With a constant turnover of students in the line up the band has been running for 40 years. With: The Downfielders | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 17:30 to 18:30 | Wings and Whispers | Island Park: Community Stage | Music inspired by the natural world and magical beings. Join the harp, voice, whistle, and guitar for a journey through English and American folk. With: Wings and Whispers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Family and Communities on Saturday 23rd May 2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| When | What | Where | Description | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10:00 to 10:25 | Chippenham Male Voice Choir | Island Park: Community Stage | Chippenham Male Voice Choir has performed since 1940 when formed as the Westinghouse Choir. We are excited to welcome to the community stage for their first time at the folk festival | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10:00 to 10:45 | Baby Bops Pre Walkers | Island Park: Under 5s dome | Songs and rhymes for babies with bubbles and sensory-led fun. With: Becky Bops | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10:00 to 14:00 | The Magic Lantern | Island Park: The Magic Lantern (Shadow puppet theatre) | Work with our puppeteer and storytellers at the Spectacular Magic Lantern, Make your own shadow puppets and bring your song and stories to life. With: Ian Douglas, Jo Douglas, Gacko, Professor Pumpernickel | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10:45 to 11:20 | Bristol Youth Folk | Island Park: Community Stage | A brand new group for kids in the Bristol area, aged 6-16, who are interested in learning about all types of folk - from Cotswold to Molly, Rapper to Border. With: Bristol Youth Folk | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11:00 to 11:45 | Children's Ceilidh Workshop | Island Park: Make and Do tent | Can't wait till the children's ceilidh on Monday? Naomi from Fairy Tale Family Folk Dance will have you spinning in no time with games designed to introduce key ceilidh calls and moves. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11:10 to 11:50 | Toddle Bops Pre Walkers | Island Park: Under 5s dome | Music mayhem for little folk with parachute play, shaky eggs, sensory scarves, bubbles and more! With: Becky Bops | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11:40 to 12:10 | Wiltshire Young Musicians | Island Park: Community Stage | Wiltshire Young Musicians draw school-age musicians from across the county, playing in a variety of different ensembles - including orchestras, windbands, choirs and bands. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12:00 to 13:00 | Dance Workshop with the Bristol Youth Project | Island Park: Make and Do tent | With: Bristol Youth Folk | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12:25 to 12:50 | Maypole Performance with Langley Fitzhurse C of E Primary School | Island Park: Community Stage | A local primary school whose maypole team are regulars to the festival. Don't forget to stick around to have a go with Let us Dance after this afternoons parade! | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 13:15 to 13:50 | The Magicians Nephew | Island Park: Community Stage | A lively ceilidh band, made up of members from The Bristol Folk House Choir, performing their concert set with ceilidh tune as well as 4 part harmony singing. With: The Magician’s Nephew | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 13:30 to 16:30 | Scrap Attack: | Island Park: Make and Do tent | Craft session with Wiltshire Scrapstore All donated scrap that would have gone into landfill. With: The Wiltshire Scrapstore | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 13:50 to 14:10 | The Bristol Folk House Choir | Island Park: Community Stage | A lively community choir covering a wide range of folk songs With: Bristol Folk House Choir | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 14:15 to 14:30 | Parade Passes the Community Stage | Island Park: Community Stage | The stage will pause as the Parade passes the stage : Please make way and stay off the path, allowing the parade to pass to the Island Park Stage With: Details to follow | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 14:25 to 15:15 | Singing Hats | Island Park: Under 5s dome | Karen and Phil Morris unique show using self-made animal hats and finger puppets to enhance the music and encourage all to join in the experience. With: Singing Hats | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 15:00 to 17:00 | The Magic Lantern | Island Park: The Magic Lantern (Shadow puppet theatre) | Work with our puppeteer and storytellers at the Spectacular Magic Lantern, Make your own shadow puppets and bring your song and stories to life. With: Ian Douglas, Jo Douglas, Gacko, Professor Pumpernickel | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 15:00 to 15:40 | Folk Friendzy: A workshop mashup | Island Park: Community Stage | Folk Friendzy are regular performers on the community stage but this year they are inviting you to have ago at their unique style. A high-energy workshop blending traditional dance with popular music. With: Folk Friendzy (Clog, Morris (northwest/border), Rapper, Irish) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 16:00 to 17:00 | Keith Donnelly Family Fun Show | Island Park: Community Stage | Laughs, songs and stories with the wonderful and mischievous Keith Donnelly With: Keith Donnelly | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 17:30 to 18:30 | Wiltshire Concert Band | Island Park: Community Stage | With woodwind, brass and percussion sections, the band repertoire is vast and ranges from traditional marches to big band classics, popular musical shows and arrangements of classical music. With: Wiltshire Concert Band formerly the Wiltshire Police Band | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 20:00 to 21:30 | The Magic Lantern: Telling Tales at Twilight | Island Park: The Magic Lantern (Shadow puppet theatre) | The Magic Lantern presents: Telling Tales at Twilight, a magical and spectacular evening of story and shadow puppetry. With: Ian Douglas, Jo Douglas, Gacko, Professor Pumpernickel | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Family and Communities on Sunday 24th May 2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| When | What | Where | Description | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10:00 to 10:45 | Bristol Youth Folk | Island Park: Community Stage | A brand new group for kids in the Bristol area, aged 6-16, who are interested in learning about all types of folk - from Cotswold to Molly, Rapper to Border. With: Bristol Youth Folk | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10:00 to 13:00 | Circus Skills with Clare's Circus | Island Park: Make and Do tent | Run away with the circus! Local artist Clare has all you need to learn the skills of the trade With: Clare’s Circus | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10:00 to 10:45 | Baby Bops Pre Walkers | Island Park: Under 5s dome | Songs and rhymes for babies with bubbles and sensory-led fun. With: Becky Bops | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10:00 to 14:00 | The Magic Lantern | Island Park: The Magic Lantern (Shadow puppet theatre) | Work with our puppeteer and storytellers at the Spectacular Magic Lantern, Make your own shadow puppets and bring your song and stories to life. With: Ian Douglas, Jo Douglas, Gacko, Professor Pumpernickel | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11:00 to 11:45 | NYFTE Workshop | Island Park: Community Stage | The National Youth Folk Troupe of England teach us some traditional dance styles. Suitable for all ages. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11:10 to 11:50 | Toddle Bops Pre Walkers | Island Park: Under 5s dome | Music mayhem for little folk with parachute play, shaky eggs, sensory scarves, bubbles and more! With: Becky Bops | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12:00 to 12:30 | Show Choir | Island Park: Community Stage | Singing songs from smash hit West End musicals as well as lesser-known off-Broadway gems, all in a cappella, Chippenham & Swindon Show Choirs join forces | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12:15 to 13:15 | Singing Hats | Island Park: Under 5s dome | Karen and Phil Morris unique show using self-made animal hats and finger puppets to enhance the music and encourage all to join in the experience. With: Singing Hats | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 13:30 to 16:30 | Scrap Attack: | Island Park: Make and Do tent | Craft session with Wiltshire Scrapstore All donated scrap that would have gone into landfill. With: The Wiltshire Scrapstore | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 14:00 to 15:00 | Wee Folkies: Inclusive Music Making | Island Park: Under 5s dome | Inclusive music-making workshops suitable for all children up to the age of 10, exploring sensory themes and playfulness! With: Ben Matthews and friends | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 15:00 to 16:20 | NYFTE Show Case | Island Park: Community Stage | NYFTE (pronounced "nifty") are a team of 10-18 year olds from all over the country, performing a wide range of dance styles, song and musicianship. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 15:00 to 17:00 | The Magic Lantern | Island Park: The Magic Lantern (Shadow puppet theatre) | Work with our puppeteer and storytellers at the Spectacular Magic Lantern, Make your own shadow puppets and bring your song and stories to life. With: Ian Douglas, Jo Douglas, Gacko, Professor Pumpernickel | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 15:30 to 16:30 | Jackie Oates songs with children and parents | Island Park: Under 5s dome | Festival headliner Jackie Oates visits the Under 5's Dome to lead an acoustic song session specifically for children and their parents With: Jackie Oates | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 16:45 to 17:15 | The Cause Community Choir | Island Park: Community Stage | A collective of singers and musicians performing a wide variety of songs based at the Cause Music Centre Chippenham. With: Cause Community Choir | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 17:30 to 18:30 | Keith Donnelly The Keith Donnelly Comedy Hour | Island Park: Community Stage | Fun for all the family with Keith Donnelly With: Keith Donnelly | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 20:00 to 21:30 | The Magic Lantern: Telling Tales at Twilight | Island Park: The Magic Lantern (Shadow puppet theatre) | The Magic Lantern presents: Telling Tales at Twilight, a magical and spectacular evening of story and shadow puppetry. With: Ian Douglas, Jo Douglas, Gacko, Professor Pumpernickel | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Family and Communities on Monday 25th May 2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| When | What | Where | Description | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 09:40 to 10:00 | SOUNDCHECK - Hot Club of Folk Town | Island Park: Community Stage | With: Hot Club of Folk Town , Jenny Rogers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10:00 to 11:00 | Hot Club of Folk Town | Island Park: Community Stage | Regulars in the local folk scene, Margaret on Fiddle and Ross on Guitar, bring Roots music with a top dressing of swing. This year, they're joined by Freestyle Appalachian flatfoot dancer Jennifer Rogers. With: Hot Club of Folk Town , Jenny Rogers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10:00 to 13:00 | Circus Skills with Clare's Circus | Island Park: Make and Do tent | Run away with the circus! Local artist Clare has all you need to learn the skills of the trade With: Clare’s Circus | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10:00 to 10:45 | Baby Bops Pre Walkers | Island Park: Under 5s dome | Songs and rhymes for babies with bubbles and sensory-led fun. With: Becky Bops | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10:00 to 14:00 | The Magic Lantern | Island Park: The Magic Lantern (Shadow puppet theatre) | Work with our puppeteer and storytellers at the Spectacular Magic Lantern, Make your own shadow puppets and bring your song and stories to life. With: Ian Douglas, Jo Douglas, Gacko, Professor Pumpernickel | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11:10 to 11:50 | Toddle Bops Pre Walkers | Island Park: Under 5s dome | Music mayhem for little folk with parachute play, shaky eggs, sensory scarves, bubbles and more! With: Becky Bops | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11:35 to 12:35 | Family Fairy-tale Ceilidh | Island Park: Community Stage | Specifically for children and families, Led by Fairy Tale Folk Dance to the wonderful Downfielders. Bringing a sprinkle of fairy dust and story telling to introduce our youngest attendees to the fun to be had in ceilidh dancing. Costumes encouraged! | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12:55 to 13:20 | The Good afternoon Choir | Island Park: Community Stage | The Chippenham & Calne Good Afternoon Choir (one of 23 FUN community choirs that sing in the afternoons) led by the wonderful Matt Finch. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 13:30 to 16:30 | Scrap Attack: | Island Park: Make and Do tent | Craft session with Wiltshire Scrapstore All donated scrap that would have gone into landfill. With: The Wiltshire Scrapstore | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 13:45 to 14:10 | Sounds with your feet | Island Park: Community Stage | Explore where making sound with your feet can take you with Clog dancer Vikki Lewis. With: Vikki Grimsley , Manny Grimsley | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 14:15 to 14:55 | The Parade passes the Community Stage | Island Park: Community Stage | The stage will pause as the Parade passes the stage : Please make way and stay off the path, allowing the parade to pass to the Island Park Stage With: Details to follow | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 14:15 to 15:15 | Wee Folkies: Inclusive Music Making | Island Park: Under 5s dome | Inclusive music-making workshops suitable for all children up to the age of 10, exploring sensory themes and playfulness! With: Ben Matthews and friends | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 15:00 to 16:00 | Shooting Roots Showcase | Island Park: Community Stage | Come and see the fantastic results of our Shooting Roots workshops, held over the weekend, and support our festival youth! With: Shooting Roots | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 15:30 to 16:30 | Singing Hats | Island Park: Under 5s dome | Karen and Phil Morris unique show using self-made animal hats and finger puppets to enhance the music and encourage all to join in the experience. With: Singing Hats | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 16:20 to 17:05 | The grand exhibition of contraptions and curiosities. | Island Park: Community Stage | A chaotic show loaded with myths, music, magic and mayhem featuring, songs, stories, sparkles and silliness. A bewildering and often breathtaking hour of absolute puerility. With: Ian Douglas, Professor Pumpernickel, Gacko | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 17:30 to 18:30 | Helian | Island Park: Community Stage | Helian is a folk band blending gentle melodies, rich harmonies, and earthy storytelling to create music that feels both ancient and alive. With: Helian | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||