22 - 25 May 2026
22 - 25
May
2026
Timetable: Folk Dances
The calling/teaching style for each ceilidh and folk dance event is specified in its event description.
  • The code (P) indicates that an event will be called/taught positionally (i.e., emphasising patterns, flow and relationships between dancers, e.g., neighbour, opposite, people facing the windows, first corners, and using those ideas rather than role terms).
  • The code (G) indicates that an event will be called/taught with some use of gendered role terms (e.g., men/women, ladies/gents).
  • The code (A) indicates that an event will be called/taught with some use of nongendered role terms (e.g., larks/robins or, for some couple dances, lead/follow) instead."
Culture and community expectations at folk dance events

Currently publicised Folk Dances for 2026, there may be more

Jump to: Friday Saturday Sunday Monday

Click on the event name for more information.

Folk Dances on Friday 22nd May 2026
WhenWhatWhereDescriptionPrice
19:30 to 22:30American danceTown Hall: NeeldA fun Friday evening of American contras (P)

With: Nicola Scott, Bearded Dragons

Weekend tickets Only
19:30 to 22:30Mixed/English dance St Paul's ChurchWith: Victoria Yeomans, Matthew Coatsworth, Jacqueline Schwab (US), Ali MesserWeekend tickets Only
19:30 to 22:30Mixed/English dance Town Hall: Town HallWith: Liam Binley, Pete & Sue HallWeekend tickets Only
20:00 to 22:30BalOlympiad: RiverbankAn evening of balfolk dancing, interspersing popular balfolk dances (such as bourrees, mazurkas and scottishes) with regional French dances. (A/P)

With: Shivelight, Ravi Sawney

Weekend tickets Only
22:30 to 23:30Post-Bal Session and DancingOlympiad: RiverbankWeekend tickets Only

Folk Dances on Saturday 23rd May 2026
WhenWhatWhereDescriptionPrice
09:30 to 11:00English workshopTown Hall: NeeldWith: Orly Krasner (US), John Hymas & Denise BearonWeekend or Day tickets Only
09:30 to 11:00American workshop - "Making Waves"Olympiad: Sports HallContras and squares with waves (G)

With: Geoff Cubitt, Bearded Dragons

Weekend or Day tickets Only
09:30 to 11:00Mixed/English workshopTown Hall: Town HallWith: Victoria Yeomans, JAMBWeekend or Day tickets Only
09:30 to 11:00Folk Dance Basics and Beyond Olympiad: RiverbankWith: Bob Morgan, Linda Game & Gareth KiddierWeekend or Day tickets Only
11:15 to 12:45English workshopTown Hall: NeeldWith: Liam Binley, John Hymas & Denise BearonWeekend or Day tickets Only
11:15 to 12:40American workshopOlympiad: Sports HallWith: Diane Silver (US), Bearded DragonsWeekend or Day tickets Only
11:15 to 12:45Mixed workshop - "A Trip to Scotland"Town Hall: Town HallScottish dances for English country dancers, learn some new figures from Scottish dances interpreted for an ECD style (G)

With: Nicola Scott, JAMB

Weekend or Day tickets Only
11:15 to 12:45Callers' workshop - "The Walkthrough"Olympiad: RiverbankOften overlooked, a solid walkthrough can set your dancers up for success and let the caller drop out more quickly. Walkthroughs can also be opportunities to remind people about points of convention, style, and safety. In this workshop, we’ll share different strategies, including different calling styles, and best practices using practical examples, discuss how to prepare successful walkthroughs for new-to-you dances, and more.

With: Louise Siddons

Weekend or Day tickets Only
13:00 to 13:40Callers' roundOlympiad: RiverbankWith: Fee LockWeekend or Day tickets Only
14:00 to 15:30English workshopTown Hall: NeeldWith: Orly Krasner (US), Matthew Coatsworth, Jacqueline Schwab (US), Ali MesserWeekend or Day tickets Only
14:00 to 15:30American workshop - "What the Hey"Olympiad: Sports HallAll the heys, with a focus on shape, timing, and flow. Contras, squares, maybe even a triplet! (P)

With: Louise Siddons

Weekend or Day tickets Only
14:00 to 15:30Irish set dance workshopTown Hall: Town HallWith: Kevin & Carol MonaghanWeekend or Day tickets Only
14:00 to 15:30Bal workshopOlympiad: RiverbankWith: Lucy Huzzard, ShivelightWeekend or Day tickets Only
15:45 to 17:15English workshopTown Hall: NeeldWith: Liam Binley, Matthew Coatsworth, Jacqueline Schwab (US), Ali MesserWeekend or Day tickets Only
15:45 to 17:15American workshopOlympiad: Sports HallWith: Diane Silver (US)Weekend or Day tickets Only
15:45 to 17:15Irish set dance workshopTown Hall: Town HallWith: Kevin & Carol MonaghanWeekend or Day tickets Only
15:45 to 17:15Bal workshopOlympiad: RiverbankWith: Lucy Huzzard, ShivelightWeekend or Day tickets Only
17:30 to 19:25Zesty ContraOlympiad: Sports HallWith: Geoff Cubitt, Bearded DragonsWeekend or Day tickets Only
19:30 to 22:30Playford BallTown Hall: NeeldWith: Orly Krasner (US), Matthew Coatsworth, Jacqueline Schwab (US), Ali MesserWeekend or Day tickets Only
19:30 to 22:30American danceSt Paul's ChurchWith: Diane Silver (US), Linda Game & Gareth KiddierWeekend or Day tickets Only
19:30 to 22:30Mixed danceTown Hall: Town HallA mixture of Nicola's favourites from ECD, Scottish and American dances (G)

With: Nicola Scott, John Hymas & Denise Bearon

Weekend or Day tickets Only
19:30 to 20:20Pre-Bal Session and DancingOlympiad: RiverbankWeekend or Day tickets Only
20:30 to 22:40BalOlympiad: RiverbankWith: Lucy Huzzard, Nicky McConkey & Richard ScottWeekend or Day tickets Only
22:40 to 23:30Post-Bal Session and DancingOlympiad: RiverbankWeekend or Day tickets Only

Folk Dances on Sunday 24th May 2026
WhenWhatWhereDescriptionPrice
09:30 to 11:00Mixed/English workshopTown Hall: NeeldWith: Victoria Yeomans, Pete & Sue HallWeekend or Day tickets Only
09:30 to 11:00American workshopOlympiad: Sports HallWith: Diane Silver (US)Weekend or Day tickets Only
09:30 to 11:00Mixed/English workshopTown Hall: Town HallWith: Liam Binley, Matthew Coatsworth, Jacqueline Schwab (US), Ali MesserWeekend or Day tickets Only
09:30 to 11:00Callers' workshop - squaresOlympiad: RiverbankWith: Geoff Cubitt, Linda Game & Gareth KiddierWeekend or Day tickets Only
11:15 to 12:45English workshopTown Hall: NeeldWith: Liam Binley, Pete & Sue HallWeekend or Day tickets Only
11:15 to 12:40American workshop - "Grid Squares, Exploding Squares etc"Olympiad: Sports HallSquares and contras that move you from set to set (and sometimes back) (G)

With: Geoff Cubitt

Weekend or Day tickets Only
11:15 to 12:45Musicians workshopTown Hall: Town HallWith: Matthew Coatsworth, Jacqueline Schwab (US), Ali MesserWeekend or Day tickets Only
11:15 to 12:45American workshop - "No-Swing Contras"Olympiad: RiverbankZesty dances, hot music, no swings. Are you ready for the Peterborough (New Hampshire) Challenge? (P)

With: Louise Siddons, Linda Game & Gareth Kiddier

Weekend or Day tickets Only
13:00 to 13:40Callers' roundOlympiad: RiverbankWith: Diane Silver (US)Weekend or Day tickets Only
14:00 to 15:30Callers' showcase danceTown Hall: NeeldWith: Bob Morgan, John Hymas & Denise BearonWeekend or Day tickets Only
14:00 to 15:30English workshopOlympiad: Sports HallWith: Orly Krasner (US), Pete & Sue HallWeekend or Day tickets Only
14:00 to 15:30Irish set dance workshopTown Hall: Town HallWith: Kevin & Carol MonaghanWeekend or Day tickets Only
14:00 to 15:30Mixed Workshop - "Dances for odd numbers"Olympiad: RiverbankDances for odd numbers - including dances for 3, 5, 7 dancers, maybe more! (P)

With: Nicola Scott, Bearded Dragons

Weekend or Day tickets Only
15:45 to 17:15Harriet Willes BallTown Hall: NeeldMiss Harriet Willes invites you to attend an afternoon of her favourite dances, as documented in her own hand. Fans of Jane Austen and her milieu will learn a bit of local history and some authentic, accessible social dances in this workshop organised in collaboration with the 'Music, Heritage, Place' research project. (G)

With: Louise Siddons, John Hymas & Denise Bearon

Weekend or Day tickets Only
15:45 to 17:15American workshop - "4 Square"Olympiad: Sports HallSquares and double contras (G)

With: Geoff Cubitt, JAMB

Weekend or Day tickets Only
15:45 to 17:15Irish set dance workshopTown Hall: Town HallWith: Kevin & Carol MonaghanWeekend or Day tickets Only
17:30 to 19:25Zesty PlayfordOlympiad: Sports HallDances published between 1651 and 1730 that reward energy and musicality. Some familiar favourites and perhaps some surprises! (P)

With: Louise Siddons, JAMB

Weekend or Day tickets Only
19:30 to 22:30American danceTown Hall: NeeldWith: Geoff Cubitt, Definitely ContrabandWeekend or Day tickets Only
19:30 to 22:30English danceSt Paul's ChurchWith: Orly Krasner (US), John Hymas & Denise BearonWeekend or Day tickets Only
19:30 to 22:30Irish ceiliTown Hall: Town HallWith: Kevin & Carol Monaghan, WillPowerWeekend or Day tickets Only
19:45 to 22:45Techno ContraOlympiad: RiverbankThis one’s about the vibes and the flow — and don’t forget your glow necklace. (P)

With: Louise Siddons, Bearded Dragons

Weekend or Day tickets Only

Folk Dances on Monday 25th May 2026
WhenWhatWhereDescriptionPrice
09:30 to 11:00American workshop - "Me and My Shadow"Town Hall: NeeldAmerican contra dances where you interact with your partner, neighbour and a friendly shadow (or two!) who follows you through the dance. (P)

With: Nicola Scott

Weekend or Day tickets Only
09:30 to 11:00Mixed/English workshopOlympiad: Sports HallWith: Victoria Yeomans, JAMBWeekend or Day tickets Only
09:30 to 11:00Mixed/English workshopTown Hall: Town HallWith: Liam Binley, Pete & Sue HallWeekend or Day tickets Only
09:30 to 11:00Callers' workshop - squaresOlympiad: RiverbankWith: Geoff Cubitt, Linda Game & Gareth KiddierWeekend or Day tickets Only
11:15 to 12:45American workshopTown Hall: NeeldWith: Diane Silver (US)Weekend or Day tickets Only
11:15 to 12:40Mixed/English workshopOlympiad: Sports HallWith: Orly Krasner (US), JAMBWeekend or Day tickets Only
11:15 to 12:45Mixed/English workshopTown Hall: Town HallWith: Liam Binley, Pete & Sue HallWeekend or Day tickets Only
11:15 to 12:45Dance organisers' roundOlympiad: RiverbankWeekend or Day tickets Only
14:00 to 15:30English workshopTown Hall: NeeldWith: Victoria Yeomans, Pete & Sue HallWeekend or Day tickets Only
14:00 to 15:30American workshop - "Not just duple minors!"Olympiad: Sports HallAmerican dances in different formations - longwise, Becket, Mescolanza, triplets and more! (P)

With: Nicola Scott, WillPower

Weekend or Day tickets Only
14:00 to 15:30Scandi workshopOlympiad: RiverbankWith: Lucy Huzzard, Nicky McConkey & Richard ScottWeekend or Day tickets Only
15:45 to 17:15English workshop - "Timing is Everything"Town Hall: NeeldSome of the most satisfying moments in dance come from nailing the timing of a connection, a lead forward, or a back-to-back. In this workshop we will discover those moments in our favourite dances from the long and living Playford tradition, finding the joy in perfectly-timed transitions and the beauty they create. (P)

With: Louise Siddons, Jacqueline Schwab (US), Ali Messer

Weekend or Day tickets Only
15:45 to 17:15American workshop -"Fun With Beckets"Olympiad: Sports HallFun With Beckets! (G)

With: Geoff Cubitt, WillPower

Weekend or Day tickets Only
15:45 to 17:15Scandi workshopOlympiad: RiverbankWith: Lucy Huzzard, Nicky McConkey & Richard ScottWeekend or Day tickets Only
17:30 to 18:55Zesty ContraOlympiad: Sports HallZesty Contras. Do you like skipping your heys, and allemanding twice around instead of once? Nothing too taxing, just lively contras you can enjoy to their fullest. (P)

With: Louise Siddons, WillPower

Weekend or Day tickets Only
19:30 to 22:30Mixed/English danceTown Hall: NeeldWith: Victoria Yeomans, Jacqueline Schwab (US), Ali MesserWeekend or Day tickets Only
19:30 to 22:30American danceTown Hall: Town HallWith: Diane Silver (US), Bearded DragonsWeekend or Day tickets Only
19:30 to 20:10Pre- bal / scandi dance session and dancingOlympiad: RiverbankWeekend or Day tickets Only
20:15 to 22:30Bal and Scandi DanceOlympiad: RiverbankWith: Lucy Huzzard & Tasmin Elliot, Nicky McConkey & Richard ScottWeekend or Day tickets Only

If you would like to see what we had last time: Folk Dances in 2025