22 - 25 May 2026
22 - 25
May
2026
May
2026
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Timetable: Sessions
Whether you're thing is tunes or singing, English, Irish, Bal or Scandi prefer it fast or steady, your a regular to sessions or just starting out we are confident you will find something for you.
In addition to our scheduled sessions, there are other impromptu sessions around town, late into the night and often into the early hours!
The best venues to find a session are:
- The Moongazing Hare (The bar on Island Park)
- The Old Road Tavern
- The 3 Crowns
- The Cause (Folk Club Format)
- Wine Monkey
Song Sessions Look out for song sessions led by festival artists at the 3 Crowns and in the Angel. Following feedback from previous years we have arranged that the sides of the food court tent will be put on from 8pm to allow singers to gather there to sing but these will not be "led" sessions.
Jump to: Friday Saturday Sunday Monday
All Sessions are Donation.
Click on the event name for more information.
| Sessions on Friday 22nd May 2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| When | What | Where | Description | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 13:00 to 15:00 | Session hosted by Sarah Matthews & Doug Eunson | Island Park: Moongazing Hare (Bar) | Doug Eunson & Sarah Matthews are familiar faces at many folk festivals. They play fabulous English and European dance music on Fiddle, Melodeon & Hurdy Gurdy | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 15:00 to 18:00 | Session hosted by Manny Grimsley | Island Park: Moongazing Hare (Bar) | Manny, who plays fiddle & melodeon is a member of Relentless and a familiar face at many festival sessions. With: Manny Grimsley | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 18:00 to 21:00 | Session hosted by Sheaf | Island Park: Moongazing Hare (Bar) | Penny Kempson, Will Sartin and Lewis Jones are deeply rooted in the folk tradition and have performed in bands and sessions across the UK and beyond. With: Sheaf | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 19:00 to 24:00 | Irish Session | Old Road Tavern | Join the pub in Chippenham where you will find music sessions year-round, for the first of its festival Irish sessions. All welcome. With: Details to follow | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 20:00 to 22:30 | Welcome Sing‑around | Angel Hotel : Angel Front Lounge | Kick off the festival with George Dale and Mike Gibson! Our welcome sing-around is the perfect place to share a song, lead a chorus, or just listen in. All styles and voices are warmly invited. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 21:00 to 23:00 | Session hosted by Ali Barnes | Island Park: Moongazing Hare (Bar) | Ali Barnes is an experienced performer and sought after session player specialising in Irish and Scottish traditional music but she is equally happy playing good tunes in other genres With: Ali Barnes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sessions on Saturday 23rd May 2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| When | What | Where | Description | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11:00 to 24:00 | Irish Session | Old Road Tavern | Join the pub in Chippenham where you will find music sessions year-round, for the first of its festival Irish sessions. All welcome. With: Details to follow | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11:00 to 13:00 | Session hosted by some of Trinculo | Island Park: Moongazing Hare (Bar) | Trinculo are only at the festival for one day and have a soundcheck part way through the session but have agreed to kick it off and stay as long as they are able. We are very grateful that these fabulous musicians have agreed to be involved With: Trinculo | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 13:00 to 15:00 | Session hosted by John Spiers and Amanda Whatley | Island Park: Moongazing Hare (Bar) | We are very privileged to have John Spiers and his partner Amanda Whatley leading a session. The tunes will be varied and fabulous | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 13:30 to 15:15 | Afternoon Sing | The Three Crowns | Join Kitty Vernon for a relaxed afternoon sing at The Three Crowns, offering an intimate and cosy venue for a big sing. With: Kitty Vernon | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 15:00 to 18:00 | Session hosted by Sel & Ben | Island Park: Moongazing Hare (Bar) | Ben and Sel have been immersed in folk music as musicians and dancers for well over a decade. Many of you will know Sel for running Tunesday Tuesdays With: Selam Adamu & Ben Potton | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 18:00 to 21:00 | Session hosted by Nick Goode | Island Park: Moongazing Hare (Bar) | Nick has been a professional actor/musician for over twenty years, recording & performing with many bands. A sought after musician on the ceilidh circuit, he also leads two weekly sessions. With: Nick Goode | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 20:00 to 22:30 | Forebitter or Worse: Shanties & Songs of the Sea | Angel Hotel : Angel Front Lounge | Join George Dale and Mike Gibson for a maritime sing-around. Raise your voice with authentic shanties and songs of the sea. Lead a verse or join the chorus—all are welcome! | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 21:00 to 23:00 | Session hosted by Jack Hogsden | Island Park: Moongazing Hare (Bar) | Jack plays guitar & mandolin but is generally known for his melodeon style & has been regarded among the top players in the UK. Expect foot-stompers, morris mayhem, and everything in between With: Jack Hogsden | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sessions on Sunday 24th May 2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| When | What | Where | Description | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11:00 to 12:00 | Sunday Hymn Sing | Angel Hotel : Angel Atrium | Join us in The Angel Hotel for a hymn sing. Hymn books will be provided. With: Details to follow | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11:00 to 24:00 | Irish Session | Old Road Tavern | Join the pub in Chippenham where you will find music sessions year-round, for the first of its festival Irish sessions. All welcome. With: Details to follow | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11:00 to 13:00 | Session hosted by Tom Kitching | Island Park: Moongazing Hare (Bar) | Fiddle player and author, Tom has worked with numerous singers and bands, including Pilgrims' Way, Gavin Davenport, Jon Loomes, With: Tom Kitching | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 13:00 to 15:00 | Session hosted by Tess Livingstone, Mark Goodman & Seb Stone | Island Park: Moongazing Hare (Bar) | Tess, Mark & Seb are regular faces on the session music scene. Expect a lively session, though not exclusively Irish and we might even get some songs in from Seb. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 13:30 to 15:15 | Afternoon Sing | The Three Crowns | Join Kitty Vernon for a relaxed afternoon sing at The Three Crowns, offering an intimate and cosy venue for a big sing. With: Kitty Vernon | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 15:00 to 18:00 | Session hosted by Underground Sun | Island Park: Moongazing Hare (Bar) | These fabulous young musicians have agreed to lead a session for us. The future of folk is in safe hands With: The Underground Sun | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 18:00 to 21:00 | Session hosted by Josh, Louis & Helen from Clausentum Morris | Island Park: Moongazing Hare (Bar) | Helen, Louis & Josh are all fabulous musicians in their own right but together they make truly beautiful music. There will obviously be Morris tunes but so much more | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 20:00 to 22:30 | The Big Sing | Angel Hotel : Angel Front Lounge | Join George Dale and Mike Gibson for The Big Sing! Our flagship communal event invites everyone to raise the roof. Bring your finest voice for a powerful, shared celebration of song. Don't miss it! | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 20:00 to 23:00 | French Music and Dance | Old Road Tavern Barn | French session - Come along and join in playing French folk dance music. There's a chance to dance as well. With: Details to follow | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 21:00 to 23:00 | Session hosted by Bridge & Boden | Island Park: Moongazing Hare (Bar) | Will Bridge and Jackie Boden are a fiddle and box duo from Sheffield who delight in playing a wide variety of tunes with skill & enthusiasm With: Bridge & Boden | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sessions on Monday 25th May 2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| When | What | Where | Description | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11:00 to 24:00 | Irish Session | Old Road Tavern | Join the pub in Chippenham where you will find music sessions year-round, for the first of its festival Irish sessions. All welcome. With: Details to follow | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11:00 to 14:00 | Session Hosted by Sāwol | Island Park: Moongazing Hare (Bar) | We have a real treat for our final (organised) session of the festival. Some members of the fabulous fiddle ensemble Sawol will be hosting.
Feel free to carry on playing when the organised bit finishes ! With: Sāwol | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 14:30 to 16:30 | Farewell Sing | Angel Hotel : Angel Front Lounge | Bid a fond farewell with George Dale and Mike Gibson at our final afternoon sing-around. Share one last song and a hearty chorus as we wrap up the weekend in style. All voices welcome. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||