Hello Ely Folk! We're delighted that the Fenland Young Folk Collective will be returning in 2026. It's open to all musicians and singers aged 8-25 and led by Erin Brown & Barry Watson. More: elyfolkfestival.co.uk/workshops-an... We'll see you there! Photo by Andrew Moore
Hello Ely Folk! We're going to be at Eel Day on Saturday May 2nd with a stand and music from @iclaudiamusic.bsky.social, @solomansmith.bsky.social and @oldmanboom.bsky.social, all of whom will be at the festival too! Come along for a chat and a preview. See you there!
Hello Ely Folk! Not only can you ease your way into Friday (see previous post) you can do son on Saturday and Sunday as we welcome back Sarah Moss of Ipswich Yoga for Everyone and Jo Gregor of Soul Centred with Sue Szymanski and and their amazing sound bath. Get there early, they're popular.
Hello Ely Folk! On Festival Friday between 2.30pm and 5.30pm some of our lovely talented stewards will be playing for you under our starshades. It's a great way to ease yourself into the festival before the main proceedings so do check them out. Photos by Neil King of @fateamagazine.bsky.social
Hello Ely Folk, especially those who want to be stewards, to whom a huge thank you! Acceptance emails will be going out from next Wednesday. It'll take a while to do it so please bear with us. The only exception is the bar or set-up/takedown as those are still being finalised. Photo by Andrew Moore
Hello Ely Folk! Today we have a podcast from the lovely Sue Marchant featuring our wonderful patrons @boohewerdine.bsky.social and Brooks Williams. Hear them muse on the festival, pick their favourite moments and lots more here: shows.acast.com/spotted-in-e...
Hello Ely Folk! We have our usual army of Morris dancers this year who will be parading in Ely on Saturday and dancing on site. Too many for the character limit but check our Facebook page and website for a full list. Photos by SJG Event Photography
Hello Ely Folk! We've added a new accessibility page to our website with details about camping, parking and so forth. Do check it out if you need to and if you have any queries either comment here or use the email address at the bottom of the page. elyfolkfestival.co.uk/accessibility/
Hello Ely Folk. We're sorry to say that as a result of circumstances beyond our control we have decided to cancel the ceilidh planned for Saturday 28 March at Ely Bowls Club. We're sorry to disappoint those who have purchased tickets - thank you for your support and you'll get a full refund shortly.
Hello Ely Folk, don't forget our ceilidh is coming up fast! The fabulous Stumpy Oak Ceilidh Band will be at City of Ely Bowls Club on Saturday 28 March. Free under 12s, buffet and parking. Get practicing before the festival! Tickets: www.tickettailor.com/.../elyfolkf... or scan the QR code.
Hello Ely Folk! We are delighted to announce that our charity this year will be the East Anglian Air Ambulance. They will have a stall with lots to see and do including free CPR training! Check them out here and please give generously when you see them. Thank you in advance. www.eaaa.org.uk
Hello Ely Folk! There's loads of workshops for you at the festival. One for morris, trad songs for guitar with Hannah Sanders & Ben Savage, shanties with Isle 'Ave a Shanty, bodhran with Steve Bentley, tunes with David Savage, stepdance with Ethan Beal & Lindsay Want and whistle with Paddy McEvoy.
Hello Ely Folk! Very pleased to announce our Friday showcases highlighting local talent. This year we have alt.country and murder folk from Old Man Boom, a real rising country star in Georgia Nevada and laidback Americana from Joe & Mary. Photo of Georgia Nevada by Michelle Fredericks.
Hello Ely Folk! Delighted to say that our line-up has been joined by the amazing Sailor Swift, who bears an uncanny resemblance to someone with the initials PM... It'll be a joyful ramble of folk song, music hall, stand up, and popular classics delivered in a talking blues style. Not to be missed.
Hello Ely Folk! Today we're reminding you that you can give us money without it costing you anything! Sign up to @easyfundraising.bsky.social and when you shop online with 8000 retailers we get a bit of cash. Check out the video if you're interested. Thanks very much.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9_X...
Hello Ely Folk! Many thanks to those of you who've applied to be stewards. We have a few vacancies so if you fancy joining our lovely team and getting a free ticket head over here and submit an application. elyfolkfestival.co.uk/get-involved/ We'd love to see you in July! Photo by Nigel Graver.
Hello Ely Folk! Thrilled that our Children’s Area will celebrate the theme: “Under One Sky”. Creative workshops, crafts, games, teen tent, storytelling, shows, magic and a children’s parade bursting with suns, stars, clouds, and rainbows! Details on website later. Photos: Sue Gwynne/Andrew Moore.
Hello Ely Folk, today's the day we announce the rest of our bill! We are delighted to welcome the wonderful Sherburn Bartley Sanders, Alistair Russell & Chris Parkinson, I, Claudia, Soloman Smith, Kelly and Woolley and Erin Brown & Barry Watson. Fabulous musicians, it's going to be a blast!
Hello Ely Folk, we're having a hop! The fab Stumpy Oak Ceilidh Band will be playing for your delight at Ely Bowls Club on Saturday 28 March. Under 12s free, free buffet and free parking, leaving you free to cut a rug! Tickets: www.tickettailor.com/events/elyfo... or scan the QR code. See you there!
Hello Ely Folk! A reminder that our band competition closes on 28 February. If you fancy a slot on our main stage check out our website and send us your stuff. You could be as happy as Fraser Morgan, one of last year's winners! elyfolkfestival.co.uk/workshops-co... Pic by @nikkigeast.bsky.social
Hello Ely Folk! Unfortunately Hedera are no longer able to join us. Hopefully they'll be with us at a future festival. However we're delighted to announce that the wonderful Georgia Shackleton has stepped into the breach. Her new album is out soon and we're looking forward to hearing songs from it.
Hello Ely Folk! Delighted that Daria Kulesh will be with us in July with The Tale of Sadko as part of our children's programme. An interactive music & storytelling workshop based on a delightful Russian fairytale, it's ideal for ages 3-8, but younger/older siblings are welcome. More on our website.
Hello Ely Folk! We like a bit of a bop here at Ely and we know you do too for we have our usual three ceilidhs for your delight with the wonderful trio of @frogceilidh.bsky.social with special guest caller Fee Lock, The Cyriacs and Stumpy Oak Ceilidh Band. Bring your dancing shoes!
Hello Ely Folk! We like a bit of a bop at Ely and we know you do too so we will have our usual three ceilidhs for your delight, with Stumpy Oak, @frogceilidh.bsky.social with special caller Fee Lock and The Cyriacs. Bring your dancing shoes!
Hello Ely Folk! Our family and children's programme is steadily taking shape and as part of it we're excited to welcome singer-songwriter and creator of CBeebies Popcast @nickcope.bsky.social for our family show. Children of all ages from 0 to 80 (and younger) will love it!
Hello Ely Folk! Ely has always been a big supporter of local artists and we are delighted to welcome festival stalwart Andy Wall, Brokedown Palace (featuring Nick Barraclough), Causeway, John and Pauline Pearce, Simon George Kelso, String Onion and from a bit further away the wonderful Medlars.
Hello Ely Folk! Today we're premiering our 2025 video. It gives a great flavour of the festival and you may even spot yourself! Hope you enjoy it. www.youtube.com/watch?v=ft9c...
Hello Ely Folk! We've got a new logo! And a new website! Many thanks for Studio Nova for their work with us on this. We think it much better reflects who we are and our relationship with Ely. And we love it! Check it out here elyfolkfestival.co.uk and let us know what you think in the comments.
Hello Ely Folk! It's time for the East Anglian Festival Network awards again and we'd really appreciate it it you voted for us, assuming you're so inclined. You can do so here: eafn.co.uk Voting is open until 8pm on January 31st. Thanks very much in advance.
Hello Ely Folk! We had a great time at Ely College's Community Directory Day on Saturday, Lots of interesting chats and new people to meet. If you couldn't make it but would like to know more about getting involved check out our website here: elyfolkfestival.co.uk/get-involved/