About Melton Folk Festivals
Melton Folk Festivals are free festivals taking place around the town centre of Melton Mowbray and organised by members of the Melton Folk Club.
We normally organise two festivals each year. One is in the height of summer, usually the first weekend in August. The second is in winter, usually falls on the second weekend of December, and is also billed as The Melton Mowbray Christmas Folk Trail.
Each festival consists of a large number of acts performing in various venues around the Melton Mowbray town centre.
The acts cover a wide range of styles from very traditional to very contemporary. They may be individuals or groups and, whilst most are fairly local, acts from further afield are also attracted to perform at our events.
The venues vary from festival to festival, with some being stalwart supporters of our events and others host our acts occasionally. Pubs, cafes and tea-rooms make up the majority of our venues but we have also had a stage in the market place and performances in the bandstand in the park.
Acts are scheduled to perform in 40 minute time slots at each venue. Many acts choose to perform as many as six times in different venues over the weekend whilst others perform in fewer slots, perhaps only on one of the days.
In addition to the performance slots a number of singarounds or sessions are scheduled over the festival including an introductory one on the evening of the day prior to the festival itself. All are welcome to attend these as audience or participants. The more the merrier and they provide a good chance to meet up with old friends and make new ones.
If you are a performer or venue that wishes to be included in any future festival please see our Information for Acts and Venues page