Thousands expected for Shrewsbury Folk Festival - here's what you need to know

Thousands of people are expected to flock to Shrewsbury this weekend as one of the country’s most prestigious folk festivals returns for another year.

The Shrewsbury Folk Festival is set to run from Friday (August 28) until Bank Holiday Monday (August 31).

Organisers have said they expect up to 7,000 music-lovers to attend the event, which is predominantly held at the West Midlands Showground on Berwick Road.

With more than 65 performers from across the world expected to grace stages at the showground, as well as in Shrewsbury town centre, the public can still grab their tickets now, a spokesperson for the festival told the Shropshire Star.

Alongside the world-class music, those thinking about popping along to the festival can expect a range of food, drink and entertainment stalls.

Notably for this year’s event, the world-famous Irish dancers the Gardiner brothers are teaming up with the band Talisk for the UK debut of their much-anticipated show Unleashed - their only performance in the UK in 2026.

The Gardiner Brothers are worldwide social media sensations with more than 2.2 million Instagram followers and 4.1 million TikTok followers.

Their Shrewsbury appearance follows a major US tour in autumn 2025, where they performed to thousands across the north-east and midwest.

Talking about what people can expect this weekend, one of the festival’s organisers, Jo Cunningham, said: “Come rain or shine, I think it is fair to say, given the forecast for the weather, it is a festival - we have a great time.”

“There is so much to see and do. Come along, do not be put off by the word folk, if you think that is not your thing.

“Just being at a festival, being with friends, enjoying live music, and everything else we have to offer, just makes for a great day.”

The four-day event is expected to bring a boost to the local economy.

The festival was founded by husband-and-wife Alan and Sandra Surtees in Bridgnorth in 1997.

It later moved to Shrewsbury and the West Midlands Showground in 2006.

Talking about her anticipation for the event, Ms Cunningham said: “I am really looking forward to it.

“We have a very small team that works all year round on the festival, literally 365 days of the year, so this is the jewel in the crown, this is what we work all year for.

“To see it all come together and to really bring the showground to life - we literally convert an agricultural showground into a festival village, if not a festival town for the weekend - it is really a sight to behold.”