Announcing the Scilly Folk Festival 2026
We’re thrilled to be working with the Scilly Folk Festival to unveil their fabulous programme for the 2026 event.
The 2026 Folk Festival runs from Thursday 21 May to Tuesday 26 May with events across the islands and highlights including a barnstorming night at the Old Town Inn with the Dartmoor Pixie Band, timeless storytelling from the trio Windjammer, Dartmoor traditions from Moor Music and folk legend Seth Lakeman live in the parish church on St Mary’s.
The festival began in 2013, kick started by St Agnes based musician Piers Lewin and Nick Lishman and driven by a passion for bringing live music to the islands and creating a unique event in a stunning setting.
Angela Jenkins, the Festival’s Chair, told us: “The festival started out working on a very limited budget but selling it as a very unique place to come and perform especially with the boating to the off islands. Every band that ever comes wants to come back!
“So many people now book their holidays around the festival. We love it when visitors come along for the first time, then return to all the events as it was so much better than expected. New musicians arrive each year as strangers and leave as great friends. I just love it all. You can’t beat live music.”
This year’s festival kicks off with a Welcome Session on Thursday 21 May at the Scillonian Club at 8pm and there are sessions on St Agnes on Saturday 23 May , Tresco on Sunday 24 May and St Martins on Monday 25 May as well as a full programme of performances featuring Moor Music, Windjammer and Seth Lakeman.
Here’s the full programme and booking links:
Thursday 21 May
Welcome Session
Location: Scillonian Club, St Mary’s
Time: 8pm
Cost: Free
Booking: No need to book in advance, just come along
Friday 22 May
Evening
Concert: Moor Music
Mark (Melodeon and Concertina) and Jason (Accordion) have been playing their instruments since childhood absorbing the unique Dartmoor style from their respective grandfathers Bob Cann and Jack Rice.
Rob (5-String Banjo) also learnt to play finger-style banjo from a young age and has since become one of the finest exponents of this once popular but now rarely heard style.
Playing in a way that comes naturally to them they have since become one of the best truly traditional acts, doing what they do, simply because they enjoy it.
Location: The Lantern, Old Town Inn, St Mary’s
Time: 8pm
Cost: £12.50
Saturday 23 May
Lunchtime Session
Location: Turk’s Head, St Agnes
Time: 12pm
Cost: Free
Booking: No need to book in advance, just come along
Evening
Barndance: Dartmoor Pixie Band
The Dartmoor Pixie Band are an English country dance band (or Ceilidh Band) from the heart of Devon and are steeped in the musical and dance tradition of Dartmoor.
Their mix of Melodeon, Piano Accordion, Banjo, Drums and Bass produces a sound that is very much their own and will have you tapping your feet, or better still will have you up and dancing your socks off.
They have played together for more years than they care to remember so their style and repertoire is distinctly their own. The band has their own resident caller with a large repertoire of dances for all abilities so whether you arere a do-si-do expert or have never danced before you are sure to have a good fun evening.
Location: The Lantern, Old Town Inn, St Mary’s
Time: 8pm
Cost: £12.50
Sunday 24 May
Lunchtime Session
Location: New Inn, Tresco
Time: 12pm
Cost: Free
Booking: No need to book in advance, just come along
Evening
Concert: Windjammer
Windjammer are a trio who cast timeless stories in a context of their own making. They blend self-penned songs and instrumentals with original genre-bending arrangements of music drawn from the traditions of British folk.
Turning unflinchingly from soft, delicate emphasis to shoulder-rolling grind, and from light harmonies to prog-infused instrumentalism, they have a habit of keeping audiences surprised and engaged with ever-changing soundscapes. Their debut album, Awaken (produced by Sean Lakeman), showcases and expands this palette in a studio context.
Location: The Lantern, Old Town Inn, St Mary’s
Time: 8pm
Cost: £12.50
Monday 25 May
Lunchtime Session
Location: Seven Stones Inn, St Martin’s
Time: 12pm
Cost: Free
Booking: No need to book in advance, just drop in
Evening
Concert: Seth Lakeman
Seth was catapulted into the music mainstream when he was nominated for the Mercury Music Prize in 2005 for his album Kitty Jay, which was followed by Freedom Fields. They kickstarted a hugely successful solo career which has taken him around the world. Multiple albums, tours and high-profile collaborations later, Seth released his latest studio effort The Granite Way, in February 2025 on his own label, Honour Oak Records.
It’s a collection of songs recorded alongside a group of longtime collaborators, staying true to his roots andreferring to ancient stories that inspired early West Country storytelling.
Location: Parish Church, Hugh Town, St Mary’s
Time: 8pm
Cost: £17.50
Tuesday 26 May
Farewell Session
Location: Mermaid Inn, St Mary’s
Time: 12pm
Cost: Free
Booking: No need to book in advance, just come along
