Medieval Music in the Dales 2026

Medieval Music in the Dales- The Tenth Anniversary
Going to the Medieval Margins?

On our tenth anniversary, this year’s Medieval Music in the Dales explores repertoires from the medieval Margins - geographically, culturally and socially.

How to Book - Please Read Carefully and It Should All Be Clear!

1. First book your Pass*
A Festival Pass can be for 1, 2 or 3 days (the last is called a Full Festival Pass).
A Festival Pass covers the specified day(s) AND the evening before from 6pm. So:

• A Friday Festival Pass runs from 6pm on Thursday through to 11pm on Friday
• A Full Festival Pass runs from 6pm on Thursday through to 11pm on Sunday

A Festival Pass includes ALL daytime concerts, all workshops, all chamber performances and all talks PLUS access to Bolton Castle and the Festival Marquee from 8am to 11pm each relevant day.

NB: If you book a Festival Pass, take care to check on your confirmation email for a link to book places on Workshops. 

A Festival Pass DOES NOT INCLUDE the Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening events in the Great Chamber, 1-2-1 tuition sessions, or Camping/Glamping. All these MUST be booked separately.

Festival Passes can be bought on the door but incur an extra charge of £20 per Pass.

The Castle Pass is a little different. This is available to family groups for Saturday OR Sunday only. The group must include at least one under-18, and can include up to two adults and four under-18s. The Castle Pass gives admission to Bolton Castle and the Festival Marquee for the specified day between 10am and 5pm only. The Castle Pass does NOT include ANY concerts or workshops - but it does include the Medieval Mayhem Activities, all talks and all the informal performances on the Castle Stages. It does not allow evening attendance after 5pm. A Castle Pass can be bought on the door but incurs an extra charge of £10 per Pass.

* If you only want to attend an evening concert, the Study Day or 1-2-1 tuition you don't need a Festival Pass. Otherwise, you MUST get one.

2. Next, if camping or glamping please book your Camping or Glamping Pass
You must have a Festival Pass if you want to camp or glamp at MMitD.
Camping and glamping MUST be booked in advance. These CANNOT be bought on the door.
More information on Camping and Glamping here.

3. Next, book for the Extras - evening concerts, 1-2-1 tuition, Study Day or Sunday Night Party
You do not need a Festival Pass to buy an evening concert ticket, Study Day or 1-2-1 tuition.
Evening concert tickets, Study Day and 1-2-1 tuition are not included in the Festival Pass.
All of these can be bought at the Festival, but advance booking is highly recommended as they tend to sell out.

4. Next, pre-order your Festival Merchandise
You can pre-order your Festival Programme, CD, Pewter Badge, T-Shirt or Festival Cup.
Many are tenth anniversary specials!

5. Finally, wait for your confirmation email
If you've bought any kind of Festival Pass your confirmation email will contain a link to reserve free places on workshops, should you so wish. Note that these can tend to book up quickly so early booking is advisable. 
Everyone will receive email confirmation of their order.

Please note: Festivals aren't cheap and MMitD operates on the tightest of margins.  If your circumstances mean you can't afford the ticket prices, there are options.

• You could volunteer as a Steward and get a free Festival Pass in return for a minimum 20 hours work over the weekend or in preparation for the weekend. Stewards also get a free concert or workshop each day and a free Sunday Night Party ticket, as well as free camping. Get in touch if interested.
• You can be a Castle Stage Performer. This gives free admission to the festival except for concerts and workshops, and you can upgrade to a Festival Pass with a 50% discount. Of course, you've got to be able to offer a couple of sets of medieval music over the weekend! Get in touch.
• There are a limited number of half-price bursaries. Please get in touch.
• An annual Friends membership gives savings on annual attendance - more information here
• For family groups, a Castle Pass gives limited daytime access to the Castle for up to two adults and four under-18s. Remember too, all under 18s attend free if in company with an adult with a Festival Pass.

Finally, though our venue is gorgeous it presents some accessibility problems. If you have mobility or other issues, please get in touch so that we can give you full information and work out how we can help you. Discounts are available, and we can offer free Passes to essential companions.

You can contact the Festival at medievalmusicinthedales@gmail.com