For one September weekend each year Swanage comes alive to the spectacle of hundreds of Morris dancers, and other traditional dancers, dancing to the sounds of bells, drums and accordions. The Swanage Folk Festival has steadily grown in the 30 years it’s been running. It now attracts thousands of people each year. It’s the largest Morris dancing festival in the country.

As well as the dance spectacle filling the town, locations all around the town echo to the melodies of Folk music. The festival’s main venue is filled with 400 people each evening with some of the country's great names in folk music.

Some concerts are free, others ticketed. The Festival also includes free children's entertainment, the festival fringe filling the town's pubs, a craft fair and other stalls.

The Swanage Folk Festival is a non-profit organisation, run entirely by volunteers, donating their time and energy because of their love of music and dance. After costs are covered all proceeds are donated to local good causes each year.

Dogs are not permitted in the main marquee for evening concerts or any of our other venues.