Festival Info About us
Manchester Folk Festival is an urban multi-venue festival which brings together a diverse range of artists who represent the broad definition of contemporary folk music.
Discover the best contemporary and traditional folk, roots and acoustic music across a variety of Manchester’s iconic music venues. From intimate spaces to festival stages, there’s something for everyone.
As always, you can tailor the festival to your own tastes – individual tickets are available for all gigs, or, if you want to see as much fantastic music across the three days as you can, you can purchase a festival wristband.
There’s also free events alongside our regular programme – join a session at The Smithfield Market Tavern or enjoy free live music on our Band on the Wall Bar Stage.
Our 2025 venues include:
Band on the Wall
New Century Hall
Hallé St Peters
Night and Day
Hallé at St Michaels
The festival is a rolling programme where festival wristband holders will be able to dip in and out of Manchester Northern Quarter’s legendary music venues through the 3 days of the very best in English Folk, Roots and Acoustic music. All of the venues are within a short walk of each other, making it easy to move between concerts, catch up with friends, and just hang around taking in the atmosphere.
Band on the Wall is our festival hub and late-night Festival Club featuring the best emerging folk-influenced artists.
2025 Festival Wristbands are now available to purchase. For more info click here.
For more general information about tickets click here.
Who are we?
Manchester Folk Festival is produced by the Sound Roots team. Sound Roots supports the English folk, roots and acoustic music sector through a variety of projects and initiatives. To learn more about Sound Roots and our work please visit www.soundroots.uk
Once again an amazing line-up has been put together for what is arguably the UK’s leading urban folk festival – which given its relatively short history is a real endorsement of the event.” – Mark Radcliffe
you’d be hard pushed to find a more extensive spectrum than the annual offering in Manchester” – At the Barrier
“playful, daring, and forward-looking spirit of this ever-extraordinary festival” – Northern Soul
“Manchester this is some fucking folk festival” – Billy Bragg
“I came all the way from Colorado Springs, Colorado (U.S.) and it was SO worth it. I’ve been to Manchester a few times before but the Festival really gave me the opportunity to explore and enjoy more of the city. Also, the volunteers and everyone working the venues were really nice and helpful. I hope to be back next year!” – A festival attendee
David Agnew
You may well be familiar with Festival Artistic Director, David Agnew. David was the driving force behind Homegrown – the predecessor to Manchester Folk Festival – and is also the Artistic Director of The Met, Bury and Head for the Hills festival in Ramsbottom. He also programmes artists for other events such as Timber Festival and The Lost Carnival as well as our very own Rochdale Folk Festival and our year-round programme of gigs across Greater Manchester.
