Whitby Folk Week is a much-loved annual folk festival held in the picturesque seaside town of Whitby on the North Yorkshire Coast. Here?s a deep dive into what makes it a highlight of the British folk calendar.

For 2025, the festival runs from 16 August to 22 August across multiple venues in Whitby.

Over 100 concerts spread across dozens of venues - from pubs and halls to the waterfront - featuring a mix of established acts and emerging local talent showcasing traditional British Isles folk. Daily ceilidhs, contra, Playford and social dances, suited to all levels from absolute beginners to advanced dancers. Workshops include medieval dance, harmony singing, instrument tuition (e.g. banjo), and many are progressive over the week.