Dartmoor Folk Festival returns to South Zeal with packed weekend of family fun
South Zeal will welcome the Dartmoor Folk Festival this weekend, with live music, traditional dance, children's entertainment, competitions and free daytime events taking place across the three-day celebration
Dartmoor Folk Festival returns to South Zeal, near Okehampton, this weekend, bringing three days of traditional music, dance and family activities to the village.
Running from Friday, 7 August until Sunday, 9 August, the festival will feature concerts, ceilidhs, workshops, competitions and free afternoon entertainment.
Performances will be given by a mix of established and local artists.
The 2026 line-up includes the Phil Beer Trio, Blair Dunlop Band, Arthur Coates and Jenn Butterworth, Phil Beer, The Carrivick Sisters, Rocking Horse Money and The Bismarcks.
Also appearing are Jill and Bernard Blackwell, Adelaide Taylor and Anthony Croft, Ezmay Grace, Katie Howson, Dartmoor Harmony and the Dartmoor Pixie Band.
Singer-songwriter Lily Lakeman has also been announced for the Sunday evening Music Hall programme.
Alongside the concerts, visitors can enjoy two ceilidhs, song sessions, step and broom dance workshops, dance displays, craft stalls, music sessions, a church service and a Dartmoor ramble.
Competitions include the junior Dartmoor Broom Dance Competition, as well as the junior and adult Dartmoor Step Dance competitions.
Children's activities include storytelling, face painting, Punch and Judy, a duck race, bubble wand craft, songs, ferret racing and Rise and Shine sessions with Entertainingly Different.
Rob Pudner, of Entertainingly Different, will lead the Rise and Shine sessions from 9am to 10am on Saturday and Sunday.
He will also return each afternoon alongside Uncle Tako and Spike Bones for interactive entertainment, including Punch and Judy, with bubble displays from Happy Bubbles Devon.
Free afternoon entertainment will take place on Saturday and Sunday at South Zeal Recreation Ground.
The festival field opens at noon, with events beginning at 1.30pm.
Sunday's afternoon programme will be hosted by Rocking Horse Money, while free early evening concerts are also planned.
Food and drink stalls, ice cream and a licensed bar will be available throughout the weekend.
Festival organisers have warned that weekend tickets are nearly sold out.
Weekend tickets start from £75, with camping also available.
Dartmoor Folk Festival press officer Alan Quick said: "It really is a beautiful little festival in the heart of Dartmoor and people tell us it is their favourite family festival."