22 - 25 May 2026
22 - 25
May
2026
May
2026
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Timetable: Sessions
Whether you're thing is tunes or singing, English, Irish, Bal or Scandi prefer it fast or steady, your a regular to sessions or just starting out we are confident you will find something for you.
In addition to our scheduled sessions, there are other impromptu sessions around town, late into the night and often into the early hours!
The best venues to find a session are:
- The Moongazing Hare (The bar on Island Park)
- The Old Road Tavern
- The 3 Crowns
- The Cause (Folk Club Format)
Song Sessions Look out for song sessions led by festival artists at the 3 Crowns and in the angel. Following feedback from previous years we have arranged that the sides of the food court tent will be put on from 8pm to allow singers to gather there to sing but these will not be "led" sessions.
Currently publicised Sessions for 2026, there may be more
Jump to: Friday Saturday Sunday Monday
All Sessions are Donation.
Click on the event name for more information.
| Sessions on Friday 22nd May 2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| When | What | Where | Description | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 13:00 to 15:00 | Session hosted by Sarah Matthews & Doug Eunson | Island Park: Moongazing Hare (Bar) | Doug Eunson & Sarah Matthews are familiar faces at many folk festivals. They play fabulous English and European dance music on Fiddle, Melodeon & Hurdy Gurdy in Narthen | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 15:00 to 18:00 | Session hosted by Manny Grimsley | Island Park: Moongazing Hare (Bar) | Manny, who plays both fiddle & melodeon, is a mainstay of many festival sessions, as well as playing for Clog, Rapper and Morris sides. A member of The Relentless ceilidh band. With: Manny Grimsley | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 18:00 to 21:00 | Session hosted by Sheaf | Island Park: Moongazing Hare (Bar) | Sheaf, or to give them their whole name; The Northern Sheaf, is Penny Kempson, Will Sartin and Lewis Jones. These fabulous young musicians have a vast repertoire of tunes between them. With: Sheaf | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 19:00 to 24:00 | Irish Session | Old Road Tavern | Join the pub in Chippenham where you will find music sessions year-round, for the first of its festival Irish sessions. All welcome. With: Details to follow | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 20:00 to 22:30 | Welcome Sing‑around | Angel Hotel : Angel Front Lounge | Kick off the festival with George Dale and Mike Gibson! Our welcome sing-around is the perfect place to share a song, lead a chorus, or just listen in. All styles and voices are warmly invited. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 21:00 to 23:00 | Session hosted by Ali Barnes | Island Park: Moongazing Hare (Bar) | Ali Barnes is an experience performer and sought after session player specialising in Irish and Scottish traditional music. She runs award winning Scottish band Licence to Ceilidh and most recently can be seen performing with The Dhol Foundation expanding her repertoire to Bhangra and Celtic fusion. None of these sessions are a specific genre, people can play whatever they like. Ali loves to join in with all good tunes but will definitely play some Irish, Scottish & maybe even a bit of Bhangra if you ask her nicely ! Ali & her husband Philippe have produced 2 books of session tunes which are available on her website https://alibarnesmusic.co.uk With: Ali Barnes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sessions on Saturday 23rd May 2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| When | What | Where | Description | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11:00 to 24:00 | Irish Session | Old Road Tavern | Join the pub in Chippenham where you will find music sessions year-round, for the first of its festival Irish sessions. All welcome. With: Details to follow | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11:00 to 13:00 | Session hosted by Trinculo | Island Park: Moongazing Hare (Bar) | With: Trinculo | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 13:00 to 15:00 | Session hosted by John Spiers and Amanda Whatley | Island Park: Moongazing Hare (Bar) | We are very privileged to have John Spiers and his partner Amanda Whatley leading a session. The tunes will be varied and fabulous | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 13:30 to 15:15 | Afternoon Sing | The Three Crowns | Join Kitty Vernon for a relaxed afternoon sing at The Three Crowns, offering an intimate and cosy venue for a big sing. With: Kitty Vernon | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 15:00 to 18:00 | Session hosted by Sel & Ben | Island Park: Moongazing Hare (Bar) | Sel & Ben are well known in the folk world, both as Morris Dancers & fabulous multi instrument musicians. We are delighted they have agreed to lead a session. With: Selam Adamu & Ben Potton | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 18:00 to 21:00 | Session hosted by Nick Goode | Island Park: Moongazing Hare (Bar) | His main instrument is the fiddle. He also plays mandolin and accordion. As a musician, he has performed at gigs and festivals with a number of bands. With: Nick Goode | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 20:00 to 22:30 | Forebitter or Worse: Shanties & Songs of the Sea | Angel Hotel : Angel Front Lounge | Join George Dale and Mike Gibson for a maritime sing-around. Raise your voice with authentic shanties and songs of the sea. Lead a verse or join the chorus—all are welcome! | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 21:00 to 23:00 | Session hosted by Jack Hogsden | Island Park: Moongazing Hare (Bar) | Jack Hogsden with his melodeon will be leading a session of your favourite folk bangers. Expect your favourite foot-stompers, morris mayhem, and everything in between! With: Jack Hogsden | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sessions on Sunday 24th May 2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| When | What | Where | Description | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11:00 to 12:00 | Sunday Hymn Sing | Angel Hotel : Angel Atrium | Join us in The Angel Hotel for a hymn sing. Hymn books will be provided. With: Details to follow | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11:00 to 24:00 | Irish Session | Old Road Tavern | Join the pub in Chippenham where you will find music sessions year-round, for the first of its festival Irish sessions. All welcome. With: Details to follow | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11:00 to 13:00 | Session hosted by Tom Kitching | Island Park: Moongazing Hare (Bar) | Fiddle player and author, Tom has worked with numerous singers and bands, including Pilgrims' Way, Gavin Davenport, Jon Loomes, Gren Bartley, Zoe Mulford, and Albireo. With: Tom Kitching | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 13:00 to 15:00 | Session hosted by Tess Livingstone, Mark Goodman & Seb Stone | Island Park: Moongazing Hare (Bar) | Tess & Mark are running a rhythm based workshop on Saturday. They will be joined for this session by Seb Stone | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 13:30 to 15:15 | Afternoon Sing | The Three Crowns | Join Kitty Vernon for a relaxed afternoon sing at The Three Crowns, offering an intimate and cosy venue for a big sing. With: Kitty Vernon | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 18:00 to 21:00 | Session hosted by the musicians of Clausentum Morris | Island Park: Moongazing Hare (Bar) | 3 of the musicians from the fabulous Morris side Clausentum will be leading this session. Josh, Louie & Helen together they make beautiful music. There will undoubtedly be Morris tunes but so much more With: Clausentum (Cotswold) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 20:00 to 22:30 | The Big Sing | Angel Hotel : Angel Front Lounge | Join George Dale and Mike Gibson for The Big Sing! Our flagship communal event invites everyone to raise the roof. Bring your finest voice for a powerful, shared celebration of song. Don't miss it! | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 20:00 to 23:00 | French Music and Dance | Old Road Tavern Barn | French session - Come along and join in playing French folk dance music. There's a chance to dance as well. With: Details to follow | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 21:00 to 23:00 | Session hosted by Bridge & Boden | Island Park: Moongazing Hare (Bar) | Will Bridge (fiddle, voice) and Jackie Boden (melodeon) are a fiddle and box duo hailing from Sheffield. With: Bridge & Boden | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sessions on Monday 25th May 2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| When | What | Where | Description | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11:00 to 24:00 | Irish Session | Old Road Tavern | Join the pub in Chippenham where you will find music sessions year-round, for the first of its festival Irish sessions. All welcome. With: Details to follow | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11:00 to 14:00 | Session Hosted by Sāwol | Island Park: Moongazing Hare (Bar) | some members of the fabulous fiddle ensemble Sawol will be hosting this session With: Sāwol | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 14:30 to 16:30 | Farewell Sing | Angel Hotel : Angel Front Lounge | Bid a fond farewell with George Dale and Mike Gibson at our final afternoon sing-around. Share one last song and a hearty chorus as we wrap up the weekend in style. All voices welcome. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||