22 - 25 May 2026
22 - 25
May
2026
Olympiad
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(From the Bridge if it does not know your location)

Olympiad comprises of:


PROGRAMME OF EVENTS

Click on the event name or time to get more detail.

Jump to: Friday Saturday Sunday Monday

Events on Friday 23rd May 2025
TimeWhatWithPrice
10:00 - 12:30
Sports Hall
Schools' Day workshops
A by-invite-only event for local schools
Shooting Roots Event Tickets Only
12:45 - 14:30
Sports Hall
Schools' Day Ceilidh
A by-invite-only event for local schools
The Downfielders (Band) Shooting Roots Event Tickets Only
20:00 - 22:30
Riverside
Bal
An evening of dances ranging from exquisite mazurkas to joyful bourrées. (A)
Sawney White BirdWeekend tickets Only
20:00 - 23:45
Sports Hall
Welcome Ceilidh
Join us for the festival's Welcome Ceilidh with The Canny Band and caller Phil Bassindale! A fun night of music, dance, and community—no experience needed! All ages and abilities are welcome! (P)
The Canny Band Phil Bassindale (Ceilidh Caller)Weekend or Event tickets Only (£15)
Northgate Rapper (Rapper)
22:35 - 23:45
Riverside
Post-Bal Session & Dancing
Bring your instruments and/or dancing shoes.

Events on Saturday 24th May 2025
TimeWhatWithPrice
09:30 - 11:00
Sports Hall
American Dance Workshop: Waves
Sail the high contra seas with a selection of dances featuring waves. (A)
Charlie Turner Hoik!Weekend or Day tickets Only
09:30 - 11:00
Riverside
Folk Dance Basics and Beyond
A workshop for beginners and refreshers, with an emphasis on contra and Playford-style dancing, and covering all you need to know to get you dancing this weekend. (P)
Bob Morgan Audrey Jaber (US)Weekend or Day tickets Only
Bruce Rosen (US)
10:30 - 13:30
Outside
Dance Displays
A selection of Morris sides performing throughout the day
10:30 - 11:15 Sweyn’s Ey (Cotswold Morris) Winterbourn Down Border Morris (Border)Donation
11:15 - 12:40
Sports Hall
American Dance Workshop: Heys Every Which Way
Since we stole heys from English Country Dance, they've gone haywire! In this workshop we’ll explore American-style dances with a variety of hey formations. (A)
Sue Rosen (US) Hoik!Weekend or Day tickets Only
11:15 - 12:45
Riverside
American Dance Workshop: Southern Appalachian Squares
Immerse yourself in the fun and fast style of Appalachian square and circle dances, its different regional ‘dance dialects’, plus maybe a singing square or two. All levels welcome. (P)
Emily Bidgood (US) BluejayWeekend or Day tickets Only
 Dance Displays
11:15 - 12:00
Rockhopper Morris (Cotswold) New Moon Morris (Mixed Morris) 
Icknield Way (Cotswold)
 Dance Displays
12:00 - 12:45
Cuckoo's Nest (Cotswold) Heaps Morris (Cotswold) 
 Dance Displays
12:45 - 13:30
Temporary Measured (North West) Whitethorn Morris (North West) 
Blackrock School of Irish Dance (International, Irish)
13:00 - 13:40
Riverside
Callers' Round
An opportunity for callers to meet up and exchange notes, hosted by Rhianwen Davies.
Rhianwen DaviesWeekend or Day tickets Only
14:00 - 15:30
Riverside
Balfolk Dance Workshop: Couple Dancing in Balfolk
How to enjoy the basic couple dances of balfolk, as well as some improvisation techniques and tools to enjoy dances you don't know! (A)
Andrew Swaine Sawney White BirdWeekend or Day tickets Only
14:00 - 15:30
Sports Hall
American Dance Workshop: Yankee Dutch Crossing
Get ready for a challenge! Arrive promptly for this 16 person (8 couples) set dance in the American style. This complex dance can be disorienting but great fun. (A)
Sue Rosen (US) Audrey Jaber (US)Weekend or Day tickets Only
Bruce Rosen (US)
15:15 - 16:45
Outside
Dance Displays
A selection of Morris sides performing throughout the day
15:15 - 16:00 Cry Havoc (Cotswold) Black Adder Morris (North West )Donation
Moonlight Morris (Border)
15:45 - 17:15
Riverside
Balfolk Dance Workshop: Bonkers Bourrées
Bourrées to great music are a lot of fun even if you just do the basic dance, but there's so much more you can do other than go forwards and backwards. Learn the basic bourrée before learning variations and multi-couple bourrées. (A)
Andrew Swaine Sawney White BirdWeekend or Day tickets Only
15:45 - 17:00
Sports Hall
American Dance Workshop: Leaving the Set
Grid squares, Exploding squares, Double contras, etc. Dances to move you around the dance floor. (G)
Geoff Cubitt Audrey Jaber (US)Weekend or Day tickets Only
Bruce Rosen (US)
 Dance Displays
16:00 - 16:45
Pecsaetan (Cotswold) Steampunk morris (Border) 
Kittiwake Border Morris (Border)
17:30 - 19:25
Sports Hall
Zesty Contra Dance
Lively contra dances with a strong sense of connection and fun. Bring your enthusiasm and stamina - be prepared to dance! (A)
Charlie Turner Hoik!Weekend or Day tickets Only
20:00 - 22:30
Riverside
Bal -- Sponsored by Halsway Manor
An evening of dances ranging from exquisite mazurkas to joyful bourrées. (A)
Doug Eunson & Sarah MatthewsWeekend or Day tickets Only
20:00 - 24:00
Sports Hall
Ceilidh
Join us for a Saturday night ceilidh with Banter and caller Fee Lock! Enjoy lively music, fun dances, and great company. (P)
Banter (Band) Fee Lock (Ceilidh Caller)Weekend, Day or Event tickets Only (£15)
Sussex Junction Morris (Cotswold)
22:35 - 23:45
Riverside
Post-Bal Session & Dancing
Bring your instruments and/or dancing shoes.

Events on Sunday 25th May 2025
TimeWhatWithPrice
09:30 - 11:00
Riverside
Callers' Workshop: American Squares
A workshop for callers on the topic of calling American squares. (G)
Geoff Cubitt Audrey Jaber (US)Weekend or Day tickets Only
Bruce Rosen (US)
09:30 - 11:00
Sports Hall
American Dance Workshop: Flow
Dance contras with satisfying flow and explore ways to enhance that flowy contra dance experience for yourself and your fellow dancers. (A)
Charlie Turner Definitely ContrabandWeekend or Day tickets Only
10:30 - 13:30
Outside
Dance Displays
A selection of Morris sides performing throughout the day
10:30 - 11:15 Malmesbury Morris (Cotswold and Border ) Sarum (Cotswold)Donation
Pigsty Morris (Cotswold)
11:15 - 12:45
Riverside
English Dance Workshop: Reel-y Hey!
A selection of Playford-style dances for experienced dancers, featuring reels and heys. Focus on timing, coordination, and refining technique to enhance the flow of each dance. (P)
Bernie Culkin Audrey Jaber (US)Weekend or Day tickets Only
Ali Messer
11:15 - 12:40
Sports Hall
American Dance Workshop: Contra Evolution
Over the past half-century, contra dance choreography has evolved significantly. We’ll dance some of the favorites from the past and more recent decades to compare how the rules have changed. (A)
Sue Rosen (US) Definitely ContrabandWeekend or Day tickets Only
 Dance Displays
11:15 - 12:00
Mary Rose And Royal George (Non traditional style) Galliard Folk Dance Group (English Country Dancing) 
Sutton Masque (Border)
 Dance Displays
12:00 - 12:45
Madder Mill Molly (Molly) Treacle Eater Clog (Northwest) 
 Dance Displays
12:45 - 13:30
Ouse Washes Molly Dancers (Molly) Sutton Masque (Border) 
13:00 - 13:40
Riverside
Callers' Round
An opportunity for callers to meet up and exchange notes, hosted by Andrew Swaine.
Andrew SwaineWeekend or Day tickets Only
14:00 - 15:30
Sports Hall
English Dance Workshop: Now Where Was I?
Have you ever started a dance facing one way and ended up somewhere completely different, wondering how you got there? Then this is the workshop for you! (P)
Bernie Culkin Audrey Jaber (US)Weekend or Day tickets Only
Bruce Rosen (US)
14:00 - 15:30
Riverside
American Dance Workshop: Play
Identify and exploit opportunities for self-expression and playful, even silly connection in contra - experiment with flourishes, swaps and more! (A)
Charlie Turner Vic Smith & FriendsWeekend or Day tickets Only
15:15 - 16:45
Outside
Dance Displays
A selection of Morris sides performing throughout the day
15:15 - 16:00 Knights of King Ina (Jigs) Tinners Morris (Cotswold)Donation
Temporary Measured (North West)
15:45 - 17:15
Riverside
English Callers' Workshop: Positional and Global Teaching
Positional (if you are here now, do this). Global (transitions, the big picture, talk to as many people at once as possible). Teaching this way requires rethinking! Get tips, tricks, and inspiration.
Brooke Friendly (US)Weekend or Day tickets Only
15:45 - 17:15
Sports Hall
American Dance Workshop: Square Dance Chorus Figures
American squares in which the chorus figures are the stars of the show. (G)
Geoff Cubitt Audrey Jaber (US)Weekend or Day tickets Only
Bruce Rosen (US)
15:45 - 17:00
Swimming Pool
Aqueilidh
Ceilidh, but in a swimming pool! Come to join in dances like Drip the Willow, Splashing White Sergeant, Ducky Seven, Bridge of A Flume, Nottingham Sink, The Old Swan Splash, The Cornish Six Hand Eel, The New Mrs Arrowsmith's Armbands, Chlorinated Bridge, Waterfall Waltz, and the Circassian Snorkel...(P)

Important: Numbers are limited, please collect (free to season ticket holders) tickets from the box office on a first-come first-served basis to secure your space to splash!

Crowdy Kit Fee Lock (Ceilidh Caller)Event Tickets Only
 Dance Displays
16:00 - 16:45
Order of the Geep  Alternative Morris (Border) Folk Friendzy (Clog, Morris (northwest/border), Rapper, Irish) 
17:30 - 19:25
Sports Hall
Zesty Playford Dance
Lively Playford dances with a strong sense of connection and fun. Bring your enthusiasm and stamina - be prepared to dance! (P)
Crowdy Kit Andrew SwaineWeekend or Day tickets Only
20:00 - 23:45
Sports Hall
Ceilidh
Get ready to dance at a vibrant ceilidh with Out of Hand and caller AERYN! Expect fantastic tunes, lively steps, and a night full of fun, energy, and great vibes. Don't miss it!(P)
Out of Hand (Ceilidh Band) AERYNWeekend, Day or Event tickets Only (£15)
NYFTE  (National Youth Folk Troupe of England) (Youth)
20:30 - 23:30
Riverside
ElectroBal
All-synthesised electro-balfolk dance party, with windsynths, e-melodeon, drum machine, and much much more. (A)
PortmanteauWeekend or Day tickets Only

Events on Monday 26th May 2025
TimeWhatWithPrice
09:30 - 11:00
Riverside
Callers' Workshop: American Squares
A workshop for callers on the topic of calling American squares. (G)
Geoff Cubitt Audrey Jaber (US)Weekend or Day tickets Only
Bruce Rosen (US)
09:30 - 11:00
Sports Hall
English Dance Workshop: Pooh, Piglet & Playford
A workshop, where all the dances—somehow—connect to the world of Winnie the Pooh. Some links are obvious, and some are so tenuous that even Owl might struggle to explain them. (G)
Crowdy Kit Bernie CulkinWeekend or Day tickets Only
11:15 - 12:45
Riverside
Dance Organisers' Round
An opportunity for dance organisers to get together and discuss all things dance organising. Hosted by Jen Cox (Oxfolk/BunkFest/Open Morris/EFDSS) and Jane Curry & Andrew Findlay (London Barndance).
11:15 - 12:40
Sports Hall
Mixed Dance Workshop: What Happens Next
Thinking ahead to help dances flow, some challenging patterns to make you think. Medium to difficult workshop. (G)
Crowdy Kit Frances OatesWeekend or Day tickets Only
14:00 - 15:30
Riverside
Scandi Dance Workshop: Bingsjö Polska
Polska, the Swedish national dance is a wonderful turning dance with many varieties from different villages. Bingsjö Polska is a good introduction as it includes smooth turning of the couple despite each person having different steps. All levels welcome. (A)
J²ohn Stewart & Susannah Diamond Hinny & Joe WassWeekend or Day tickets Only
14:00 - 15:30
Sports Hall
American Dance Workshop: It’s Hip To Be Square
Squares for the Young at Heart! (G)
Crowdy Kit Geoff CubittWeekend or Day tickets Only
15:45 - 17:15
Riverside
Scandi Dance Workshop: Røros Pols
Røros Pols can be an energetic Norwegian dance and includes polska and other interesting steps. All levels welcome although the previous Polska workshop an advantage. (A)
J²ohn Stewart & Susannah Diamond Hinny & Joe WassWeekend or Day tickets Only
15:45 - 17:15
Sports Hall
American Dance Workshop: Breaking the Rules
Dances mostly written by Andrew that stretch the definition of "contra" and "square". Prepare to swing both ways, dance with magpies, and attempt a grid square where the squares themselves move. (A)
Andrew Swaine WillPowerWeekend or Day tickets Only
17:30 - 18:55
Sports Hall
Zesty Contra Dance
Lively contra dances with a strong sense of connection and fun. (G)
Geoff Cubitt WillPowerWeekend or Day tickets Only
19:30 - 19:55
Riverside
Pre-Balfolk & Scandi Dance Session & Dancing
Bring your instruments and/or dancing shoes.
19:30 - 23:00
Sports Hall
Ceilidh
Don’t miss the final ceilidh of this year's festival with Blackbeard’s Tea Party and caller Gordon Potts! Celebrate with high-energy tunes, lively dancing, and a fantastic end to an unforgettable Chippenham!(P)
Blackbeard's Tea Party (Band) Gordon Potts (Caller)Weekend, Day or Event tickets Only (£15)
Madder Mill Molly (Molly)
20:00 - 22:30
Riverside
Balfolk and Scandi Dance
A Grand Tour of Balfolk and Scandi dances. (A)
Hinny & Joe WassWeekend or Day tickets Only