Ely Folk Festival is set to take place this weekend. 

The event brings the best in folk and roots music to the city, and with less than two days to go, ticket sales have already outstripped last year. 

The 38th annual event runs from July 12 -14 at Stuntney Estate in Ely. 

Festival goers will be able to enjoy headline sets from Brit Award winner and Fairground Attraction singer Eddi Reader MBE, as well as Peatbog Faeries (twice Live Band of the Year at the Scottish Traditional Music Awards).

Also performing will be Breabach, winners of no less than six Scottish Traditional Music Awards, and acclaimed folk duo O’Hooley & Tidow, who are known to a wider audience for providing the theme song and music for BBC1 series Gentleman Jack.

Double British Country Music Association Group of the Year winners Morganway will bring powerful Fleetwood Mac-esque music, and exciting young folk-rockers Rusty Shackle will close the main stage on Sunday night.

There is also plenty of local talent on display, with sets from the Barefoot Doctors, who include former Status Quo drummer Jeff Rich and Chris Newman on guitar and play supercharged blues, rock and funk.

There's also rising folk duo Christina Alden and Alex Patterson, and The Shackleton Trio, who will both make appearances separately as well as performing together as Kitewing.

Winner of the festival band competition the Thomas Bradley Project will be opening proceedings on Friday and hoping to follow in the footsteps of previous winners including Iona Fyfe, the Scots Trad Awards Musician of the Year in 2021.

As well as the music, attendees will be able to take part in ceilidhs, instrumental and dance workshops, ‘meet and greet’ sessions with some of the festival’s leading artists and jam sessions.

There’s also a packed programme for children with storytelling, magic, art and music workshops and much more. Last but by no means least there will be a Dog Bingo competition on the Saturday.

Add in a wide range of craft stalls, mouth-watering food including vegetarian and vegan delights from festival legend Leon Lewis, a real ale bar with 25+ real ales, and a gin and cocktail bar and you have all the ingredients for a perfect weekend.

All of this takes place on the festival’s beautiful tree-lined site adjacent to Ben’s Yard on the beautiful Stuntney Estate. There is a free shuttle bus to the festival from Ely and free car parking for attendees.

There is a free shuttle bus to the festival from Ely and free car parking for attendees.

Visit elyfolkfestival.co.uk for tickets and more information.