Events & Entertainment, Wimborne | Posted on June 12th, 2026 | return to news

Wimborne Minster Folk Festival kicks off

A three-day celebration of folk music takes place this weekend in Wimborne Minster.

Wimborne is getting folk-y.

The annual celebration of folk music takes place from Friday 12 June to Sunday 14 June, and this year coincides with Wimborne Minster’s status as Dorset Town of Culture 2026. The festival has been taking place since the 1980s.

Throughout the weekend, there will be free music acts performing on stages across the town, including at Willow Walk, The Square, The Olive Branch and the Allendale Centre.

There will also be ‘busk stops’ dotted throughout the town for buskers to perform.

As well as music, dozens of dance teams are visiting the area, performing traditional Morris dancing and other folk dance styles.

For grown-ups, the Microbrewery will be a popular spot to visit. Situated next to the Allendale Centre, there will be several local breweries offering fresh beer.

As well as the microbreweries, several craft, trade and food stalls will be selling their wares during the weekend.

There are several family activities on offer, including lawn games outside the Allendale Centre, storytelling, singing and drum sessions, as well as the opportunity to practise crafts such as weaving and flower headdress making.

A highlight will be the Saturday afternoon parade, when dance troupes and bands will wind their way through the town. Starting at Park Lane, the procession will head along East Street, past the Minster and through the Corn Market, around West Street and through The Square to finish by The Olive Branch.

The procession will begin after 2pm.

King Street, High Street and Church Street will be closed to traffic during the weekend, and West Street will be closed during the Saturday afternoon parade.

For full details of which musical acts are performing, where and when, pick up the official Wimborne Minster Folk Festival programme, available for £5 from selected places around the town.