Oxford Folk Festival returns with over 70 events from today

The Oxford Folk Festival, which runs until Sunday, April 12, has a full line-up of music, dance, and community events at various venues and public spaces.

The historic Covered Market will be the central hub, with performances running throughout the weekend.

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A free concert featuring the Abingdon-based Ock Street Band will take place at 7.30pm on Saturday, this marks a continuation of the festival’s traditions.

Another band called Aisling from Leiden, Oxford’s twin city, will be performing at the festival.

The group will entertain at a song and dance evening with the Oxford Folk Dancers at St Matthew’s Church on Friday night, where attendees will also be treated to a ploughman’s supper.

The six-piece band is also set to perform at various spots including North Parade market, the Covered Market, and Leiden Square at the Westgate centre.

With more than 70 performances planned, the festival is set to take over numerous outdoor locations such as Broad Street, Bonn Square, St Giles, Radcliffe Square, and Oxford Castle.

Morris dancers perform during a previous folk festival (Image: Ed Nix)

Indoor concerts are to be held at venues including Blackwell’s Norrington Room, the Old Fire Station, the Weston Library, and Modern Art Oxford.

The events are divided into six categories: headline concerts, ceilidhs and social dance, workshops, Morris dancing displays, free gigs by local artists, and pub-based folk sessions.

Dance events on Friday and Saturday evenings will offer “Morris For All” badges at the Catholic Chaplaincy, and during the day at St Columba’s Church on Saturday and Sunday.

The festival is also doing its bit to be inclusive, planning family-friendly activities, including special educational needs (SEN) events on Saturday morning at St Columba’s Church, followed by a workshop at the Museum of Oxford.

Having secured access to the Westgate centre, the organisers have planned a series of performances in Leiden Square, on the roof terrace, and in a specific busking area.

The weekend’s activities in Leiden Square are opened with a fanfare from Horns of Plenty, with a celebration of performers and dance at noon on Saturday.