In a folk festival world of churned up grass and mud beneath your feet, as well as its annual line up, it’s the location that makes Folk on the Pier so unique.
Many festivalgoers find themselves in a field or on a farm battling with the elements outdoors and hoping that their tents won’t blow away! However, the main shows of Folk on the Pier are held in the atmospheric Victorian Pavilion Theatre on the end of Cromer Pier, with sounds of the North Sea waves crashing against the shore as a backdrop when leaving the covered concert settings. This joy of emerging to the sound of the sea can only be emulated by a handful of festivals across the UK.
Now into its 26th annual incarnation, the festival not only finds itself welcoming back many longstanding attendees and friends due to its usual fine programme of artists and warm and friendly nature, but newly converted audience members from the folk world and beyond, and hopefully this will continue for many years to come.
While Cromer may seem somewhat out on a North Norfolk limb, both folk fans and musicians alike have made a beeline to be at or play at this marvellous festival famously described by Fairport Convention’s Dave Pegg as ‘The Best Gig on the North Sea’.
However, as well as the unique setting and the comfort, what really draws people in is a selection of some of the finest acts, artists and musicians on the folk, folk-rock and acoustic circuit and this year is no exception. Offering a wonderful cross section of award winning, dynamic, inventive, traditional and original acts, Folk on the Pier looks set fare to be another success.
FOLK ON THE PIER 2026 – PAVILION THEATRE PROGRAMME
Acts in order of appearance
FRIDAY 8TH MAY
Afternoon Concert
Rattlebox (Raucous Folk band from North Norfolk)
Odette Michell (Award winning history inspired singer-songwriter)
Spiers and Boden (Award winning founders of hugely popular and entertaining big band Bellowhead return to playing live as a duo) (full set)
Evening Concert
Northern Resonance (Swedish Grammy nominated string trio who push the boundaries of Nordic Folk)
Chris Leslie (Multi-talented Multi-instrumentalist Fairport Convention man who has written many of their finest songs and tunes in the 21st Century) (solo)
The Laurel Canyon Project (Taking the audience back to the heady days of Joni Mitchell, Carol King, James Taylor and Crosby Stills Nash and Young) (featuring PJ Wright, Sally Barker. Brooks Williams and full band)
SATURDAY 9TH MAY
Afternoon Concert
Common Culture (Rousing, fiddle driven upbeat alternative folk)
Will Pound and Jenn Butterworth (Virtuoso duo playing energetic tunes and uplifting songs)
Phil Beer (Award winning Show of Hands man playing a mix of original and traditional songs and tunes from across his 5 decade long career) (solo)
Evening Concert
Dan Mckinnon- (Storytelling, thought provoking and warm hearted Canadian songwriter who will be playing as part of his UK tour)
Virginia Kettle’s Rolling Folk- (Merry Hell’s front-woman brings her side project showcasing her original songs from the insightful to the incisive and entertaining to the ethereal)
Demon Barbers- (Celebrating their 25thAnniversary they update the tradition, give it a burst of energy with the addition of bass and drums and encompass modern dance onstage alongside the traditional)
SUNDAY 10TH MAY
Afternoon Concert
Mark Radcliffe and David Boardman (Renowned DJ Mark including the Radio 2 folk show joins forces with artist and guitarist David encompassing as they state ‘2 voices, 2 guitars and some great original songs’)
Gerry Colvin Folk Orchestra (Exuberant and entertaining songwriter and performer Gerry is joined not only by his band but a brass and string section, drummer and backing singers for a unique show that is bound to engage the festival audience throughout. A firm folk festival favourite). (special double festival set)
Evening Concert
Vikki Clayton (Fairport Convention collaborator and singer songwriter who has released 8 solo albums) (solo)
Duff Paddy (Acoustic duo of guitar and bodhran blending traditional and Celtic songs and tunes)
Feast of Fiddles (Celebrating more than 30 years together this tour de force of a 9 piece band includes some of the most in demand musicians in the world of folk who have worked with Fairport Convention, Steeleye Span, and Lindisfarne to name but 3. )
Full weekend season ticket for all six concerts are now on sale at the tier two price of £150 – this represents a saving of at least £15
Individual concert tickets will go on sale from Tuesday 9th December – subject to availability.
BOOKING DETAILS: – https://www.cromerpier.co.uk/show-page/2026-folk-on-the-pier-weekend-pass/873655434/
