CEILIDHS & DANCE

KIDS CEILIDH
Thursday | Stage 3
 
Frog On A Bike: with caller Mary Panton 
 

We’re thrilled to announce our brand-new kids ceilidh to kick off the Festival. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or it’s your first foray into ceilidh dancing, this is the option for you. Featuring one of the best local bands on the circuit and Festival favourite caller Mary Panton to lead you through the dances, you’ll be a ceilidh convert in no time.

Often described as one of the “flat lands” finest folk-rock ceilidh bands, Cambridgeshire’s Frog on a Bike have been an established and hugely popular name on the professional East Anglian ceilidh scene for over 30 years. The relatively recent advent of their 6 piece “festival band” line-up has also helped see them fast become a staple of the wider English ceilidh circuit, which naturally includes some of the UK’s biggest folk festivals.

Composers and creative interpreters of traditional tunes, Frog on a Bike’s frenetic energy, distinctive sound and driving rhythm is guaranteed to have you up and dancing. 

 

MAIN CEILIDH 
Friday | Stage 2
 
The Urban Folk Theory
 
The Urban Folk Theory are back... but this year not only are they bringing you their take on the awesome Silent Ceilidh featuring epic tracks and tunes from great artists, they will also be bringing you some simply glorious, solid folk rock in their ceilidh for you lovely people to get your Cambridge Friday dancing boots in the mood. Get your folk shapes ready! 
 

FAMILY CEILIDH 
Friday | Stage 2
 
Stumpy Oak
 
Hailing from East Anglia, the ever-popular ceilidh band Stumpy Oak delivers a fiercely rhythmic and frenetic performance, showcasing tunes from across the British Isles and beyond. Known for their high-energy sets, the band is a Festival favourite, guaranteed to get the crowd moving. A dynamic blend of instruments creates the signature sound of Stumpy Oak. Leading the charge are the fiery, dual fiddles of Erin Brown and Terry Craig, intertwined with the lively accordion and rhythmic stomp box of Barry Watson. Sarah Petts’ flute adds weaving countermelodies while the ensemble is anchored by the guitar of Darren Bidle, with throbbing sub-octave bass lines that add depth and power. Prepare to get your feet - and your whole body - moving as Stumpy Oak weaves together infectious melodies that lift spirits and elevate ceilidh dancing to new heights. 
 

SILENT DISCO WITH BIRDVOX
Friday | Stage 2
 
Birdvox
 
Brand new for 2024 a Silent Disco provided by the incredible Birdvox! After their captivating live performance, band members will curate an unforgettable playlist, ensuring you dance the night away. 

SILENT CEILIDH
Saturday | Stage 2
 
DJ Nick Haynes - featuring caller Cate Haynes
 
A quick introduction to this year’s Silent Ceilidh and DJ Nick Haynes. Festival audiences have already experienced Cate Haynes on a regular basis with the awesome Tom A Wright. Many will also have enjoyed Nick Haynes’ work with the (Urban Folk Theory’s) Evolution Ceilidh and their Silent Live Ceilidh Band, which appeared here in 2022. Nick is absolutely delighted to be returning to Cambridge Folk Festival to help Cate Haynes deliver The Silent Ceilidh on Saturday night. Choose top recorded trad tunes or classic and groundbreaking dance, pop, reggae and folk, remixed by Nick for Cate to get you to throw some folk shapes to. Two channels, two worlds of dance, one Cambridge Folk Festival! Bring your dancing shoes! 

 

 

Broadcast and media partners

Supporters