I am not able to keep this page up to date with any last minute changes so please verify events and times on Oxford Folk Festival media https://linktr.ee/oxfordfolkfest

Lunchtime to early evening

Local Performer Showcase Events

These are the free, local showcase events that take place between lunchtime and early evening.

Oxford Folk Festival 2026 - Alphabetical List of Local Performers

Common Ground

14:00  Jim Driscoll
14:45   Roary Skaista
15:30   Craig McLearie
16:15   Amy Gill
17:00   Colin Pitts
17:45   Holy Fools
18:30   End

Covered Market

12:00   Kim Hobday
13.00  Jess & Jones
14.00  Oli Steadman
15.00  Colin Greenway
16.00  Reunion Lane
17.00  End

Modern Art Oxford

12:00 Paul Lodge
12:45 McIvor & the Oreffos
13:30 Mansfield Smith
14:15 Colin Pitts
15:00 David Clifton
15:45 Rachel & Rosie
16:30 Jim Driscoll
17:15 End

Old Fire Station Cafe

16.00 Enda McCabe
17.00 Saltline Songs
18.00 Water Chorus Band
19.00 End

Westgate Centre - Elite Busking (Buskstop)

12:00 Roary Skaista
12:45 Mark Austin
13:30 Kim Hobday
14:15 McIvor and the Oreffos
15:00 Jess and Jones
15:45 Joker’s Daughter
16:30 Mansfield Smith
17:15 End

Westgate Centre - Leiden Square

14:15 Scarecrow
15:00 Township Waits
15:45 One Trick Donkey
16:30 Mandolirium
17:15 End

Westgate Centre - Roof Terrace (2nd Floor)

12:00 Scarecrow
12:45 Reunion Lane
13:30 Mandolirium
14:15 Gracenotes
15:00 tbc
15:45 Water Chorus Band
16:30 I.C. and the Drones
17:15 End

Westgate Library

12.00 Anabel
12.45 Richard MacAndrew
13.30 Joshua Hall
14.15 Rosie & Rachel
15.00 Braham
16.00 Ends

Ticketed Concerts

Evening Events

Ticketed Concert

Ellie Gowers + Owl Light Trio at New Road Baptist Church

Since emerging on the UK folk scene with her 2022 debut album Dwelling by the Weir, Ellie Gowers has captivated audiences with songs rooted in folklore, ecology, and the nuanced stories of her hometown, Warwick. Lauded by The Guardian as “full of delicacy, precision, and gentle delight,” the album established her as a compelling new presence on the UK touring circuit.

While she remains deeply connected to the folk tradition, Ellie’s latest music marks a bold evolution in her sound — drawing inspiration from the likes of MIPSO and Jeff Buckley. Written in the wake of a demanding year on the road, her new material explores themes of distance, longing, and emotional duality, signalling a more expansive and contemporary direction in her songwriting.

The inventive, original and critically claimed Owl Light Trio play tunes they love on concertina (Jim Penny), fiddle (Jane Griffiths) and guitar (Colin Fletcher). ‘A vibrant blend of traditional tunes and innovative folk music’ (Tradfolk). Their material is self-written and trad tunes from Britain, Ireland and Europe, and their performances are always magical.

Doors open at 7:00pm, concert 7:30 - 9:30 - New Road Baptist Church, OX1 1LQ
 Information and Tickets: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/oxfolkceilidhs/1982113

Simon Mayor/Hilary James & Moonrakers

Oxford Folk Festival presents an exciting double bill with mandolin maestro Simon Mayor partnered by singer/guitarist Hilary James , plus renowned 4-piece Moonrakers (cello, fretted instruments, harp, vocals). They will both perform for an hour, then come together at the end. Expect jokes, choruses and superb musicianship.

19:30 - 22:00 - St Michael at the North Gate, Cornmarket Street, Oxford, OX1 3EY
Information and tickets: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/simon-mayorhilary-james-moonrakers-tickets-1851575916409#location

Aisling in Concert!

Aisling, a band of musicians from Leiden, Oxford's twin city in Holland, is visiting England to add to the festivities of the annual Oxford Folk Festival. In this special evening concert they will entertain their Oxford audience in a wonderful evening of Irish and Dutch folk music. There will be dancing, a ploughman's supper will  be included and a (pay) bar will be available.. Welcome Aisling to Oxford and have a lovely evening!

Fri 10 Apr 2026 7:30 PM - 10:00 PM
 St Matthews Church, 63 Marlborough Road, Oxford, OX1 4LW

Information and tickets: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/finstockunpluggedfinfolk/2111950

Oxfolk Dance

Ceilidh with The Oakstone Trio and caller Erin Mansfield at The Newman Rooms

Oxford-based The Oakstone Trio has been making a name for themselves through the captivating, lively and lovely English folk tunes they play.  They often draw on music from the 17th-18th centuries as well beautifully banging tunes of their own writing. We are delighted to have them back for playing dancing again.  The trio is Josh Newman on fiddle and viola, Mitch Keeley on guitar, and Louis Thurman on melodeon. Josh and Mitch also play in Irish band Moonaroon, Louis plays in The Emperors of the Moon, and all of them are well known on the local session circuit. 

The energetic and dynamic Erin Mansfield is joining the band, with a great selection of dances. Erin uses non-gendered calls.

Doors 7pm, dance 7:15-10 - The Newman Rooms, OX1 1RD
 Information and Tickets: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/oxfolkceilidhs/1982113

Sessions

19:30 - 22:00 - Irish Session - Jack Evans - The Harcourt Arms, Cranham, Jericho, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX2 6DG
20:00 - 00:00 - Bastard English Session - James Bell - The Isis Farmhouse, Haystacks Corner, The Towing Path, Iffley, Iffley Lock, Oxford OX4 4EL
20:00 - 23:00 - Open Night - Oxford Folk Club - Royal British Legion, 17 Hadow Rd, Oxford OX3 0JW