Summer’s in full swing – and that means it’s festival season. Whether you’re a seasoned festival-goer who loves the vibrant, friendly atmosphere, great food and drink and tempting stalls, or a first-timer who fancies trying something new, there’s sure to be an event nearby to tickle your fancy.
Ironbridge Gorge Brass Band Festival
9-10 July, Museum of Iron, Coalbrookdale
It’s hard not to love a festival nicknamed ‘Brasstonbury’, and this free-to-enter extravaganza features a record 27 bands performing everything from film themes to Lloyd Webber to Led Zeppelin. There’s also a Young Composer competition for under 19s.
Entry is free – visit ironbridgebandfestival.co.uk for more details.
Shrewsbury Fields Forever
15-17 July, Quarry Park
With Dizzee Rascal, the Mystery Jets and the Happy Mondays, this year’s SFF should be a cracker. There’s a comedy tent compered by Danny McLoughlin from Dave’s One Night Stand, and the BBC Introducing stage features local acts The Rooz and Cooper and Davies.
Tickets range from £25 for a youth day ticket to £68 for a full weekend ticket. Visit shrewsburyfieldsforever.com for more information.
Festival at the Edge
18-20 July, Stokes Barn, Much Wenlock
This family-friendly storytelling festival weaves together a tapestry of spoken word and musical artists from around the world, along with crafts and circus skills workshops for kids and a real ale ‘pop-up pub’ for adults.
Tickets range from £20 for a junior day ticket up to £280 for a family weekend ticket, with camping extra. Go to festivalattheedge.org for full details.
RAF Cosford Food Festival
23-24 July, RAF Cosford
This year’s festival features a tasty line-up of over 80 producers. Try Moyden’s Handmade Cheese and Salop Pickle Works’s chutneys, or Hurst View’s award-winning cider and perry and Hobson’s Shropshire-brewed ales. There will be food demos and live music, including from the Military Wives Choir. There’s plenty to occupy kids, too, with cookery classes, pottery workshops, face painting, circus skills and a play bus.
Tickets range from £2 for children to £12 for a family; find out more at rafmuseumorg.uk/cosford.
Hole in the Wall
30-31 July, Hopton Court, Hopton Waters
If you’re a sucker for songs you know and love, Hole in the Wall is the festival for you. Crammed with covers and tribute bands, the two-day event takes place within the stunning grounds of Hopton Court.
Tickets are £25 for a day ticket and £40 for the weekend. Visit livemusicevent.co.uk/hole-in-the-wall-festival/ for details.
Telfood Feastival
30-31 July, QEII Arena, Southwater
Telford’s first food festival brings together more than 130 local producers, along with top regional chefs Suree Coates from Broseley’s King and Thai, Stuart Phillips from Norton’s Hundred House and Lesley Keever and Abbi Lycett from the Grove in Walcot. Kids can enjoy the Cooking Bus and climbing walls.
Entrance is £5 for adults and £1 for children, or £10 for a family – see the website at telfood.co.uk for more details.
Farmer Phil’s Festival
12-14 August, near Gatten Farm, Ratlinghope
Shropshire’s refreshingly rural festival is great value for money and features an eclectic range of acts, from The Selector and Dreadzone to locals Nikki Rous and Bridgnorth’s own Guitar Cubed. Panic Circus, Junkfish and Exotic Zoo will keep the little ones happy. Kids under 12 go free – small wonder Farmer Phil’s won Festivalkidz’ 2015 Best Tiny Festival.
Tickets range from £35 for a day ticket to £220 for a family weekender. Visit farmerphilsfestival.com for more details.
V Festival
16-17 August, Weston Park
The county’s biggest traffic-stopper this year features Jake Bugg, the Kaiser Chiefs and Rihanna along with Rick Astley, Soul II Soul and the Lightning Seeds to keep the oldies happy. Comedians Josh Widdecombe and Sara Pascoe provide the laughs, and Annie Mac controls the wheels of steel in the dance tent.
Tickets cost between £89 for a day ticket and £189 for a weekend ticket. Visit vfestival.com to find out more.
Bridgnorth Music & Arts Festival
19-31 August, venues around Bridgnorth
This year sees the 11th festival – the county’s biggest free festival – and the High Street and Quayside will feature live acts, with Jazz in the Castle on 20 August. Bridgnorth Arts Society hold an exhibition in St Leonard’s Church, and a food fair and vintage market hit the High Street on Sunday 27 August; the EDG Rock Stage, also on Sunday, features 10 hours of non-stop prog rock, hard rock and grunge.
All events are free; visit bridgnorthfestival.org.uk for more information.
FordFest
19-20 August, Fordhall Organic Farm, Market Drayton
Family-friendly festival with local bands, local ales, wines and ciders; Friday night features an acoustic singalong, while Saturday sees circus fun, live music and hot food.
Tickets £8 in advance or £10 on the door. Call 01630 638696 or go to fordhallfarm.com for more details.
Shrewsbury Folk Festival
26-30 August, West Mids Showground
As well as headliners The Levellers and Tom Robinson, the festival features better-than-ever provision for kids, with the Family Folk Slam, bubbles, stories and crafts, plus the legendary lantern parade. Refolkus, the unique mini-festival for 11-20 year olds, offers events and workshops to keep teens on their toes.
Tickets start from £35 for a Friday night ticket to £432 for a family ticket with two teens. Visit shrewsburyfolkfestival.co.uk for more information.
Ludlow Food Festival
9-11 September, venues around Ludlow
With more workshops and activities for children, Ludlow’s food frenzy brings summer to a close with a bang. There are events all over town, with exhibitors such as Bim’s Kitchen’s African cuisine, Chilli Zoo’s spicy jams and pickles, and nut and crunchies from Ludlow Nut Company.
Prices vary from £8 for a day ticket to £14 for the weekend, with family tickets priced at £20. Go to foodfestival.co.uk to find out more.
