From 6^th – 14^th August 2016, venues across Bath will host some of the country’s leading folk music artists and bands, as the Bath Folk Festival 2016 kicks off.

Bath is well-known as the unofficial festival capital of the UK, as so many music, comedy, arts, literature and children’s festivals take place in the city each year. All tastes and interests are catered for, which is what makes the city such a vibrant cultural hotspot.

For folk music fans, the coming couple of weeks are looking very exciting indeed, as the Bath Folk Festival 2016 will officially open on Saturday 6^th August. The festival, which is now in its 7^th successful year, attracts innovative folk talent from all over the UK. Headline acts announced for this year’s event include:

• Lau – Friday 13^th August, Komedia. A band at the centre of the new folk boom, Lau are known as a thrilling live band, with an electric stage presence, a host of memorable tunes and awe-inspiring musical talent.
• John Spiers – Sunday 7^th August, Widcombe Social Club. John Spiers is a concertina and melodeon player who specialises in ‘danceable’ traditional folk music, so is certain to get the crowd on their feet at the Widcombe Social Club.
• Fay Hield & the Hurricane Party – Saturday 6^th August, Widcombe Social Club. A band containing some of the UK’s finest folk musicians and with a nomination for BBC Radio 2’s Horizon Award to their name, Fay Hield & the Hurricane Party are sure to be a popular pick for festivalgoers.

Free events and family fun

As well as the headline acts and big names from the UK folk music scene, there are plenty of other events taking place throughout Bath during the festival. Many of which are family-friendly and free to attend, such as:

• Bath City Farm Family Fun Day. Taking place on Saturday 6^th August, this features live music, free workshops (including dance and crafts) and of course, some cute and cuddly time with the farm animals!
• Free music concerts. These events take place at the RUH and St John’s Hospital on various dates during the festival and feature free lunchtime music performances, storytelling and workshops in some of Bath’s most interesting venues.
• Free Family Ceilidh. Ever wanted to try the traditional Ceilidh dance? Give it a whirl and bring the family too, at a free evening event at Green Park Station, which is just a stone’s throw from Bath Holiday Rentals’ Hot Bath apartment overlooking the Thermae Bath Spa.

Other events taking place during this year’s Bath Folk Festival include the search for rising stars – the New Shoots Competition – as well as a celebration of folk art, open mic events, a range of workshops on different folk music styles and subgenres and the Bath Traditional Summer School, which is open to all ages and abilities.

It’s looking set to be an exciting (and musical) couple of weeks in Bath! Make sure you have somewhere centrally located and lovely to stay – Bath Holiday Rentals has a wide range of elegant, exceptional value apartments spread throughout the city.