Colourful dance displays and woodland fun are coming to a seaside town in North Yorkshire this week as a popular folk festival returns.
Saltburn Folk Festival will take place from Friday (August 7) to Sunday (August 9), bringing three days of music, workshops, dance and community events to the streets and venues of the seaside town.
While many opt for the ticketed concerts, organisers say there are plenty of free events on offer, encouraging residents and visitors to experience folk culture without the need for a festival pass.
Elinor Attwood, artistic director of Saltburn Folk Festival, said: "Saltburn Folk Festival is known for its ticketed concerts, but some of the most joyful and memorable parts of the weekend happen around the town and are completely free to enjoy.
"We want local residents and visitors, including people who might never have been to a folk festival before, to come and discover how broad, exciting and welcoming folk arts can be."
This year's festival marks the introduction of the Valley Woods Family Festival, transforming the Valley Gardens Woodland Centre into a hub of family activities.
Highlights include puppetry, storytelling, crafts and interactive performances.
Families can meet playful characters such as Trolliver and The Wild Beasts of Silly during walkabout shows, and workshops will offer lantern-making, folk-inspired printing, and music sessions for younger children.
The popular Days of Dance will see morris, clog and rapper dance teams performing around Saltburn, including at the Cliff Lift, Station Portico, seafront and pier.
The Bandstand Stage will also host free performances on Saturday and Sunday, featuring a mix of established artists, emerging talent and community groups.
The line-up includes singer-songwriter Angeline Morrison, alt-folk trio Salt House and musicians Hannah James and Toby Kuhn.
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There will be pop-up music available throughout the town, with appearances from the Storytellers Streetband, youth folk groups and the Saltburn Sirens choir.
A new Folk Explorer Pass has been introduced for those wanting to get more involved, offering entry to workshops and spoken-word events over the weekend.
Although weekend tickets are now sold out, organisers are keen to remind people that a large part of the programme remains free, and the festival atmosphere can be enjoyed by all across Saltburn.
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