Stage 1
Operates Friday 1.00pm - 11.30pm, Saturday 12 midday - 11.30pm and Sunday midday - 11.00pm.
Most artists perform on Stage 1 at some point. Stage 1 is housed with a huge marquee, in front of a large arena, with the main bar at one end. Delay towers are provided within the arena and many people like to sit outside the marquee in the sun, going into the marquee to see specific artists.
We encourage people to go into the marquee, particularly in the evenings and do not intend for people to listen to the music or view the performances all the way back to the bar. The arena does become crowded but there is often space at the front of marquees.
Please be considerate towards other Festival-goers, particularly with your use of space, with what you bring into the arena eg blankets and chairs and by allowing access to space within marquees. We discourage the use of chairs and prefer small, folding, low back supports. Chairs or other items likely to cause an obstruction are not allowed within Stage 1 and should not block the entrances to the marquee. Please keep the pathway in front of Stage 1 clear to enable people to reach the toilets.
Stage 2
Operates Thursday 6.00pm - 10pm, Friday 3.00pm - 11.30pm, Saturday 12 midday - 11.30pm and Sunday 12.30pm - 11.00pm.
Most artists, apart from some of the largest, appear on Stage 2 at some point. Stage 2 also hosts some special events such as a ceilidh, a session featuring some of the best instrumentalists booked to appear over the weekend and and a children's concert. There is a also juggling workshop before the music on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Stage 2 is housed within a marquee. Chairs or other items likely to cause an obstruction are not allowed within Stage 2 and should not block the entrances to the marquee.
Club tent
Operates Thursday 6.00pm - 10pm, Friday 6.00pm - 11.30pm, Saturday 12 midday - 11.30pm and Sunday 12 midday - 11.00pm.
The Club Tent is an acoustic stage with its own bar at one end. There is a concert on Thursday night, but on Friday, Saturday and Sunday it is hosted on the Festival's behalf by five regional folk clubs.
In addition to some of their regular guests and floor singers, artists from the main bill and Showcases, there are a limited number of approximately fifteen minute slots for those attending the Festival. These fifteen minute slots are intended for people already attending the Festival and not for those wishing to attend purely to perform. Places are allocated on a first come, first served basis. Signing up times are given in the Festival programme which will be available on site.
The Club Tent also hosts a variety of workshops before the music starts on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and the MOJO Interview on Friday. Times will be available in the programme on site. No pre-booking is required.
The Hub
The Hub, located in a funky Bedouin tent next to the Folknet Café, is a music making area reserved for young people only. Here you will find sessions and workshops, with workshops leaders including some of the young artists booked to appear on the stages.
MOJO signing tent
The MOJO signing tent is hosted on the Festival's behalf by staff from MOJO Magazine and is open throughout the weekend. Details of signings are announced from the stages and listed at the tent.
Sessions
Impromptu music sessions by members of the audience are encouraged and take place all over the Festival site. They are a very important part of the Festival's unique atmosphere and we thank these musicians for the great contribution they make towards the event. We do however ask that, late at night, musicians consider the local residents who live close by. Loud campsite noise is a threat to the future of the Festival.
Folknet Cafe
Free internet access and a great cafe are located in the heart of the Cherry Hinton Campsite, at the Folknet Café.
Walkabout
A host of street theatre companies bring great walkabout characters and entertainers to both Cherry Hinton Hall and Coldhams Common on a daily basis.