Big World Festival 2026: World Music in Folkestone, 1–4 October

Big World Festival runs in Folkestone, Kent, from 1 to 4 October 2026, bringing Gambian kora, Armenian duduk, Afro-Celtic music, Bulgarian choral singing and Argentine tango to venues around the town. The programme is spread across several small venues rather than one festival site, with tickets ranging from pay-what-you-can options to a £50 all-events pass.

Baka Beyond play on Friday night, the London Bulgarian Choir take over a church on Saturday, and Sunday ends with Argentine tango. Singing and dance workshops give visitors a chance to take part between concerts.

What is on at Big World Festival 2026?

The festival opens on Thursday 1 October at Kollectiv with multi-instrumentalist Andrew Cronshaw and Armenian duduk player Tigran Aleksanyan from 7:30pm, followed by Gambian kora player and singer Suntou Susso at 9pm.

On Friday 2 October, the focus moves to Quarterhouse. Wild Women are Wonderful, a cross-generational music, song and poetry collaboration, starts at 7:30pm. Afro-Celtic group Baka Beyond follows at 8:30pm. Current ticket options include pay-what-you-can admission from £5, standard admission at £12 and free entry for children aged 10 and under. Under-18s must be accompanied by an adult.

Saturday: workshops and Bulgarian voices

Saturday 3 October includes a morning discussion on diversifying Folkestone’s music scene, followed by a Baka Beyond music workshop and a Bulgarian singing workshop. The evening concert features the London Bulgarian Choir at St Mary & St Eanswythe’s Church from 7:30pm to 9:30pm.

The choir concert is currently listed at £10 general admission, with a pay-what-you-can option from £5 and free admission for children aged 10 and under.

Sunday: Argentine tango and the closing party

The final day, Sunday 4 October, includes an Argentine tango workshop at the South Cliff Hotel from 2pm to 4pm. A performance and closing dance party with the Tango Terra Quartet follows from 5pm to 7pm.

The dance workshop is £5. The closing party has a £10 general admission ticket and a pay-what-you-can option from £5. Children aged 10 and under can attend free.

Where does the festival take place?

Big World Festival uses several venues around Folkestone, including Kollectiv, Quarterhouse, the South Cliff Hotel and St Mary & St Eanswythe’s Church. The organisers describe the main venues as being within a short walk of Folkestone’s Old Town.

How much does Big World Festival cost?

• Pay-what-you-can tickets from £5 for several events.
• Baka Beyond and Wild Women are Wonderful: £12 standard admission.
• London Bulgarian Choir: £10 standard admission.
• Sunday tango workshop: £5.
• Sunday Tango Terra closing party: £10 standard admission.
• All-events festival ticket: £50.
• Children aged 10 and under: free at several listed events.

Some workshops and community events are free but require advance booking. Ticket availability can change, so check the organiser’s live ticket page before travelling.

Book the events you want to attend

The ticket listings let visitors choose individual concerts and workshops. Check the Friday concert, Bulgarian choir concert and Sunday tango sessions separately for ticket availability. Good Show lists Sunday’s closing performance as 5pm to 7pm; the festival website says 5pm until late, so confirm the finishing time with the organiser.

Big World Festival 2026: 1–4 October, Folkestone, Kent. Programme and venue information: bigworldfestival.com. Current ticket availability and prices are listed by the festival’s ticketing partner, Good Show.

Last verified: 1 October 2026. Prices and availability may change.