Dance festival
We pride ourselves on having a strong dance programme at the Priddy Folk Festival, including Morris and display dance sides, ceilidhs and workshops. And the best thing is that most of the Dance Festival is free and open to all! Here’s the lineup:
Beltane
The all-inclusive Beltane Border Morris bring fiery energy and dark defiance to their music and dancing. Emerging in disguise from the wilds of Dartmoor, the highly acclaimed Beltane combine a kick-ass attitude, driving rhythms and compelling choreography. Through their unique style and sound, the dancers and musicians bring to life the ancient, mysterious and uncanny, with stories of shapeshifters, witches, stone circles and tor-crowned peaks. In 2026, Beltane Border Morris proudly mark their 25th anniversary. Join us for another unforgettable performance.
Berkshire Bedlam
Berkshire Bedlam have been entertaining audiences for almost 50 years with their own unique approach to Cotswold Morris, featuring high energy dances performed not only with enthusiasm, gusto, precision, and great musical accompaniment, but also with a strong awareness of what will interest and appeal to those watching. They feature a wide array of dances, including bewildering flying stick routines, and their legendary Coconut dance, performed, they say, with coconut shells gathered from the foothills of the Cotswolds. But you never quite know what to believe when BB are around!
Gwerin
Gwerin is an intergenerational group celebrating traditional Cornish music, dance and song. Gwerin means ‘folk’ in Cornish, and their costumes are inspired by Cornwall’s rich geology, incorporating hues of purple, green and blue found in its rocks and minerals, alongside tones of tin and copper. With members from two years old and up, Gwerin embrace dancers and musicians of all ages, celebrating Cornish culture and having fun passing these cultural treasures on from one generation to the next.
Heaps Morris
Founded in 2023, Heaps Morris is a vibrant group of women-identifying dancers passionate about learning and sharing traditional Cotswold Morris dances. Named after the ‘heaps of dross’ found at Troopers Hill in Bristol, our side was initially formed at the creative hub of St Anne’s House in Brislington. We have since grown into a creative and dynamic collective, supported by talented folk musicians. We perform at community events and folk music gatherings, bringing the joy and energy of Morris dancing to a wider audience.
Kittiwake
Kittiwake Border Morris are a heady mix of energy, noise, sticks and joy! Swooping into formation in Bristol in 2022, they perform a mixture of original and traditional dances accompanied by a band of talented musicians – seamlessly blending the best of tradition with fresh innovation. They are a proudly LGBTQ+ inclusive side. Their blue, white and black tatters and feather-style faces (representing their seabird moniker) and youthful energy make for performances that are both fun and fierce. Come and watch a mesmerising show full of yips, yells and bells!
Mr Wilkins Shilling
Mr Wilkins Shilling began as a women’s North West Clog Morris in 1988. Although based in Bath, the original members all came the North West of England. Most of their dances originate in the mill towns of Lancashire and the surrounding counties. The clogs worn by the side today are similar to the Sunday best clogs of the mill girls. These days MWS also perform dances which have been written by members of the team and dances passed on from other sides, all within the tradition of the North West. They welcome new members!
Pigsty Morris
Pigsty Morris is an inclusive Cotswold side established in Bristol (on Pigsty Hill) in 1987, welcoming adult dancers of any age, gender, sexuality and ethnicity. They dance several traditions, mainly but not exclusively, Adderbury, Fieldtown, Litchfield, Bampton and Bucknell. They also compose their own dances. Currently with over twenty dancers ranging in age from early twenties to late seventies, they are always on the lookout for new dancers. If you like the look of them and can get to weekly practices in north Bristol on Friday nights, get in touch!
Theale Tattoo
Theale Tattoo are a vibrant Step Clog team based in Theale, near Reading in Berkshire. Taking their name from the percussive sound of their colourful clogs, their dances are a range of traditional and original clog step routines, including Welsh steps, Westmorland routines, Pat Tracey routines, Sam Sherry routines, and lots more. Founded in 2014, they will be joined at Priddy Folk Festival by a special guest, Lancashire and Cheshire Clog Dance Champion Nickie Dailly, who will be adding her dazzling routines to their repertoire.
White Horse Morris
White Horse Morris are a mixed Cotswold and Border side based in Wiltshire. Formed in 1951 as a male only side, they became a mixed side in 2001. 2026 marks their 75th anniversary, and they look forward to dancing at Priddy as part of their celebrations. Their kit of green and blue baldricks and rag coats represents the lush green chalk downs of Wiltshire and the radiant blue sky, with their baldrick badge featuring the Westbury White Horse.
Ceilidhs and Workshops
As well as dance workshops and displays, we will have three ceilidhs to delight your dancing feet:
Ceilidh for All Ages
Saturday 12.30 Village Hall (Wristband only)
Join the Barnstormers, a five-piece band from Nailsea, who are renowned for uplifting and spirited playing with fiddles, flutes, guitar and percussion, joined by popular and innovative caller Rob Wheatley. Expect fiery jigs and rollicking reels delivered with skill and pace.
Ceilidh with Melrose Quartet
Saturday 19.30 Village Hall (Wristband only)
Our legendary Saturday night ceilidh is led by the wonderful Melrose Quartet with caller Hannah Cumming. This is a ceilidh with a difference, as the band use singing as well as instruments for the dance music, to great effect.
Family Ceilidh
Sunday 14.00 Eastwater
The Lochrian Ceilidh Band is back – what better way to spend the last afternoon of the festival dancing with your family and friends? Expect fun, some great dancing and energetic music – no experience required as our caller will take you through the steps. Beltane will provide wild dark Morris magic while you get a breather in the interval.
