We are currently finalising our programme for 2025’s festival. Please check back soon!
There are numerous ways to enjoy this year’s festival, from full-residential options including bed and breakfast, to non-participant and single event passes, we’ve got an option for everyone!
The Full Residential Festival Pass includes:
the four half-day songwriting workshops with guest tutors
Friday afternoon meet & greet with the tutors and evening meal at the Lighthouse Tasting Rooms
Saturday evening “Songwriters in the Round” concert with the tutors
Sunday morning singing circle and sea swim
Sunday closing concert with Kris Drever and Support TBC
Tea, coffee and light refreshments during the workshops
At Folkestone Songwriting Festival, we pride ourselves on assembling the finest professionals, as reflected by our esteemed tutor alumni. To ensure our events are inclusive, we’ve implemented Clearpay, enabling attendees to stagger payments until October. We offer various tickets, including residential, non-residential, and workshop-only options, all designed to provide value for money.
As a not-for-profit event, we diligently manage our budget without relying on Arts Council funding. Any grants received will be used to enhance the festival without increasing costs for participants. We’ll keep you updated on any new tutors or program improvements.
This year’s core festival will be a residential experience at The Clifton Hotel, Folkestone.
Offering spectacular views of the English Channel, this traditional Victorian-style hotel dates back to 1864, and is steeped in a rich history and nostalgia that will captivate you before you arrive!
We have a wide range of residential and non-residential options available for this year’s festival – For more information, please visit our booking page.
Folkestone Songwriting Festival is a long-running, annual event taking place this year between Friday 4th October – Sunday 6th October in Folkestone, Kent.
We invite songwriters, singers and musicians of all levels, genres and abilities to collaborate and celebrate the gift of music! Our programme includes a plethora of quality masterclasses and workshops, hosted by leading musical talent.
Supplementing the core masterclasses, the weekend also plays host to a variety of concerts and social events, all of which are optional – Your festival pass grants you full access… Feel free to attend or not attend as many as you like!
Folkestone is a coastal town with excellent transport links, and truly has something for everyone – Be it intimate and relaxing seaside cafes, or bustling pubs and music venues for a night on the town!
We hope to see you soon!
The festival pass includes full access to all of our masterclasses, workshops, gigs and networking events.
An evening meal is included on the Friday evening, following our meet and greet.
The full festival pass is £275, plus a modest booking fee of £11.
You can purchase your festival pass via WeGotTickets.
Some of our workshops and concerts are also open to the general public and available as standalone events – Please check back soon for further information.
Most importantly, yourself and your enthusiasm. If you play an instrument, you are welcome (and encouraged) to bring it – but this is not obligatory (for practical reasons, acoustic instruments are preferred). The Festival is about songwriting and sharing: no-one will force or expect you to perform!
You will likely find it useful to bring a notebook and pen to record your ideas.
This year’s festival is supported by:
© 2025 Lorraine Lucas Music. All rights reserved.