Overview
The Hull Folk and Maritime Festival is an annual three-day event held at Hull Marina, Victoria Pier, Humber Street and the Old Fruit Market areas of the City of Kingston upon Hull.
Every corner you turn you will see and hear the sounds of folk music, pop your clogs on and join in with traditional folk dancing, swing around the Maypole and try instrument making and songwriting.
There will be an array of live folk sessions in the pubs, a main stage, a busker trail, an open mic warehouse for Hull’s up and coming talent and ticketed events on the evenings, across both days.
Listen to folk tales by our traditional story teller, visit the Folk Den and join in with the folk crafts for the whole family.
Learn about Hull’s heritage and folk culture dating back to the 70’s at Folk Union One, and watch how the Waterson’s success unfolded over the decades.
Take a food trip around the world and sup up at our real ale warehouse.
The status of Kingston upon Hull, (usually shortened to just “Hull”) as a major port over the centuries has meant that ideas and influences from different cultures and nationalities have been readily assimilated into the city, creating a rich diversity of folk traditions.
The city also played an important part in reviving and preserving the musical heritage of the British Isles during the post-war folk revival, with the establishment of the Folk Union One Club above Ye Old Blue Bell pub in 1963 by the Watersons, who would go on to forge one of the most influential family dynasties in British folk music.
Even though Folk Union One eventually ceased to exist, the torch for live folk music was carried on by other clubs during the 1970s and 1980s, and 1990 saw the establishment of the Hull Sea Shanty Festival, which ran, under various guises, until 2011, when it became a casualty of funding cuts. However, the first Hull Folk Festival took place in 2012, continuing the legacy with a real commitment to keeping the maritime aspect alive, and we are very proud of these roots.
With its centuries-old waterfront location and its sea-going heritage, Hull provides the perfect setting for a unique event which resonates with the traditions, customs and individual character of the city.
Hull Folk and Maritime Festival and its related events are organised by Folk in Hull, which is a registered charity.