The Alnwick International Music Festival first staged in the year1976, is one of the region’s most popular music events and is one-of-its-kind free community event in UK. The community promoted and managed international folklore event is now to be presented for the 40th time next week, starting from 1st August, running up to 8th August. Besides featuring various acts from Europe, Africa, Asia and North America, this year’s festival will also show acts from Bulgaria, Belgium, America, Ghana and India. There’s also a full line-up of supporting performers coming from all over the UK. The event, a community managed one, has a team of local volunteers, is funded by voluntary contributions entirely and is a registered society.
The event started 49 years ago, when a junior marching band arrived from British Columbia, Canada, to the Northumberland town of Alnwick. The free music festival has grown since then to host groups from across the world and attract large crowds. The main stage set up in the market square will host varied folklore music, many song and dace traditions, each of particular countries and regions. There is no admission charge throughout the festival week. Performances and shows take place in the Alnwick Castle and Garden and there’s also evening concerts at the Alnwick Playhouse. For more information on the free festival go to their website- alnwickmusicfestival.com.
