WORKSHOPS 2026

24th-26th Feb 2026

The 2025 festival pass includes:

  • The four half-day songwriting workshops with guest tutors

  • All Masterclasses, including the Friday afternoon guitar workshop with Chris Corcoran at 2:45pm and the singing workshop at 1.00pm

  • Tuesday welcome reception and student Open Stage

  • Evening concert featuring Hannah White and Keiron Marshall with Findlay Napier

  • Tea, coffee and light refreshments during the workshops

For tickets, contacts and information click HERE

Folkestone Songwriting Festival

ARRAN COMEDY WORKSHOP

7th & 8th March 2026

This is a two day comedy course for ANYONE who wants to feel more creative, more confident, or rediscover their ability to play and collaborate.

The workshops use skills and exercises from the worlds of stand-up and improv to help hone these attributes and can be applied to any walk of life.

Over these two days you'll be amazed to discover the fun you can have embracing the silly side of life and following the fun.

Whether you wish to apply these skills to a career in performance or just revive your mindset and inject new ways to think into your life-comedy can help! It's also very useful for musicians who want to feel more comfortable chatting between the songs in their sets.

WHERE AND WHEN ARE THE WORKSHOPS

Two days of workshops 10am-4pm Saturday and Sunday then an easy going performance hosted by Paul "Silky" White in the Ormidale Glasshouse.

There are only 12 places available. Tickets are £140

Get your ticket HERE

Lake District Songwriting Retreat

5th to 8th June 2026

With Pete Astor and hosted by Lorraine Lucas.

Looking to breathe some fresh air into your creative practice?

This all-inclusive, tutor-led songwriting retreat takes place in the heart of the wild western Lakes – a landscape of soaring mountains, rolling rivers and ancient woodlands that’s as creatively nourishing as it is breathtaking. Far from the noise of everyday life, it offers the perfect space to retreat, reflect, and rekindle your songwriting spark.

Over the course of the week, you’ll take part in group sessions, song circles, one-to-one mentoring, and intimate evening performances – all designed to help you deepen your craft and explore new creative ground. This year’s tutors are acclaimed musicians and educators Pete Astor and Findlay Napier – two of the most exciting and respected voices in contemporary songwriting. As experienced performers, writers and teachers, they know exactly how to get to the heart of a good song story and will guide you with insight, warmth and encouragement.

With their support – and the company of fellow songwriters – you’ll have the time and space to try out new ideas, sharpen your storytelling, and reconnect with what makes a song truly sing.

  • Buffet breakfasts, set lunches and evening meals.

  • Hot and chilled refreshments and snacks.

  • 5 writing sessions with Findlay and Pete.

  • 2 student song circles.

  • A special guest tutors’ concert from Pete, Findlay and Lorraine (host).

  • 1:1 song guidance from tutors.

  • Q&As about the tutors’ writing process.

  • Advice on career elevation.

  • Guided wild swimming and walks (optional).

Please contact Folkestone Songwriting Festival via the enquiry form if you have any dietary needs.

Single Occupancy Double Room – £600

Twin Occupancy – £500 per person

Live Out – £350