New virtual event to replace 2020 Whitby Folk Week - but plans under way for return next year

The new event will run between August 22 and 28 when virtual activities will include concerts, dances, presentations, story-telling and more through a variety of mediathat people can access from home.

Since announcing the postponement and having been overwhelmed by the support of regular festival attendees and the local community, Folk Week Director, Melanie Barber, said: “The folk world is like an extended family to us, and events like Whitby Folk Week bring people together through music, dance and song.

“Whitby has a uniquely special place in all our hearts, however sadly we had no choice but to postpone this year’s Folk Week, to help protect the town we love, as well as our own festival-goers.

“We’re already making plans for our return to Whitby in 2021.”

Plans are well under way to ensure the annual Thursday Night ceilidh, one of the week's highlights, still goes ahead using a new online format.

This year, the rainbow theme will pay tribute to key workers, and organisers are requesting donations for NHS Charities Together.

There will also be an event to support Whitby RNLI, for which the festival fundraises every year, and those attending events will be encouraged to donate towards future Whitby Folk Weeks.

Click here for more details.