Where it began

“Ale” is a term used in past times by Kentish folk to describe a community celebration. That spirit is how Folk Ale started: a chance for musicians and fans of acoustic music to get together, sing, play and listen to great music against a backdrop of beautiful Kent countryside.

The Pig’s Ear Folk Ale was founded in 2003 by family folk group Pig’s Ear: Grant, Keith, Sue and Lyndsey Rule. For many years it was run by the Rule family with a number of other loyal volunteers. From the outset, the idea was to bring musicians and music lovers together in a relaxed, friendly setting, with the emphasis firmly on enjoying the music and each other’s company.

A year away

Folk Ale took place every year on the weekend following the late Spring Bank Holiday, except for 2020, when the festival was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was the first interruption to the festival’s annual rhythm since it began, and an understandably difficult year for a festival built around bringing people together.

Keeping the music going

After a successful online event in 2021, Folk Ale was ready to return in a new form. The online event kept the spirit of Folk Ale alive while people could not gather in the usual way, and it helped pave the way for the festival’s return the following year.

A new chapter

The Pig’s Ear Folk Ale returned in 2022 at a brand new green field site near Sevenoaks, with a new management team and the spectacular Soundscape outdoor solar stage. It was a significant new chapter for the festival, giving Folk Ale a fresh home and a new team to take it forward.

The new site brought a broad range of musical styles and flavours while staying true to the festival’s folk roots. It also allowed the festival to develop its atmosphere in a new setting, while retaining the welcoming spirit that had always been central to Folk Ale.

Growing

The second festival at the new site brought a welcome increase in visitor numbers and even more incredible musical acts. With another successful festival under its belt, the new site and the new shape of Folk Ale were beginning to feel established.

A fallow year

Folk Ale took a fallow year. After the rapid changes of the preceding few years, the pause became part of the festival’s story before its return in 2025.

Back and growing

Folk Ale returned for festivals in 2025 and 2026, each bigger and better than the one before. The festival continues to grow while keeping the music, community and relaxed spirit that have been part of Folk Ale since 2003.