ClogFest 2026: Traditional Clog Dancing Takes Over Clitheroe

If you hear the unmistakable rhythmic clatter of clogs echoing through Clitheroe this September, there’s a good reason. ClogFest is returning to town for a weekend celebrating traditional dance, music and Lancashire heritage.

Taking place on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September 2026, Clitheroe ClogFest brings together clog dancing teams from across the UK – and sometimes further afield – for two days of performances and traditional entertainment.

Whether you already know your heel steps from your toe taps or have never seen clog dancing before, it’s a great opportunity to experience a living piece of northern culture right here in the Ribble Valley.

What is Clitheroe ClogFest?

Clog dancing has deep roots in the industrial communities of Lancashire and the North of England, and ClogFest celebrates that heritage by bringing dancers, musicians and craftspeople into the heart of Clitheroe.

Visitors can expect a lively Day of Dance, performances from visiting teams and demonstrations from professional clog makers. The weekend also features the Lancashire & Cheshire Clog Dancing Competitions.

Previous editions have welcomed teams from around the country, including London’s Camden Clog and the Lancashire Wallopers. The event has been organised by the Oakendale clog dancing team from Rossendale with support from Ribble Valley Borough Council and Clitheroe Castle Museum.

Clog Dancing Around Clitheroe

One of the nicest things about ClogFest is that it isn’t tucked away inside a single venue.

The celebrations spread through some of Clitheroe’s best-known locations, with activities centred around Clitheroe Castle, Clitheroe Market and Holmes Mill.

That means you can make a day of it: watch a few performances, explore the town centre, stop for lunch or coffee, browse the independent shops and then follow the sound of the music to the next group of dancers.

And with Clitheroe Castle sitting above the town, there are few better backdrops for a celebration of Lancashire tradition.

A Celebration of Lancashire Heritage

There’s something particularly fitting about seeing clog dancing in Clitheroe.

Although today it’s performed as a folk tradition, clog dancing developed alongside the working communities of northern England. Events such as ClogFest keep those traditions visible and, importantly, introduce them to a new generation.

The dancers themselves also make the case that clog dancing isn’t simply about looking backwards. Following a previous Clitheroe event, organiser Rachel O’Neill highlighted the social, physical and cultural benefits of dancing, as well as the importance of keeping the tradition alive.

Seeing dozens of dancers performing together is also quite a spectacle. If you’ve never watched traditional clog dancing close up before, the speed, precision and sheer amount of sound produced by a pair of wooden-soled clogs can be surprising.

Make a Weekend of It in the Ribble Valley

If you’re travelling into Clitheroe for ClogFest, it’s worth allowing some extra time to explore.

Clitheroe makes an excellent base for discovering the Ribble Valley, whether that means visiting the castle and museum, exploring the town’s independent shops or heading into the surrounding countryside.

The town also has a thriving food and drink scene, so there are plenty of places to stop for breakfast, lunch, dinner or simply a coffee between performances.

For visitors coming from further afield, staying overnight also gives you the chance to turn ClogFest into a full Ribble Valley weekend.

ClogFest 2026 – At a Glance

When: Saturday 12 & Sunday 13 September 2026
Where: Clitheroe, Lancashire
Main locations: Clitheroe Castle, Clitheroe Market and Holmes Mill
What to expect: Clog dancing performances, a Day of Dance, traditional music, professional clog-making demonstrations and the Lancashire & Cheshire Clog Dancing Competitions.

Put on Your Dancing Shoes

Clitheroe has a knack for bringing people together for events that fill the town with atmosphere, and ClogFest promises to be one of the more unusual dates in the 2026 calendar.

It’s colourful, energetic and unmistakably northern – and you don’t need to know anything about folk dancing to enjoy it.

So if you’re looking for something different to do in the Ribble Valley this September, head into Clitheroe and follow the sound of the clogs.

Clitheroe ClogFest takes place on 12–13 September 2026.