Countdown begins for Headland Folk Fest Hartlepool's first event
Organisers of a new folk festival in Hartlepool are gearing up for their first event of the year.
Headland Folk Fest Hartlepool is hosting its first event of 2026 from 7pm on Saturday, March 14, ahead of St Patrick’s Day.
This is the festival’s debut event after organisers of the Hartlepool Folk Festival announced they were leaving town after 10 years last October.
Event director Becky Seal-Smith said: “At the moment, I’m feeling a mixture of excitement and terror. I haven't actually met myself coming back yet, but there's still time.
"We so want everything to go well and for everyone to have an enjoyable night.
"Plus, I'm actually performing on stage at the Headland Club during the event, along with some of the committee members.
"We're having a great time rehearsing and the craic is there, so hopefully that will come over on the night.”
The St Patrick’s Day pub crawl will feature a range of Irish and traditional folk bands including Roisin Ban, Molly and the Merry Men, Middlesbrough Folk Group, Auckland Shanty Singers, Celtic Folk Trio, Bishop Auckland Sea Shanty Group and Golden Plough.
Becky said: “Each band will be based at one venue and will repeat their performances over the evening. The idea being that you watch one band, then move on to the next, stopping for supper along the way.”
Tickets cost £13 and include supper, and can be bought online at https://www.culturehartlepool.com/events/headland-folk-presents-st-patricks-day-pub-crawl/.
Buses will also be running from the Headland back to the town centre at 11.30pm and midnight, costing £2 per person.