Rainford Junction Bluegrass and Old Time Festival
A family festival event, based on youth, inclusivity and community.
Thursday 2nd to Sunday 5th July 2026
We're looking for the best young bluegrass and old time musicians in the UK and we wanna to give 'em money!
40% of ticket sales at Rainford Junction are go to a program funding youngsters on their journey through bluegrass and old time music. If you're under 21 all you have to do is apply for sponsorship and, if you're lucky, you get to appear with our great scratch band leaders at our Saturday Night Gala! Be sure to apply early, places are going fast and only 20 of the very best get to appear on stage.
All youngsters under 21 are entitled to free festival access and those under 16 also get to bring a chaperone for free! All youngsters may choose to be housed in our Scratch Band Village, a safeguarded welcoming community arranged around a communal picking area.
In search of that jelly-quivering high lonesome sound...
Saturday Night Gala
Five of the finest young bluegrass and old time musicians in the UK lead five different scratch bands made up of twenty of the most promising youngsters below the age of 21. It's unique, it's a first and it's the biggest single event in the UK bluegrass and old time calendar.
The Battle of The Sessions
Madness, mayhem, chaos and blisteringly fast bluegrass! It's back by popular demand! Five of the best sessions from around the UK get to battle it out for a slice of that UK Bluegrass Sessions Pork Pie Prize. All topped off by a set from one of the UK's bluegrass glitterati.
Our festival site is arranged in small communities, each with public picking areas where everyone is welcome to join. That's a lot of music, in many places and all going on at the same time! Click on the name to find out more!
A Festival of Festivals
New to Rainford Junction! Fiddler extraordinaire, Paco Gonzalez will be hosting out very own Old Time Community! Attended by members from many of the old time sessions in the north and welcoming to aspiring old time musicians of all levels and abilities! We wish we could spend the entire weekend in this community!
Old Time Festival
The Cotton Pickers are a group of elder players who have been picking up and down the hollows and plains of Cheshire for the best part of 20 years. If you're looking for a sing-along in a nice friendly atmosphere be sure to spend some time with these guys, you'll not be disappointed!
Cotton Pickers
As well as headlining our Friday Night jamboree some of the best bluegrass and old time sessions from all over the UK will be creating their own special community environment. Guaranteed music for the entire weekend and always open to newcomers. Man, what we'd give to spend the entire weekend picking with these guys!
Session Village
Three concentric circles, sit on the outside to watch or play along and gravitate to the inner sanctum if you're up for it! The Big Session starts at 18:00 on the Thursday and session leaders revolve every two hours! Everyone welcome, regardless of ability!