THOUSANDS of people are set to flock to the Wimborne Minster Folk Festival this weekend.

The popular annual celebration of all things folk will see music, dancing, comedy, workshops and more take place across town.

Here's your guide to what's on, when and where, plus some new events not to miss this year.

When is it?

The festival takes place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. It kicks off with music in the Square between 6.30pm and 9pm on Friday.

Is it free?

There's lots going on that will be free but you'll need to pay to see some of the acts listed below. Weekend, day and camping tickets are on sale now and your ticket will grant you access to official festival concerts and ceilidhs. For tickets visit https://wimbornefolk.co.uk/Tickets.php

Who's playing this year?

There will be something for everyone on offer with more than 100 musical acts set to perform at the event. Here are some of the main acts you'll need to buy tickets to see:

  • Kathryn Roberts and Sean Lakeman will be performing in the main hall of the Allendale Centre on Sunday night between 9pm and 10pm.

  • Somerset folk singer songwriter Ange Hardy will be playing in The Minster between 9.30pm and 10.15pm on Saturday night.

  • Pan Celtic quintet The Outside Track play The Allendale Centre on Saturday between 10pm and 11pm.

  • On Friday night, catch Greg Russell and Ciaran Algar in the Quarter Jack Suite of the Allendale Centre between 10pm and 11pm.

  • Saturday afternoon will see 2017 BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award Winners Josie Duncan and Pablo Lafuente make an appearance in the Quarter Jack Suite between 2pm and 3pm.

Who else is playing?

Take your pick from the likes of the Gerry Colvin Band, Polly Morris Band and The Teacups. Dorset-based acts include Black Sheep, The Dorset Wrecks, Dorset Youth Marching Band, Murphy’s Lore and Wikkaman.

Where can I see free concerts?

Allendale House, The Olive Branch, The Coach and Horses, Green Man, Minster Arms and East Street are just some of the places to go for free music.

When is the procession?

The festival procession will take place through the town on Saturday at 2.30pm. This year it will be led by civic dignitaries for the first time.

What's new for this year?

Eight monks from the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery are attending and will perform alongside Dorset morris dancers during the procession. The monks will also be creating an image of a Buddha's palace out of millions of grains of coloured sand at the Priests's House Museum between Wednesday and Sunday before it is destroyed and scattered into the River Allen by the library.

There will also be a new microbrewery in the High Street car park.

What's going on for families?

There will be lots for families to do at the Allendale Centre and at Willow Walk by Waitrose. Other activities include Punch and Judy shows, games, music workshops, family story time, a Family Ceilidh on Sunday in the Allendale Centre Main Hall between 12pm and 1.30pm with a maypole on the Minster Green on Sunday between 2pm and 3pm. The Minster Green Fair also takes place on Saturday between 10am and 4pm.

How can I get there?

MoreBus will be running regular bus services to Wimborne from Poole and Bournemouth. Look out for routes 3, 4 and 13. Allenbourn School will have daytime parking on their school fields for £5 per vehicle on Saturday & Sunday only, with no overnight parking. While Meadows Camping will offer all day parking for £3 per vehicle per day, which is available for non-camping visitors. The High Street car park will be closed from 6pm Thursday while the Hanham Road South Car Park will not be used as a public car park during the festival.