The Wimborne Minster Folk Festival returns this weekend.

Here's our essential guide to what's happening, where, parking, camping and more.

When is it?

It starts on Friday night and runs until Sunday evening with activities promised for all ages.

What happens today?

There will be music in the Square from 6pm on Friday and an opening concert at the Allendale Centre, featuring festival favourites Two Coats Colder with support from Dorset’s Ninebarrow.

Then what?

During the day on Saturday and Sunday there will be dance groups performing from across the UK and Europe. Dance spots include the Cornmarket, the Royal British Legion, Wimborne Model Town and the Green Man.

There will be lots of live music, workshops on everything from beatboxing to guitar tuning at venues including the British Legion, Wimborne Video Club and Allendale House.

There will be free performing arts on the stage in the Square from 12pm on Sunday. 

There's even a picnic to celebrate the Queen's 90th birthday on the Minster Green on Sunday from 2pm. There will be tea, a birthday cake and even a guest appearance from Wimborne's very own Queen!

Who's performing?

Loads of people! Expect to hear everything from blues to folk and rock.

Acts on the bill include Glenn and The Creeks, Mawkin, Johnny Coppin & Mike Silver, Tinderbox, Louise Anderson, Black Water County, Pete Christie, Fearne, The Roaring Trowmen, Mitchell and Vincent, Phil King, Wikkaman, Nick Dow and Will McNicol and Luke Selby to name but a few.

What are the venues?

Headliners will perform at The Allendale Centre but other venues include Wimborne Minster, the Stage in The Square, Garden Stage at The Olive Branch and Willow Walk Youth Music Stage. 

When's the procession?

The dancers will strut their stuff through the town for the traditional procession at 2.30pm on Saturday, led by Mayor Cllr Sue Cook, the Wimborne Militia and the Ringwood Pipe Band.

What about for kids?

There will be lots for children and families to do outside the Allendale Centre and on Willow Walk, including storytelling, workshops, puppet shows, rides, face painting and even an appearance from Captain Jack Sparrow impersonator, Jax Parrow.

How much are tickets?

Weekend passes are £50 with tickets for the various concerts ranging from £5 to £18. Little ones aged from 0 to four-years-old are free, children aged five to 12-years are half price. Standard ticket prices start for those aged 13 and over.

Some of the concerts cost anything from £5 to £18 but most of them are free entry. 

Tickets for all festival concerts are on sale at Wimborne Tourist Information Centre and at wimbornefolk.co.uk. You can also call 01202 886116

Is there camping?

Yes, the official campsite is Meadows Camping which is a ten minute walk from the town centre over Julian's bridge.

Camping is £7 per person per night when booked in advance or £8 per person per night on the gate. Under 10's are free.

The campsite has toilets, showers and 24-hour security. Entry to the campsite is by camping wristband only, which is available through the campsite website.

Access to and from the town on foot is over Julian's bridge, which has no footpath, so visitors are urged to take care when crossing at all times.

Where can I park?

As well as the town's car parks, Meadows Camping offer all day parking for £3 per day, which is available for non-camping visitors.

Any road closures?

The following roads will be closed from 6pm on Friday to 5pm on Sunday:  East Borough, The Square, High Street, Church Street, West Row, Corn Market, Cook Row.

The following roads will be closed from 1.30pm to 3.30pm on Saturday during the procession: Park Lane, East Street for the procession.

The alternative route for diverted traffic will be via Rowlands Hill and Hanham Road (and via Park Lane and East Street except during the procession on Saturday.

I don't drive. How can I get there?

Regular bus services will be running to and from Wimborne during the folk festival from Poole and Bournemouth. Bus services are operated by More Buses and the routes are the 4 and 13. Organisers have promised there will be more services this year after revellers faced hours waiting for buses and taxis in 2015. 

Where can I get a programme?

The official programme is also now available to buy from the TIC and the Allendale Centre