It's time to get ready for the Dereham Blues Festival following the announcement of its full programme. 

The event will kick off on Wednesday, July 5 at The Dereham Memorial Hall with the two-time Grammy-nominated Danielle Nicole and her band, with support from local rising star Ross Stewart - with tickets still on sale. 

From July 6 and for the following four days, Dereham will be buzzing with the sound of 50 blues acts playing in 15 venues around the town centre.

Dereham Times: People enjoying the Dereham Blues Festival People enjoying the Dereham Blues Festival (Image: Archant 2022)

There will also be an open-air busking event taking place on Saturday, July 8 in the Ellenor Fenn garden. This event in the festival’s programme is a relaxed show featuring several acoustic blues acts. 

Harry Collins, the festival chairman, said, “It’s wonderful to be back again this year with 
as always, a large, rich, diverse blues festival. 

Dereham Times: Dereham Blues Festival 2014Dereham Blues Festival 2014 (Image: © Archant Norfolk 2014)

“It really is the town’s festival and over the second weekend in July, the festival truly puts Dereham at the heart of the region.

"Thanks to all in the town, the sponsors, the bands and the venues who all combine to make this unique free-to-attend festival come alive.”

The 15 other venues will include bars, pubs, restaurants, sports clubs dotted all around Dereham town centre. They will be filled with a rich variety of blues from blues rock acts to more introspective versions of the genre.

Entry to each of the venues is all free, so come and support the local businesses and take in some of the best blues music that the region and further afield has to offer. 

The Dereham Blues Festival will also be part of Dereham Day on May 13, where members of the Norfolk Blues Society will be providing entertainment.

To find out which band or musician is playing where, head to the festival’s website.