British & International Federation of Festivals

British & International Federation of Festivals BIFF enables participation in the amateur performing arts for Music, Dance and Speech.

We are delighted to announce that North East Piano Festival now has full BIFF membership!This festival has been establis...
18/06/2026

We are delighted to announce that North East Piano Festival now has full BIFF membership!

This festival has been established to serve young pianists across Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland, Durham, Sunderland and the wider North East region. It aims to provide a high-quality educational performance platform within a supportive and professionally adjudicated environment.

The festival welcomes pianists from preparatory level through to advanced performers working at Grade 8 standard and beyond. Whether participating for the first time or presenting a more substantial repertoire, all competitors are encouraged to approach the platform with confidence, musical curiosity and a spirit of excellence.

Here is our next post about the history of the festival movement!The first recorded festival was the Workington Musical ...
17/06/2026

Here is our next post about the history of the festival movement!

The first recorded festival was the Workington Musical Festival in Cumbria, which is still a Federation festival member to this day. It was originally organised by William Griffiths of Aberavon who had purchased a tinplate works near Workington in 1869. William brought with him families from South Wales and began a band, then a male voice choir and then finally a whole festival of music!

In 1882, John Curwen began the Stratford & East London Music Festival, which is another festival which still flourishes to this day.

Check back next week for more BIFF history!

It's time to introduce the final Chair of the Adjudicator's Council, Rebecca Vines!Rebecca is passionate about inclusivi...
16/06/2026

It's time to introduce the final Chair of the Adjudicator's Council, Rebecca Vines!

Rebecca is passionate about inclusivity and diversity in the Arts, spending her free time ‘making things happen’ for people who would otherwise have no agency within the creative sector. She feels that the Adjudicators Council offers a unique forum through which to regulate and empower adjudicators to be the best possible ambassadors and advocates for our movement.

A huge thank-you to our incredible Chairs for all their hard work!

This week's is Nuneaton Festival of Arts!The festival is held every year in and around Nuneaton, and is open to all ag...
15/06/2026

This week's is Nuneaton Festival of Arts!

The festival is held every year in and around Nuneaton, and is open to all ages, children and adults, all cultures and abilities from anywhere in the UK. Entries are welcomed from individuals, groups, and schools, and classes can be non-competitive or competitive. All classes are adjudicated and all entrants receive a comment sheet from the adjudicator.

The performing arts include the piano, stage dancing, speech and drama, vocal and woodwind, strings and brass sections. Performance days are held during April and May, where entrants perform, are adjudicated and awards presented to winners of the competitive classes.

We have nearly 250 member festivals across the UK and abroad, and together they provide millions of performance opportun...
12/06/2026

We have nearly 250 member festivals across the UK and abroad, and together they provide millions of performance opportunities for children, young people and adults.

We love it when our festivals come together to share ideas, give guidance, and focus on delivering the best possible experience for participants — whether that's on video call, by email, or at our in-person events.

Do you run a festival's social media? Why not find another BIFF festival on the platform, check out their profile, and give them a follow!

Did you know that we have a news page?You can find it on the BIFF Website, under 'NEWS & EVENTS'.Members can also share ...
11/06/2026

Did you know that we have a news page?

You can find it on the BIFF Website, under 'NEWS & EVENTS'.

Members can also share their news with us to publish. Do you run a festival with a special anniversary coming up? Or are you an adjudicator who is about to retire? Did something fantastic happen at a festival you recently attended?

Let us know by emailing us at [email protected], putting 'News' in the subject line. Please make sure you have permission from the photographer and subject(s) before sending us any photographs.

Welcome to the first in a series of posts about the history of the festival movement!The Federation officially formed in...
10/06/2026

Welcome to the first in a series of posts about the history of the festival movement!

The Federation officially formed in 1921 but the history of the festival movement goes back much further. There are records of amateur performing arts festivals taking place across the UK as early as 1872.

The Federation has had support of many famous names such as Sir Edward Elgar, Sir Adrian Boult, Gustav Holst, Sir Granville Bantock, and Cecil Armstrong Gibbs who all helped to promote the festival movement.

Next week, we'll post about our very first festivals — some of which are still around today!

This week's is Ibstock Novice & Open Dance Festival!The festival was established in 2018 by Shaw Festivals, to introdu...
08/06/2026

This week's is Ibstock Novice & Open Dance Festival!

The festival was established in 2018 by Shaw Festivals, to introduce a brand-new opportunity for those dancers who are just starting out into the festival world.

Perfect for beginners, the festival caters for solos, duets and trios for ages 3 to 19 in classical and cabaret styles of dance from Ballet and Contemporary to Acro and Tap.

This is a fun, relaxed and friendly festival to encourage new starters to believe in their own potential and help boost their confidence.

08/06/2026

Exciting News!!

Bradley Youth Festival 2027 Syllabus coming soon!!

Do you post as a BIFF festival, adjudicator, or festival participant?We are now inviting our followers to add us as coll...
05/06/2026

Do you post as a BIFF festival, adjudicator, or festival participant?

We are now inviting our followers to add us as collaborators, meaning that your post will be shown to our community — allowing more people to celebrate your fantastic achievements!

You can do this by adding us as a collaborator. This will then send us an invite to accept!

Address

Festivals House
Macclesfield
SK116UD

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+441625428297

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