About Our Devon Ceilidh Bands
From village hall socials in the South Hams to wedding ceilidhs at venues across Exeter, Dartmoor and the Devon coast, our ceilidh bands travel throughout the county. Our musicians have performed at venues including Rockbeare Manor near Exeter, The Great Barn Devon and Rowe Hall in Plymouth.
Submit an enquiry to receive quotes directly from available ceilidh bands for your wedding, birthday party or event in Devon.
Popular ceilidh bands in Devon
How it works
How Much Does a Ceilidh Band in Devon Cost to Hire?
Recent quotes we have provided for ceilidh bands in Devon range from around £1,000 for a ceilidh at a village hall in Exeter to £2,550 for a wedding ceilidh at a venue in Salcombe.
The price depends on the size of the band, whether they are also providing covers or a DJ set, and how far they need to travel to reach your venue.
A typical format for a Devon wedding is two hours of called ceilidh dancing followed by a covers set or DJ to close the evening. Bands that combine ceilidh with covers and DJ will cost more than a band performing ceilidh only, but it means you get the full evening's entertainment from a single booking without needing to hire a separate DJ.
Every quote includes a caller who walks your guests through each dance before the music starts. All ceilidh bands on FixTheMusic include a caller as standard, so you don't need to budget for this separately.
Submit an enquiry to receive quotes directly from available ceilidh bands. You can discuss details such as dress code, song requests, PA hire, lighting and parking with each band before deciding who to book.
What Kind of Events Do Our Ceilidh Bands Play in Devon?
Our ceilidh bands perform at weddings, birthday parties and village hall socials across Devon. Recent enquiries on FixTheMusic include a wedding ceilidh at Rockbeare Manor near Exeter, a 40th birthday ceilidh at the Double Locks Hotel by the Exeter Canal and a wedding ceilidh at Rowe Hall in Plymouth.
Many couples booking a ceilidh for their Devon wedding ask for the band to also provide covers and a DJ set for the latter part of the evening. A popular format is two hours of called ceilidh dancing followed by an hour of covers or DJ music to finish the night. Some bands also offer accordion and fiddle music for the ceremony and drinks reception before the ceilidh begins.
Booking a ceilidh band based in the South West will keep travel costs down. Harvest Moon Ceilidh Band regularly performs at weddings and events across Devon and is one of our most-booked ceilidh acts.
Watch our Devon ceilidh bands live
At FixTheMusic, we list top-quality ceilidh bands that have been selected by invitation only.
When you submit an enquiry, you'll receive quotes directly from available bands so you can compare them by watching their videos, reading their reviews and by asking them any questions you might have via our secure messaging system.
To get quotes from similar bands, submit an enquiry and receive bespoke offers for your event within hours.
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Why people love FixTheMusic
The dust has settled a bit and we wanted to reach out again to thank you for playing at our wedding...
Hi Sam and band, The dust has settled a bit and we wanted to reach out again to thank you for playing at our wedding. We can't thank you enough for being so accommodating with the music, and being there all day to entertain the guests. From everyone we've spoken to, they have all said how good the music was throughout the day! If there are any final things you need from us please do let us know, otherwise we hope to see you guys again at another event! Good luck and thank you again! Kris and Lorna.
Booked The Manhattans
They were amazing and had the party going from the first song!
Hi Joe, Please do pass on my thanks to the band last night. They were amazing and had the party going from the first song! Thanks for all of your help in arranging. I’ll definitely be recommending them and will have them in mind for any future events we do. Best regards, Lucy.
Booked The Legends Collective
We have had so many compliments on how good the band was...
We booked Mashup Kings for our wedding at Kingscote Barn and we are so glad we did! We spent ages looking through different bands online to find something more in line with our music tastes and we're so glad we found these guys. We have had so many compliments on how good the band was and we both absolutely loved it too. We wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to anyone thinking about booking them for their wedding - it will really make the evening. Thanks Benji & team 🙌
You were all amazing, please pass this on to each member of the band
Hi Mark, just wanted to say a massive thank you for playing at both of our events. You were all amazing, please pass this on to each member of the band who played too. Everyone we have spoken to, have all said how professional and great the band were! Thank you for doing the additional final song, that really put the cherry on top of the cake for us! Both singers were absolutely fantastic too. We would definitely consider for the future and would recommend to anyone. Thank you again, Jacob, Sue and Max.
Booked MOJO
What Musical Styles Do Our Devon Ceilidh Bands Perform?
Our ceilidh bands cover everything from traditional Scottish and Irish dance music to modern ceilidh-and-covers hybrid acts. A typical traditional lineup features fiddle, accordion, tin whistle and bodhran, playing jigs, reels, hornpipes, strathspeys and waltzes that your guests will recognise from classic dances like The Gay Gordons, Strip the Willow and The Dashing White Sergeant.
Several of our bands take a more contemporary approach, adding drums, electric guitar and vocals to perform pop and rock covers in the ceilidh style. These ceilidh and covers bands are a popular choice for weddings where you want called dancing earlier in the evening and a more conventional party set to finish the night.
Barn dances and American old-time dances are also growing in popularity, particularly for couples planning a rustic or countryside wedding in Devon. Alongside the dancing, our bands can cater to line dancing, northeastern rants and other folk-related forms such as Irish stepdance and set dancing.
For couples looking for folk music without the dancing, The Moorland Sons are a Devon-based folk and indie band with experience at weddings and events across the county.
FAQ About Ceilidh Bands in Devon
How much does a ceilidh band cost in Devon?
Recent quotes on FixTheMusic for ceilidh bands in Devon range from around £1,000 for a ceilidh at a village hall in Exeter to £2,550 for a wedding ceilidh at a venue in Salcombe. The price depends on the size of the band, whether they are also providing covers or a DJ set, and how far they need to travel.
How long does a ceilidh band perform for?
Most ceilidh bands perform two or three 45-minute sets with breaks in between. Ceilidh dancing is energetic for both musicians and guests, so the breaks are a natural part of the evening. A typical ceilidh runs for around two and a half hours including breaks.
What dances will the ceilidh band play?
Expect classics like The Gay Gordons, Strip the Willow, The Dashing White Sergeant, Cumberland Square Eight, the Canadian Barn Dance and the Military Two Step. The caller walks your guests through each one before the music starts, so nobody needs any prior experience.
Can the ceilidh band also play pop and rock covers?
Yes, many of our ceilidh bands also perform pop and rock covers alongside the traditional dancing. These are sometimes called "ceilidh and covers bands" and are a popular choice for Devon weddings where you want called dancing earlier in the evening and a party set to finish the night.
Do I need a caller for my ceilidh in Devon?
Yes, a caller is essential if your guests are not experienced ceilidh dancers. The caller walks everyone through each dance before the music starts, so complete beginners can join in straight away. One recent client in Exeter specifically noted that most of their guests had never done a ceilidh before, so the caller made all the difference. All ceilidh bands on FixTheMusic include a caller as standard.
Can we have a short ceilidh as part of a longer evening, rather than the whole night?
Yes. Several couples enquiring about ceilidh bands in Devon have asked for exactly this. One couple booking Ceilidh Twist for their wedding at Sharpham House in Totnes requested "a short ceilidh/barn dance with covers/DJ afterwards." Another at a 40th birthday at Boveys Down Farm near Honiton wanted acoustic acts in the afternoon, DJ and sax in the early evening, and a full band after dinner. Harvest Moon Ceilidh Band told a client at St Thomas Church Hall in Exeter they could do a one-hour ceilidh set from 7:30pm and were happy to "play things by ear on the day" to fit around other entertainment. If you want ceilidh as one element of a multi-part evening, mention this in your enquiry so bands can quote for a shorter set rather than their standard two-hour format.
Can our ceilidh band also provide a DJ set for the later part of the evening?
Yes, several ceilidh bands on FixTheMusic offer a DJ set after the ceilidh. Harvest Moon Ceilidh Band has two DJs within their lineup who can continue the evening with a DJ set after two one-hour ceilidh sets. They quoted a wedding at Huntsham Court near Tiverton at £1,037 for the ceilidh plus DJ set, and a wedding at Salcombe at £1,550 for two one-hour sets with ceilidh and covers plus optional Spotify playlist through their own PA. One couple enquiring about a ceilidh in Totnes asked for "ceilidh for an hour or so and then a DJ set or live music for a disco for a further hour or so." If you want the band to do both, mention it in your enquiry so they can quote for the combined package.
Can our ceilidh band also play during our ceremony and drinks reception?
Many of our ceilidh bands offer additional musicians for earlier in the day. A popular option for Devon weddings is an accordion and fiddle duo playing background music during the ceremony and drinks reception, with the full ceilidh band joining for the evening. This keeps the live music flowing throughout your day without needing to hire separate acts. Ask the band about this when you submit your enquiry.
What instruments do ceilidh bands use?
A typical ceilidh band includes fiddle, accordion or melodeon, acoustic guitar and bodhran. Many bands add tin whistle, flute, bagpipes or bass guitar. Modern ceilidh and covers bands may also bring electric guitar, drum kit and keyboards.
How much space do we need for ceilidh dancing?
The band needs roughly 3m by 5m for their setup, but ceilidh dancing itself takes up significantly more space than a typical disco dance floor. We recommend clearing away as many tables and chairs as possible to give your guests room to dance, particularly for popular Devon wedding venues where the ceilidh might share the room with a seated dinner.
Do ceilidh bands take song requests?
The ceilidh repertoire is a fixed set of traditional dances, so it's best to leave the dance set to the band's discretion. However, if you have booked a ceilidh and covers band, they can usually accommodate requests during the covers portion of the evening.
Can we see the ceilidh band live before booking?
Most ceilidh bands perform at private events, so it is not usually possible to see them live before booking. Some bands do play at public ceilidhs and folk festivals, so ask the band if they have any upcoming public performances you could attend.
How many guests do we need for a ceilidh?
Ceilidh dancing works best with at least 25 to 30 guests on the dance floor at once. We recommend a minimum guest count of around 50 to 60, since some guests will prefer to watch or only join in for a few dances.
Can ceilidh bands perform outdoors at our Devon venue?
Yes, ceilidh bands can perform outdoors provided they have cover from the elements (a marquee or canopy) and access to a safe power supply. Even in good weather, musicians need shade from direct sunlight as instruments can be damaged by prolonged heat exposure. This is worth bearing in mind for outdoor weddings at Devon venues with terrace or garden settings.
Do we need to provide equipment for the ceilidh band?
Most ceilidh bands bring their own instruments and PA system, but this is not always the case. If your venue has a PA system or sound limiter, let the band know when you enquire as this may affect their quote. Bands that do not need to bring their own PA will often charge less.
Can our ceilidh band learn a tune for our first dance?
Yes. While the ceilidh dance repertoire itself is a fixed set of traditional dances, most bands will happily learn a specific tune for your first dance. One couple who married at Middle Coombe Farm in Devon asked their band for "Josephine's Waltz" with Uillean pipes, and Harvest Moon Ceilidh Band learned a brand new song for a couple's first dance at their wedding.
You can also read our complete guide to hiring a ceilidh band for your wedding.