Peterborough's Best Ceilidh Bands for Hire
Looking for ceilidh bands Peterborough has to offer?
We hand-pick the finest musicians who regularly travel to Peterborough and will send you quotes directly. Every band on this page performs at weddings and events across the UK and will quote with travel to your Peterborough venue included.
Peterborough couples have enquired about ceilidh bands for events at Elton Hall and Gardens, Burghley House near Stamford and Holmewood Hall, all venues with the space a ceilidh dance floor needs. A ceilidh works particularly well for barn and marquee weddings in the nearby countryside.
Across FixTheMusic, couples planning a ceilidh book around 10 months ahead and budget a median of £1,400 for a band including a caller.
Read our ceilidh band wedding guide for more on what to expect.
Popular ceilidh bands in Peterborough
How it works
Featured Ceilidh Bands for Hire in Peterborough
Every ceilidh band Peterborough couples see below has been vetted by our team and has a proven track record at local weddings.
High Step Ceilidh
£850 - £3,000 | 7 bookings | 5 reviews
High Step Ceilidh offers a flexible range of lineups from a stripped-back trio up to a full ceilidh-and-covers band, so you can scale the lineup to match your budget and venue size. Their lower minimum price makes them a practical choice for couples keeping costs down, and their reviews highlight the caller's ability to get first-timers dancing confidently within minutes.
Ceilidh It Up
£1,200 - £4,000 | 8 reviews
Ceilidh It Up offers lineups from a 3-piece up to a 7-piece with caller, giving you room to scale up for a larger wedding or keep things intimate for a smaller gathering. Their reviews highlight the energy of the caller and the band's ability to get first-time ceilidh dancers involved quickly. A good option if you want flexibility on lineup size.
Ceilidh Twist
£1,500 - £2,000 | 147 bookings | 32 reviews
The most-booked ceilidh band on FixTheMusic with 147 confirmed bookings. Ceilidh Twist performs traditional Scottish ceilidh sets followed by a pop and rock party set, and is a regular choice for Peterborough weddings. Reviews consistently praise the caller's ability to get every guest on the floor, the make-or-break factor for a ceilidh where most guests have never done the dances before.
Keep Calm and Ceilidh
£823 avg | 91 bookings | 19 reviews
One of the best-value ceilidh bands on the platform with 91 confirmed bookings. Keep Calm and Ceilidh focuses on traditional Scottish and Irish ceilidh with a caller who walks guests through every dance. Their lower average price point makes them a strong option for Peterborough couples who want an authentic ceilidh without the premium of a larger lineup.
Willow Ceilidh Band
£1,000 - £1,500 | 93 bookings | 22 reviews
A traditional ceilidh band with 93 confirmed bookings and 22 reviews. Willow focuses on authentic ceilidh dancing with an experienced caller, and their mid-range pricing makes them a popular choice for Peterborough weddings. Reviews mention the band's patience with inexperienced dancers and the caller's clear walk-throughs of each dance.
Paragon Ceilidh Band
£1,440 avg | 73 bookings | 16 reviews
A ceilidh-and-covers act with 73 confirmed bookings. Paragon blends a traditional dance set with a party set to finish the night, a format that works well for Peterborough weddings where you want both the ceilidh and a full dancefloor afterwards. Their reviews mention the caller's ability to get reluctant dancers involved.
Ramnee Ceilidh Band
£1,850 avg | 49 bookings | 12 reviews
A ceilidh-and-covers band with 49 confirmed bookings. Ramnee sits at the premium end of the ceilidh market, with a larger lineup and a full show that includes ceilidh sets, covers and the option of a DJ. Suitable for bigger Peterborough weddings where a full evening of entertainment matters and the budget can stretch to a fuller package.
Ceilidh Rising
£1,215 avg | 7 bookings | 5 reviews
A traditional ceilidh band with a mid-range price point that suits couples who want the ceilidh experience without stretching to a larger lineup. Ceilidh Rising's reviews highlight the caller's energy and the band's tight musicianship. A solid mid-tier option for Peterborough events.
Peterborough Ceilidh Venues
The Peterborough area has a strong barn and rural-venue scene that suits ceilidh dancing well. Based on our enquiries and confirmed bookings, the most active venues include:
- Sissons Barn (Peakirk) — our most-enquired Peterborough venue with 7 enquiries and 2 confirmed bookings. A converted barn with the open floor space ceilidh formations need. One reviewer told us their band were "the best band they've heard at a wedding" here.
- Holmewood Hall — 7 enquiries and 2 confirmed bookings. A venue with large grounds that works well for marquee weddings. PYT performed here and the bride called it "the best day of my life."
- Holywell Hall (Stamford) — 5 enquiries and 2 confirmed bookings including Aptitude at £3,900.
- Elton Hall and Gardens — a historic house with grounds large enough for a 500-person outdoor event. Three enquiries so far.
- Burghley House (Stamford) — one of England's grandest Elizabethan houses, with confirmed wedding bookings through FixTheMusic.
- The Nest Glamping (Stamford) — a lakeside glamping venue for outdoor celebrations.
Most of these venues have barn or marquee spaces that give you the 25-30 person dance floor a ceilidh needs. If you're unsure whether your venue has enough space, mention it in your enquiry and the bands will advise.
Musical Styles Covered by Our Peterborough Ceilidh Bands
The ceilidh bands we list cover everything from traditional Scottish and Irish lineups (fiddle, accordion, flute, tin whistle, bodhrán) to modern ceilidh-and-covers bands that add drums, electric guitar and vocals. A growing number also offer a DJ set between or after the live ceilidh sets, which works well for Peterborough weddings where the party runs late.
Barn dances — the old-time American cousin of the ceilidh — have become popular for rustic Cambridgeshire weddings, and several bands on this page offer both. If you're unsure whether a traditional ceilidh or a ceilidh-and-covers band suits your Peterborough event, the bands will advise when they send their quotes.
How Much Does a Ceilidh Band in Peterborough Cost to Hire?
Based on 480 confirmed ceilidh bookings on FixTheMusic, couples pay a median of £1,400 for a ceilidh band including a caller. Solo ceilidh musicians start at around £325. A 4-piece ceilidh band typically costs £1,600 or more, depending on travel distance.
Travel to your Peterborough venue is included in the quote, so you can compare bands by price, reviews and video without hidden extras.
Submitting an enquiry is free, and you'll receive bespoke quotes from available bands so you can compare by price, reviews and video.
Our musicians carry public liability insurance and PAT-tested equipment.
See Peterborough's Ceilidh Bands in Action
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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FAQ About Hiring a Ceilidh Band in Peterborough
How much does a ceilidh band cost for a Peterborough wedding?
The median price across our 480 confirmed ceilidh bookings on FixTheMusic is £1,400 including a caller. Because ceilidh bands travel to Peterborough from outside the area, expect a small travel supplement within the quote. Solo ceilidh musicians start at around £325.
How far in advance should I book a ceilidh band in Peterborough?
Couples booking a ceilidh on FixTheMusic book an average of 10 months ahead. Peterborough-area venues like Elton Hall, Burghley House and Holmewood Hall get booked early for summer Saturdays, so securing your band alongside the venue is a good idea. Submit an enquiry as soon as you have a date.
Do ceilidh bands perform at Burns Night events in Peterborough?
Yes. We've had enquiries for Burns Night ceilidhs in the Peterborough area, including corporate celebrations. January is a quieter time for weddings but a popular time for ceilidh events, so bands are often available. If you're planning a Burns Night ceilidh, mention it in your enquiry — bands can include Burns-specific songs like Auld Lang Syne and Loch Lomond alongside the traditional dances.
Do they perform pop & rock covers like a standard wedding band do?
About half of ceilidh bands just perform the traditional Scottish and Celtic dances, but some also perform pop & rock covers. These bands are often referred to as "Ceilidh and Covers Bands". They tend to perform a set of traditional music followed by a pop & rock party set to finish the night off.
Most of my guests aren't experienced ceilidh dancers. Will the ceilidh band teach my guests the dances?
Yes! Nearly all ceilidh bands feature a "caller" who will guide your guests through the moves. The band will usually take a few minutes to explain the dances, followed by the actual performance. The caller explaining the dances is a really fun and interactive part of the entertainment, and of course, it means that less experienced guests can take to the dance floor!
Do ceilidh bands bring their own equipment?
Ceilidh bands will bring all of their own instruments, and sometimes their own PA system and lighting. However, this is not always the case, so you may need to provide a PA system and lighting based on their specifications. Most bands usually charge less if they require the client to provide some equipment.
Which musical instruments do ceilidh bands consist of?
There is a huge amount of variety in the instrumentation of ceilidh bands. Most bands will include a violin (fiddle), an acoustic guitar and a drum kit to set the rhythm. However, several other instruments are often added, including accordion, piano or keyboard, bagpipes, flute or tin whistle and bass guitar.
How much space does ceilidh dancing require?
The band itself will require about 3m by 5m area, but ceilidh dancing takes up a lot of space — much more than a typical disco dance floor, so it's best to clear away tables and chairs to provide the maximum space available.
Do ceilidh bands take requests?
There are only a handful of ceilidh dances, and bands will know their repertoire to a very high standard. It's best to leave the set list to the band's own discretion. For ceilidh and covers bands, they may be able to accommodate some requests in their covers set.
Can I see the ceilidh band performing live before I book?
In general, ceilidh bands perform at private events like weddings and parties, so it can be difficult to see them performing live before booking. Sometimes, ceilidh bands perform at public events, so they will let you know about this so that you can attend.
How long does a ceilidh last?
Ceilidhs usually last about 2.5 hours. There will be breaks in between the dancing, and each dance will be taught to you by the caller to begin with. You don't have to take part in every ceilidh dance, but of course we'd recommend doing so if you have enough energy!
How many people do you need for a ceilidh?
Ceilidh dancing usually requires about 25-30 guests to be on the dance floor simultaneously, so we would recommend that your wedding or party should have about 50-60 guests in attendance, as some guests won't want to dance, or only take part in a few dances.
Can ceilidh bands perform outdoors?
In general, ceilidh bands perform indoors, next to the dance floor at your wedding venue. However, ceilidh bands can play outdoors, provided that they have cover from the elements (for example, a marquee) and access to a safe power supply. Even if the weather is good, ceilidh bands will need cover from direct sunlight as this can damage their musical instruments.
Can we combine a ceilidh with a DJ for our evening reception?
Yes, and many couples do. A common format is a 2-hour ceilidh with a caller for the main dancing, followed by a DJ set to keep the party going until midnight. Several bands on this page offer a combined ceilidh-and-DJ package, so you don't need to book a separate DJ. The band typically plays their ceilidh sets live, then switches to a curated playlist or DJ setup during the breaks and after their final set.
If you want a ceilidh for the afternoon drinks reception and a separate covers band or DJ for the evening, mention this when enquiring. Some bands offer multiple lineups or can recommend a DJ they regularly work with. Booking both elements through one band is usually cheaper than hiring a ceilidh band and a DJ separately.
What's the difference between a ceilidh and a barn dance, and which suits a Peterborough wedding?
The two are closely related (both involve a caller guiding guests through group dances) but a ceilidh draws on Scottish and Irish traditions (think The Gay Gordons, Strip the Willow, The Dashing White Sergeant), while a barn dance uses English and American folk tunes with simpler, more relaxed formations. If most of your guests have never done either, a barn dance is slightly easier to pick up, but a ceilidh has more energy and is the more popular choice for weddings.
Several bands on this page offer both formats, so you can decide based on the mood you want. For a Peterborough barn venue like Sissons Barn or Holywell Hall, either works well. The key is having enough floor space for 25-30 dancers at once. When enquiring, tell the band what kind of atmosphere you're after and they'll advise which format fits best.
Many of our ceilidh bands also cover neighbouring areas including Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire, Suffolk and Hertfordshire. For a wider look at the best ceilidh bands available across the country, see our guide to the best ceilidh bands in the UK.
Why people love FixTheMusic
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 🙌
I just wanted to pop a note over to say how amazing the band and DJ were
Hi James, I just wanted to pop a note over to say how amazing the band and DJ were. Everyone absolutely loved them and the band really made the night! So much fun. Please pass on my thanks and feedback to the band... we’d have them back in a heartbeat! Thank you for all your help in the arrangements - it went seamlessly. Literally in the office all day, all I’ve heard is how amazing the band were - the guys smashed it! Hannah.
Booked ROAMEO
Fabulous!
Fabulous! The guys were extremely helpful from first contact and fulfilled our every request down to the smallest detail. Professional throughout the ceremony, and impeccable with the music we requested! Our choice of sax was repaid by their skill. I recommend them to everyone. Thank you for making our wedding an unforgettable celebration!
The Old School 90s Band were simply brilliant...
The Old School 90s Band were simply brilliant. They recently played at our wedding and were the best band a couple could ask for. From the moment they were booked, Thom was pleasant, courteous and above all fun. On the day they set up quickly and seamlessly with no fuss at all. Then the set, it was incredible. The dance floor was full throughout and everybody complimented that this was the best band they’d heard at a wedding. Thank you so much to Thom, Alice, Nana, Connor, Kaveh and Dan...you were amazing. Love, Max & Lulu.