Hire a Ceilidh Band in Surrey
FixTheMusic has provided ceilidh bands for events in Surrey since 2015. Our bands have performed at Wotton House in Dorking, Northbrook Park in Farnham, Gildings Barns in Newdigate, The Mill at Elstead, Burford Bridge Hotel in Dorking and Farnham Castle, among others.
Ceilidh Twist (152 bookings, 34 reviews), Paragon Ceilidh Band (76 bookings, 17 reviews) and Ramnee Ceilidh Band (52 bookings, 12 reviews) all perform regularly in Surrey. Willow Ceilidh Band has a confirmed booking at Hookhouse Farm in Outwood.
Most Surrey couples want a ceilidh and covers combo for the evening, with a DJ set between live sets. The median budget for Surrey ceilidh enquiries is £1,500.
Submit an enquiry and receive quotes directly from available bands.
Popular ceilidh bands in Surrey
How it works
What Surrey Couples Are Looking For
Every Surrey ceilidh enquiry is different, but the requests we receive share common themes: couples want a ceilidh and covers combo for the evening, they want a DJ set between live performances and they often have a Scottish or Irish connection. Here is what real couples have written to us:
"I am a wedding planner looking for a Ceilidh Band that also turns into a cover band for a marquee wedding on 1st June in Guildford, Surrey."
"We are looking at booking a ceilidh band for our wedding which is at Gildings Barns, Surrey. We are ideally looking for an acoustic set during the reception and canapés. We would then like two sets in the evening: one as a ceilidh and the other as a covers set with a DJ set in between."
"I'm a massive Ceilidh fan. My grandfather was in a Ceilidh band in Gloucestershire when I was young. Every family party was always a Ceilidh. My partner less so, but I've managed to persuade her!" — wedding at Hookhouse Farm, Outwood
For a full walkthrough of the booking process, take a look at our definitive guide to booking a ceilidh band.
How Much Does a Ceilidh Band in Surrey Cost to Hire?
Prices vary according to the size of the band, how many sets they play and how far they have to travel. Our system ensures that local Surrey ceilidh bands are notified first to minimise travel costs, so you can be sure you're getting the best price.
Ceilidh soloists on FixTheMusic generally start at £325. The median budget couples enter for ceilidh bands on our platform is £1,500, and Surrey enquiries tend to sit higher at around £1,750. This includes a caller who is able to teach your guests the dance steps and lead them through each dance.
To give you an idea of how pricing scales with lineup size, Paragon Ceilidh Band quoted a client in Godalming with the following options: a trio with caller, guitar and fiddle at £880; a four-piece adding drums at £1,171; a five-piece adding keyboards at £1,462; and a six-piece with a second lead vocalist at £1,753. Their pricing is based on Musicians' Union rates and includes travel.
To get an accurate quote, it's best to talk to the band themselves. Make an enquiry to be put in direct contact with our best local musicians, and you'll be able to discuss details such as dress code, your favourite songs and dances, PA system hire, lighting and parking arrangements.
Reviews from local events in Surrey
“Thank you so much to Ceilidh Twist for their wonderful performance for our anniversary party. The choice of dances were great (some more challenging than others!) and everyone commented on how much fun they’d had. Those who had never ceilidh’d before were complete converts! Thank you for a fab night.”
Booked Ceilidh Twist for a anniversary at Chichester Hall, Witley, UK
“Simon and the band were fantastic! They did a lovely version of the song we picked for our first dance and followed with a great evening of ceilidh and covers. Our only regret is not having a bigger dance floor as all our wedding guests wanted to get involved with the ceilidh! Would definitely recommend.”
Booked Paragon Ceilidh Band for a wedding at Home Farm House, Dorking, UK
“We had the band play at our wedding and they were absolutely wonderful. The music, the calling and the energy was top notch. We've had so many of our guests rave about how much fun they had and how good the band were. Honestly, if you want a wonderful ceilidh, look no further!”
“Ceilidh Trio were excellent; everyone at the event enjoyed the music and partied all night. We would definitely book again!!”
“Hi Tom, Just wanted to send you a quick message to say thank you for playing at our wedding. The cover songs were just what we wanted and the ceilidh songs got everyone dancing all night! Everyone said that the mix of the two was fantastic! Thank you again, Helen.”
Booked Ramnee Ceilidh Band for a wedding at Gildings Barns, Partridge Lane, Newdigate, Dorking, UK
“The guys were amazing; they played really well and also gave very clear instructions that were very useful to most of our guests who haven't been ceilidhing before. Everyone had a great time and enjoyed it so much. Many have messaged us afterwards saying how much they loved ceilidhing and what a great idea to do something different for our wedding. We're very grateful to Willow Ceilidh Band for their fabulous contribution to make our wedding memorable and fun!”
“You guys were bloody awesome at our wedding on the 10th September, we are your new fans!”
View Surrey Ceilidh Bands Performing 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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Which Style of Ceilidh Is Right for Your Surrey Event?
Most Surrey couples book a ceilidh and covers band for their evening reception, with a DJ set between the live sets.
If you are planning a wedding at one of Surrey's barn venues like Gildings Barns or Ridge Farm, a ceilidh is a natural fit for the setting.
Our bands cover traditional Scottish ceilidh, Irish ceili and English barn dance. Ceilidh Twist and Paragon Ceilidh Band also add electric guitar, electric violin and vocals for a modern ceilidh and covers format popular at Surrey weddings. For a purely traditional ceilidh, The London Ceilidh Band and Ceilidh Trio specialise in that style.
Looking for other live music? Browse our wedding bands in Surrey, function bands in Surrey or wedding DJs in Surrey.
FAQ About Ceilidh Bands in Surrey
How much does a ceilidh band cost in Surrey?
The median budget couples enter for ceilidh bands on FixTheMusic is £1,500. Surrey enquiries tend to sit higher at around £1,750. The interquartile range is £900 to £1,800, meaning most couples spend somewhere in that band. Prices vary by lineup size: a 3-piece with caller typically costs less than a 5-piece ceilidh and covers band. Solo ceilidh musicians on our platform start at around £325. All our ceilidh bands include a caller in their quote, which is essential for guiding guests through the dances.
How far in advance should I book a ceilidh band for a Surrey wedding?
On average, couples book ceilidh bands around 10 months before their event. Bands that travel regularly into Surrey from London have even longer lead times. Paragon Ceilidh Band averages 14 months and Willow Ceilidh Band averages 11 months. Ceilidh Twist, our most-booked ceilidh band, averages 9 months. July and August are the busiest months for confirmed ceilidh bookings across the UK. If your Surrey wedding falls in summer, enquire as soon as your date is confirmed.
Which Surrey venues do your ceilidh bands perform at?
Our bands have performed at venues across Surrey including Wotton House in Dorking, Northbrook Park in Farnham, Gildings Barns in Newdigate, The Mill at Elstead, Burford Bridge Hotel in Dorking and Farnham Castle. Barn venues are especially popular for ceilidh weddings in Surrey. Check your venue's dance floor dimensions before booking as ceilidh dancing requires significantly more space than a standard disco. For more on the booking process, see our guide to booking a ceilidh band.
Should I book a ceilidh and covers band or just a traditional ceilidh?
Most Surrey couples book a ceilidh and covers combo. Across our platform, 311 out of 4,464 ceilidh enquiries specifically request both ceilidh dancing and a covers set. The typical format is an acoustic ceilidh set during the reception, followed by two evening sets: one ceilidh and one pop and rock covers set with a DJ in between. Ceilidh Twist, Ramnee Ceilidh Band and Paragon Ceilidh Band all offer this format and perform regularly in Surrey. If you want a purely traditional Scottish or Irish ceilidh, The London Ceilidh Band and Ceilidh Trio specialise in that.
Do I need a DJ as well as a ceilidh band?
Many ceilidh bands on FixTheMusic also provide a DJ set as part of their package. Across our platform, 845 ceilidh enquiries specifically mention wanting a DJ alongside the ceilidh. This is the most popular setup for Surrey weddings: the band plays live ceilidh sets and the DJ fills the gaps between sets and plays into the late evening. Booking a combined ceilidh and DJ package from one band is usually cheaper and logistically simpler than hiring separately.
Will the ceilidh band teach my guests the dances?
Yes. Nearly all ceilidh bands on FixTheMusic include a professional caller. Across our platform, 806 ceilidh enquiries specifically mention wanting a caller. The caller guides guests through each dance before the music starts, makes sure everyone is included and adjusts the difficulty to suit the crowd. This is especially important at Surrey weddings where many guests will be ceilidh beginners. One couple who booked Willow Ceilidh Band at Hookhouse Farm in Outwood wrote that the caller gave "very clear instructions that were very useful to most of our guests who haven't been ceilidhing before".
What is the difference between a Scottish ceilidh, an Irish ceili and a barn dance?
A Scottish ceilidh features dances like Strip the Willow, The Gay Gordons and The Dashing White Sergeant, typically played on fiddle, accordion and drums. An Irish ceili uses similar instrumentation but focuses on set dancing and ceili dances. A barn dance is the broader English and American folk tradition, which includes line dancing and circle dances. Across our 4,464 ceilidh enquiries, Scottish ceilidh is the most requested style with 627 mentions, followed by English folk at 102, Irish ceili at 131 and barn dance at 43. Many of our bands can perform all three styles in a single evening.
How many guests do I need for a ceilidh?
Ceilidh dancing works best with at least 25 to 30 guests on the dance floor at once. The average headcount across all our ceilidh enquiries is 102 guests. Most Surrey wedding enquiries mention 80 to 150 guests. A ceilidh is social and interactive, so even at smaller parties the dancing creates its own energy. One Surrey enquiry for a 40th birthday near Farnham mentioned "80 guests with around 25 children" and the band tailored the set accordingly. If you have fewer than 50 guests, a 3-piece ceilidh band rather than a 5-piece will suit the space better.
Can ceilidh bands play at marquee weddings in Surrey?
Yes. Across our platform, 105 ceilidh enquiries specifically mention marquees or outdoor settings. Surrey has a strong tradition of marquee weddings at private houses, especially around Godalming and the Surrey Hills. Ceilidh bands can perform in marquees provided there is cover from the elements, a flat surface for dancing and access to a safe power supply. Even in good weather, bands need cover from direct sunlight as it can damage wooden instruments. One Surrey wedding planner enquired for "a ceilidh band that also turns into a cover band for a marquee wedding in Guildford", which is a typical request.
How long does a ceilidh last at a wedding?
A typical ceilidh at a wedding lasts around 2.5 hours of live performance, usually split into two or three 45-minute sets with 30-minute breaks between them. Ceilidh dancing is physical for both the musicians and the guests, so breaks are important. Most Surrey couples schedule the ceilidh for the evening after dinner. One couple booking Ramnee Ceilidh Band at Gildings Barns requested "an acoustic set during the reception and canapes, then two evening sets: one ceilidh and one covers set with a DJ in between". This is the most popular format we see.
Do ceilidh bands perform first dances?
Some do. Across our platform, 136 ceilidh enquiries specifically mention a first dance. Most ceilidh bands can learn a specific song for your first dance if you give them enough notice, though this is more common with ceilidh and covers bands that have vocals and broader instrumentation. If your first dance song is a traditional Scottish or Irish tune, a ceilidh band is a natural fit. For pop or rock first dance songs, check with the band in advance as not all traditional ceilidh lineups include a vocalist.
Which musical instruments do ceilidh bands use?
Most ceilidh bands include a fiddle, acoustic guitar and drums. Other common additions are accordion, piano or keyboard, tin whistle, bass guitar, banjo and bagpipes. The instrumentation varies by style. Traditional Scottish ceilidh bands lean heavily on fiddle and accordion. Modern ceilidh and covers bands like Ceilidh Twist add electric guitar, electric violin and full vocals to the lineup. The caller is not a musician but is arguably the most important member of the band at a Surrey wedding, particularly when many guests are new to ceilidh dancing.
Which ceilidh bands are most popular on FixTheMusic?
Ceilidh Twist is our most-booked ceilidh band with 152 confirmed bookings and 34 reviews, followed by Willow Ceilidh Band with 93 bookings and Paragon Ceilidh Band with 76 bookings. For Surrey specifically, bands based in or regularly travelling from London tend to be the most practical choice. Ramnee Ceilidh Band has a confirmed booking at Northbrook Park in Farnham, and Willow Ceilidh Band has a confirmed booking at Hookhouse Farm in Outwood. The London Ceilidh Band is based in Croydon and travels throughout the South East.
What music do ceilidh bands perform?
Ceilidh bands perform traditional Scottish and Irish dances. The most popular include Strip the Willow, The Gay Gordons, The Dashing White Sergeant, Cumberland Square Eight, Canadian Barn Dance, Highland Schottische, The Military Two Step and the Pride of Erin Waltz. Other favourites include St Bernard's Waltz, The Eightsome Reel and The Big Set Mixer. Ceilidh and covers bands also perform contemporary pop and rock songs in their second set. The caller will choose dances that suit your guests' experience level and explain the steps before each one.