‘Family Nest’ Fest premiered online on Sunday 19 July 2020 but you can still enjoy the highlights video below

With no festival in 2020 we went online with a digital offering of distilled ‘Folk by the Oakness’ to enjoy at home! ‘Family Nest’ Fest brought a little Folk by the Oak magic into your houses and gardens; an online festival filled with exclusive material from a host of incredible folk musicians, art, craft, and shared moments of well-being, all raising funds for great causes.

Thanks to everyone’s generosity and kindness we have raised £21,056 to be shared between the Willow charity and the participating musicians. We can’t thank you enough and the team here are overjoyed at the great vibes that have emanated from this event. You have helped to keep the positivity alive during tough and unprecedented times. A great big socially distanced hug to you all!

Heartfelt thanks go out to everyone who donated

This not-for-profit virtual event raised money both for our Nest Fest performers, so many of whom have lost their livelihood due to the recent situation, and for our partner charity Willow who provide special days for seriously ill young adults.
Willow beneficiary and musician Eirra was our ambassador for Willow at the ‘Family Nest’ Fest, as well as performing her own set.

Willow

By 2019 Folk by the Oak had raised over £91,000 through ticket contributions, the generosity of the crowd on the day, and further donations, all going to support Willow’s vital work. With no festival in 2020 the ‘Family Nest’ Fest provided the perfect platform for us all to continue to show them support.
Find out more about Willow:

We are overjoyed to have been joined by the 2019 Kate Greenaway medal-winning artist Jackie Morris (co-author of The Lost Words with Robert Macfarlane). Jackie conjured a peaceful painting of calm, hope and meditation inspired by her breath-taking new book The Unwinding, in real time, creating a unique ‘chill-out’ area for our online festival! Watch the painting gradually unfold, and relax amid an oak woodland soundscape created by sound artist Chris Watson. The Unwinding Stream is a place which slowly and gently inspires dreams, somewhere to dip in and out of as needed, to bring some day-time dream-time into your life!

Thanks to Jackie’s generosity, everyone who donated to the Nest Fest Fund was entered into a draw to win this unique and exceptional painting.

Thank you for being part of ‘Family Nest’ Fest!

We were joined by thousands of followers from all around the globe for the live stream, and so many of you dug out your crowns, oak leaves, bunting, picnics, and twinkly lights to spread some joy in such strange times. Thank you so much; it was wonderful to see you all for real the following year!