Oxford Folk Festival is entering its sixth year - and raring to get going again.

This year the roster of artists at the Town Hall is headlined by the incredible Kate Rusby, rated by The Guardian 'the most beautiful voice in England'.

A multi-award-winning singer and songwriter, Kate has been dubbed the 'Barnsley Nightingale' in tribute to a South Yorkshire background which has given her a puckish, down-to-earth humour that shines through in the inter-song banter of her stage sets.

One of the few folk singers to have been nominated for the Mercury Prize, Kate traditionally appears with a trio of folk musicians.

At the Oxford Folk Festival though she performs with what is practically an orchestra, the virtuoso Donald Grant and the Red Skies String Ensemble. It should be an exciting occasion - and not to be missed.

Other Town Hall headliners include the amazing Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain, the bhangra - driven Dhol Foundation, Oxford's own John Spiers and Jon Boden and the Scottish trio Lau, voted Best Group in the Radio 2 Folk Awards 2009.

Wynndebagge the Piper's hilarious New St George Waits appear at the Holywell Music Room, and the foot-stomping ceilidh outfit, the Cock and Bull Band, at Oxford Brookes.

As ever, you can expect a wealth of free outside entertainment as some 600 morris dancers flood the city centre over the weekend.

Don't miss the grand parade which departs from Oxford Castle at 11am on Saturday to caper in Cornmarket till noon.

Dance displays and children's activities continue over the Saturday and Sunday at the Castle which for the first time also hosts a wealth of school choirs.

Choirs are a special feature of our festival this year. On Saturday 21st March, youngsters from all over Oxfordshire will have an unprecedented opportunity to perform. Between 12 noon and 6pm no fewer than 16 school choirs will appear at Oxford Castle and the Holywell Music Room where you can also see local celebrities the Blackbird Leys Choir, who featured in Channel 5's Singing Estate programme.

And here's the good news - the choral events are entirely FREE!

The singing Saturday at the Holywell will be rounded off in style as the Oxford Folk Festival's own community choir 'Rising Vo ices' launches the Oxfordshire 'Singing Histories' project with a workshop on traditional Oxfordshire songs, in which all-comers are invited to participate. It is not a concert - it is a singaround. No experience is necessary to join in - just enthusiasm.

Come and join us!