Birthday party Ceilidh Bands available to hire in Carlisle
Latest reviews of our Birthday Party Ceilidh Bands in Carlisle

"Cahootenany were just fabulous for my birthday party - they sounded great, got everyone up dancing and we all had a blast. Lovely, friendly people and the calling was excellent. Couldn't recommend them more!"
Lizzie hired Cahootenany for a Birthday party (available in Carlisle)

"Great fun! The band were fantastic! A varied set of dances with clear instructions. The guests loved it and we've had loads of compliments this week. The party was to celebrate our Silver Wedding so a range of ages for 18 - 80 and everyone enjoyed it. Thank you."
Elaine hired Serena Smith Ceilidh Band for a Private event (available in Carlisle)

"Ceithir were absolutely brilliant for our wedding, can't fault them one bit. Very good comms prior to the wedding, all set up in very good time, music was great and the calling for the ceilidh was clear and easy to understand (half the wedding was English and all seemed to get the hang of it!). Lovely bunch of guys, highly recommend!"
Cameron hired Ceithir for a Wedding (available in Carlisle)
FAQs about hiring Birthday Party Ceilidh bands in Carlisle
Take the stress out of hiring musicians with Encore
What kind of ceilidh bands are there?
There are basically two types of ceilidh band: traditional instrumental bands, and ceilidh cover bands. A traditional ceilidh band will perform Scottish folk tunes without a singer. Importantly, a traditional band will include a caller: they'll announce the dances, shout instructions to beginners, and get everyone involved in the revelry! In contrast, a ceilidh cover band will mix the folk tunes with modern pop covers. They'll have a singer, and provide a wide range of music for all to enjoy: young and old.
Which parts of an event or wedding will the ceilidh band play at?
In the spirit of leaving the best until last, the ceilidh band will usually wrap up celebrations, providing an exciting musical finale for your special day. The band caller will ensure you and your guests know the moves for each dance, giving everyone the opportunity to get involved. Plus, if you haven't had the chance to say hello to everyone during the course of the day, you might just find yourself dancing with them before it's over! Ceilidh dances can be pretty tiring, so having it at the end of the day is a smart choice - your guests will certainly thank you for it!
Will I need to provide the ceilidh band with any equipment?
Professional ceilidh bands come fully kitted-out with all the equipment needed to get the dancing underway, including amplification and a mixing desk. If your wedding venue is regularly used for live music, they will likely have a dedicated in-house PA sound system - in this case, the band may not need to bring their own amplification.
How much space will I need for ceilidh dancing?
The more space, the better! Ceilidh dancing takes up a lot more room on the dance floor than your typical disco. Other than that: make sure table are removed (encourages dancing!), seats are available to the side, and there are no obstacles near the dance floor. Broken bones ain't craic.
Do traditional ceilidh bands take requests?
Not usually. Unless you have a specific Scottish or Irish tune in mind, the band will normally play a pre-planned set, designed to perfection and gleaned from years of experience. If you have a special song in mind, make sure you tell the band well in advance. It might just get added to their repertoire!
How do you pronounce 'ceilidh'?
'Kay-lee'
Hiring a Birthday Party Ceilidh Band in Carlisle
Useful information
Birthday Party Ceilidh bands in Carlisle typically play Ceilidh, Folk, Pop, and most respond to enquiries within 2 hours. Demand peaks in June, July, August, so if your event falls in that window, it's worth getting in touch early to secure your preferred act.
How much does it cost to hire a Birthday Party Ceilidh Band in Carlisle?
Prices for Birthday Party Ceilidh bands vary depending on experience, set length, and the size of the act. As a guide, budget Birthday Party Ceilidh bands typically charge around £220 per performer, mid-range acts around £330, and high-end Birthday Party Ceilidh bands from £400 per performer upwards.
A guide to hiring Birthday Party Ceilidh Bands
Take the hassle out of hiring Birthday Party Ceilidh Bands with Encore Musicians
This page was created by the Encore team using data from 3404 bookings and 1656 verified reviews across the UK.
Last updated: 8 June 2026























