How I choose depends.
If I'm travelling far I want some 'proper' dance (Playford, Contra, Square, not just a noisy ceili that I'm too old for).
But I enjoy a chance to play in sessions, hear new acts and old favs in concerts, sing some shanty choruses - I have less time for that when I'm at home.
I really enjoy the Sunday at Bromyard, sessions in pubs, lots of young new talent & big names. I'd think twice about travelling and paying for my ticket & B&B if they didn't have the Day of Dance on the Sat though.
Whitby and Chippenham have everything (except time to get to everything!)
If it's a local fest I might not buy a ticket, just go along for the sessions. If you buy, say, an evening ticket, and go to a dance or concert, it costs you more than going to an evening dance, or hearing that act at a folk club. And you can only do one thing at a time. I pay up for Feb folk day in Chester though.