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Summer Trad Festival

Celebrating its 10th anniversary year this year, don't miss Summer Trad Festival over 11th-13th July 2025 and the very best in traditional music, dance and language. Book early to avoid disappointment!

11th-13th July 2025

The Kane Sisters

Liz and Yvonne Kane, known as The Kane Sisters, are two of Ireland's finest musicians and we are thrilled to welcome them to this year's Summer Trad Festival. Tickets on sale now or save with a Weekend Pass.

Saturday 12th July 2025

Ellie Beaton

Performing at this year's Summer Trad Festival, singer Ellie Beaton is the winner of BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year 2025. Tickets on sale now or save with a Weekend Pass.

Friday 11th July 2025

Jack Badcock

Performing at this year's Summer Trad Festival, singer and guitarist Jack Badcock is a hugely experienced performer, having toured throughout Europe, North America, Asia and Australia. Tickets on sale now or save with a Weekend Pass.

Sunday 13th July 2025

Rachel Walker & Aaron Jones

Performing at this year's Summer Trad Festival, Gaelic vocalist Rachel Walker and singer/instrumentalist Aaron Jones perform songs from their outstanding albums. Tickets on sale now or save with a Weekend Pass.

Sunday 13th July 2025

LUSSA

Inspired by the Latin word for "light", Lussa is an upcoming folk band based in Glasgow, back by popular demand for their first performance at this year's Summer Trad Festival. Tickets on sale now or save with a Weekend Pass.

Saturday 12th July 2025

The McGoldrick Family

Opening night at this year's Summer Trad Festival, we welcome the incredible Michael McGoldrick and his extremely talented family. Tickets on sale now, or save BIG with a weekend pass!

Friday 11th July 2025

Eilidh Patterson

LIVE at SpringGrass Bluegrass Festival 2025, the incredible songs and music of Eilidh Patterson.

Adam Thom

LIVE at SpringGrass Bluegrass Festival 2025, the outstanding Adam Thom.

The Niche Family

LIVE at SpringGrass Bluegrass Festival 2025, the incredible The Niche Family!

Hildaland

LIVE at SpringGrass Bluegrass Festival 2025, the fabulous Hildaland.

Charlotte Carrivick Band

Performing LIVE at SpringGrass Bluegrass Festival 2025, the Charlotte Carrivick Band.

Folk Club

Join local and visiting musicians for traditional Scottish/Irish folk tune and song sessions at The Vault Arts Centre. Free entry, family friendly and musicians very welcome!

Friday 30th May 2025

Jarad Rowan

Jarad performed LIVE on Saturday 25th January, part of our Burns Night celebration event.

Folk Club

Join local and visiting musicians for a traditional Scottish and Irish tune/song session. Musician's very welcome and/or just come along and enjoy the music, atmosphere and the craic'.

Festival Marquee

Concerts and picking sessions throughout the weekend at SpringGrass Bluegrass Festival.

Five Kingdoms Brewery

Outstanding sponsorship support from the team at Five Kingdoms Brewery for this year's festival, and outstanding beers on draught all weekend!

Five Kingdoms Brewery

The Vault Arts Centre

A former bank, the Trust re-developed the unoccupied premises into what is now acknowledged as being one of the best live music/performing arts venues in Scotland. A social enterprise project, the venue provides vital income and office space.

The Often Herd

Outstanding bluegrass from the North-East of England, The Often Herd transcend the traditional boundaries of the genre with driving energy, tight vocal harmonies and dazzling instrumental interplay.

The Black Denims

The Black Denims are Scotland’s newest country supergroup. With an expanse of 8 members, hailing from disparate musical backgrounds, the band manages to blend the disciplines of Jazz, Blues, Bluegrass, Folk, and Country into their story telling lore.

Sarah-Jane Scouten

Performing at SpringGrass Bluegrass Festival 2024, Sarah Jane Scouten has been nominated for 4 Canadian Folk Music Awards, a Western Canadian Music Award and an International Folk Music Award.

Rain of Animals

Performing at SpringGrass Bluegrass Festival 2024, Rain Of Animals is the euphonious collaboration between Pepita Emmerichs (Oh Pep!) and Theodore Barnard (Wire & Wool).

Fiddle Workshop with Jeri Foreman

Australian fiddle player and tune writer Jeri Foreman delivers a fiddle workshops at SpringGrass Bluegrass Festival in 2023.

SpringGrass Bluegrass Festival

Ivan Drever

Don't miss the chance to see the incredible, prolific singer-songwriter Ivan Drever at The Vault!

20th April 2024

Outstanding Concerts

Make sure you book early for the 10th annual Newton Stewart & Minnigaff Traditional Music & Dance Festival over 12th-14th July 2024.

Weekend Passes 2024

Highland Dancing Competition

Southwest Scotland's biggest Highland dancing competition is held at Newton Stewart & Minnigaff Traditional Music & Dance Festival.

Highland Dancing Competition

Highland Dancing Competition

Dancers celebrate their acheivements at the Highland Dancing Competition in 2018

Highland Dancing Competition

47 young dancers competed in 2019 at one of the largest traditional Scottish dancing competitions in South West Scotland.

@TradFestival 2018

Another year, another name change :) and Newton Stewart & Minnigaff Traditional Music & Dance Festival was ready to celebrate it's 5th anniversary at what was shaping up to be one of the most ambitious events yet. A new programme of official Scottish Highland dancing competitions, running all day on the Saturday, another outstanding musical line-up including the legendary Andy Irvine himself and continued support and backing from D&G Council's Major Events Strategic Fund and The Holywood Trust.

Cultural & Economic Impact 2018	2018	Since 2014
Concerts	7	23
Workshops	8	37
Organisation Spend in Wigtownshire	£15,722.50*	£37,467.43
Organisation Spend in Dumfries & Galloway	£20,740.94 *	£56,682.93
Organisation Spend in Scotland	£25,503.02 *	£68,335.01

* Total amount spent by Newton Stewart Traditional Music Festival Association to deliver Newton Stewart & Minnigaff Traditional Music & Dance Festival over the 6th, 7th & 8th July 2018.

Performers & Tutors in 2018

Andy Irvine
Tim Edey
Aaron Jones
Jonny Hardy
Ali Hutton
Donald Hay
Clive Carroll
Joy Dunlop
Suzanne Fivey
Edel Ní Churraoin
Gráinne Brady
Emma Ní Fhíoruisce
Kim Carnie
Euan Burton
Jack Badcock
Claire Mann
Hannah Rarity (BBC Radio Scotland's Young Traditional Musician of the Year 2018)
Conal McDonagh
Calum Morrison
Michael Drain
Watkins Lee
Ollie Rigg
Karen Keenan
Rhins of Galloway Pipes & Drums
Catriona McGhie
Ian McGhie
Stewart Robertson
Harry Sheddon
Kevin Boreland
Hamish Denham
Quentin Fyfe
Steven Stark
Lewis McLaughlin
James Bauld
Jem Irving
Jared Muir

Trad Music Trust

Newton Stewart & Minnigaff Traditional Music & Dance Festival will celebrate its 10th anniversary over 11th-13th July 2025. It's an incredible achievement. The charity has created a viable, sustainable, event that continues to grow and develop, proudly celebrating the very best in traditional Scottish, Irish and World music. Make sure you book early for what is shaping up to be the biggest event yet!

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