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Latest Festival News


All the latest festival news as well as news and updates from the traditional music scene in Dumfries & Galloway including concerts, workshops, artist updates, new music releases, music reviews and more. We'll also be featuring news and views from some of our favourite traditional music artists and traditional music news from around the world.

Calling all 18-24 year olds!

We've had a fantastic response to the Newton Stewart Arts Centre Community Survey, with over 350 responses so far, but we want it to be as representative as possible - you'll help shape new music, dance, language and arts services in the region - so if you're aged 18-24 we'd love to hear from you.  

12 Dec 18
Billie Jones

Cancelled - Emily Smith Concert

It is with deep regret that, due to poor ticket sales, we're having to announce the cancellation of the Emily Smith Songs For Christmas concert due to be held this coming Saturday 15th December at Our Lady & St Ninian's Church. All bookings so far will, of course, receive a full refund.  

10 Dec 18
Nathon Jones

Registration Open for 2019

Registration is now open for Scottish Highland dancing competition, SOBHD Competition BJ4, on Saturday 13th July 2019 at Minnigaff Playing Fields, Dumfries & Galloway, Scotland.  

8 Dec 18
Nathon Jones

Mànran Live at Stranraer

Don't miss the fabulous Gary Innes, Ewen Henderson, Ross Saunders, Ryan Murphy, Mark Scobbie and Craig Irving, otherwise known as Scottish supergroup Mànran, live at The Fitba Bar, Stranraer, this coming Friday 7th December from 7:30pm.  

29 Nov 18
Nathon Jones

New arts delivery in Newton Stewart

Please spare a minute to complete the 9 question Newton Stewart Arts Centre Community Survey. Your responses will help shape the delivery of new music tuition, arts and cultural events/activities and the development of a new arts centre in Newton Stewart.  

21 Nov 18
Nathon Jones

Emily Smith's Songs for Christmas

It has been a fantastic year for the Trad Music Trust and Newton Stewart & Minnigaff Traditional Music & Dance Festival so, to celebrate, we've reduced the price for the forthcoming Emily Smith Song's For Christmas show to £10 (Over 25's) and £8 (Over 65's / Under 25's). Merry Christmas!  

19 Nov 18
Nathon Jones

£130,320 economic impact in 2018

With support from Dumfries & Galloway Council's Major Events Strategic Fund it has been estimated that Newton Stewart & Minnigaff Traditional Music & Dance Festival had a total economic impact of £130,320 in 2018; a fantastic achievement for the event and a huge boost to the region's economy.  

18 Nov 18
Billie Jones

Wish us luck at the D&G Life Awards

Chairperson Billy and Festival Director Nathon are off to the D&G Life Awards this evening (9th Nov) to represent Trad Music Trust and the Newton Stewart & Minnigaff Traditional Music & Dance Festival which has been shortlisted as a finalist in the Tourism Champion category.  

9 Nov 18
Billie Jones

Rachel Hair & Ron Jappy in 2019

Delighted to announce that we'll have outstanding Scottish harpist, composer and tutor Rachel Hair and guitarist / multi-instrumentalist Ron Jappy teaching and performing on Saturday 13th July 2019 at the 6th annual Newton Stewart & Minnigaff Traditional Music & Dance Festival!  

27 Oct 18
Nathon Jones

A concert for Cameron

We are delighted to be supporting the concert for Cameron at the Waverley Hall, Creetown, this evening (27th Oct) from 7:30pm with live music from members of our Board of Trustees, family and friends of Newton Stewart & Minnigaff Traditional Music & Dance Festival.  

27 Oct 18
Nathon Jones

TradFestival Live @ Limavady

This weekend members of the Board of Trustees and Festival Director Nathon Jones head to Limavady in Northern Ireland to perform live and fly the flag for Newton Stewart & Minnigaff Traditional Music & Dance Festival with kind invitation from our good friends from the band Fáilte.  

20 Oct 18
Nathon Jones

MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards

Hands Up for Trad have opened nominations for this year’s MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards and we need your support to help make it a truly unforgettable year for Newton Stewart & Minnigaff Traditional Music & Dance Festival. Closing date is Sunday 14th October!  

11 Oct 18
Nathon Jones

Trad Music Trust

The 10th annual Newton Stewart & Minnigaff Traditional Music & Dance Festival takes place over the 12th-14th July 2024. 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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