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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.

New Sponsor - Merrick Group

Fantastic support from Mark Norris and everyone at Merrick Group who we welcome as the first Highland Dancing Ambassadors for this year's festival. The Scottish Highland Dancing competitions take place on the Saturday of the festival, the 7th July, and will feature over 150 dancers aged from 5-25+.  

17 May 18
Billie Jones

New Sponsor - Stables Guest House

Huge thanks to Jacqui at Stables Guest House in Newton Stewart who we welcome as an official sponsor for this year's festival. The backing of local businesses and the local community is vital to the continued success of the event so it's hugely encouraging when we receive such generous support.  

17 May 18
Billie Jones

Venue changed to Portpatrick

Just to update you that the Play For The Festival tour date on 30th June 2018 has changed venue to the Waterfront Hotel, Portpatrick.  

16 May 18
Nathon Jones

Get along to Moniaive this weekend!

Make sure you get along to Moniaive this weekend for the 17th Moniaive Folk Festival which takes place over the 10th-13th May and features, among many others, the Jarlath Henderson Band, Ross Ainslie & the Sanctuary Band and Moishe’s Bagel.  

7 May 18
Nathon Jones

Get yourself to Girvan this weekend

May bank holiday weekend means only one thing for us...the fantastic Girvan Folk Festival. Running from the 4th-6th May, this weekend, it's one of Scotland's longest running traditional music festivals attracting some of the biggest names in traditional music. We are, of course, going!  

1 May 18
Nathon Jones

Festival Tickets Discount Vouchers

If you're heading to Craft Hotel, Wigtown, tonight - Saturday 28th April from 8pm - to see Festival Directors Rhona & Nathon Jones performing then make sure to ask about the special offer discount codes for this year's festival which are only available in person at our live gigs.  

28 Apr 18
Nathon Jones

Play For The Festival @ Craft Hotel

We're back on the road again this evening, Saturday 7th April, this time at Craft Hotel, Wigtown, from 8:30pm for more tunes and songs from the festival committee, family and friends to raise funds for this year's Newton Stewart & Minnigaff Traditional Music & Dance Festival.  

7 Apr 18
Nathon Jones

Play For The Festival @ Bruce Hotel

Join the festival trustees and friends for an afternoon of music on Sunday 1st April 2018 from 2:30pm at the Bruce Hotel, Newton Stewart, and please bring your instruments and voices! There'll also be promotional discount codes available for tickets for this year's festival so don't miss it!  

29 Mar 18
Nathon Jones

General tickets on sale now!

Delighted to announce that general tickets are now on sale for each of the individual concert events featuring Andy Irvine, Old Blind Dogs, Tim Edey, LAS, Hannah Rarity, Clive Carroll, Kim Carnie, Aaron & Nathon Jones. You'll save up to £12.50 per person if you buy a weekend pass though!  

23 Mar 18
Nathon Jones

Festival Line-up Launch

You are cordially invited to Creebridge House Hotel, Minnigaff, on Friday 16th March 2018 from 6pm to hear the confirmed line-up for this year's festival and to reflect on 5 fantastic years so far via photos, film, live music and unique special offer ticket discounts for this year's event.  

14 Mar 18
Nathon Jones

Need accommodation?

We have an option, this year, to utilise Minnigaff Youth Hostel which has 26 beds available in 3 rooms - 1 four-bedded, 1 six-bedded and 2 eight-bedded - with 2 showers and 4 toilets. There's ample parking too should you have a motorhome or caravan and are looking for safe overnight parking.  

9 Mar 18
Nathon Jones

Kim Carnie @TradFestival 2018

Delighted to be adding Kim Carnie and her trio featuring Euan Burton and Jack Badcock to this year's line-up. Kim, Euan and Jack will perform on Saturday 7th July 2018 at the McMillan Hall, Newton Stewart in a concert that also features ace guitarist Clive Carroll and the outstanding Old Blind Dogs.  

25 Feb 18
Nathon Jones

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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