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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.

Save BIG with a Weekend Pass

Wow, it's less than a month until we welcome you all again to the concerts, workshops, tune and song sessions, highland dancing, pipes...it's a packed programme again and rightly so for it's our 5th anniversary! Grab a weekend pass and save up to £30.50 per person this year.  

7 Jun 18
Nathon Jones

Live music at the Galloway Bar

We're back on the road again this weekend raising money for the festival with some live music at Newton Stewart's best wee bar and restaurant, the Galloway Bar, on Friday 1st June 2018 from 8:30pm. There'll be tunes, songs, all the usual shenanigoats and discount vouchers for festival tickets!  

29 May 18
Nathon Jones

The Barrstools @ Crafty Distillery

Join fabulous South Ayrshire group The Barrstools at Crafty Distillery, Newton Stewart, on Saturday 7th July 2018 from 6:00pm as part of this year's festival programme. Superb local gin, good tunes, good songs and the best of craic' - the perfect way to start your Saturday night festival.  

25 May 18
Nathon Jones

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

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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Commercial Sponsors:
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  • Crafty Distillery Logo
  • WEST Brewery Logo
Funded by:
  • Dumfries & Galloway Council Logo
  • The Holywood Trust Logo