Join local and visiting musicians for a night of traditional Scottish and Irish tunes and songs. Musician's very welcome and/or just come along and enjoy the music, atmosphere and the craic'.
Friday 21st August 2026
Save BIG with a Weekend Pass for the 13th annual Summer Trad Festival, running from 10th-12th July 2026 at The Vault Arts Centre and Festival Marquee in Newton Stewart! Offer expires 5pm on 10th June 2026!
Buy Weekend Passes!
Make sure you book early for the 13th annual Newton Stewart & Minnigaff Traditional Music & Dance Festival over 10th-12th July 2026.
Concerts and picking sessions throughout the weekend at SpringGrass Bluegrass Festival.
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
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.
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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.
Australian fiddle player and tune writer Jeri Foreman delivers a fiddle workshops at SpringGrass Bluegrass Festival in 2023.
SpringGrass Bluegrass Festival
Southwest Scotland's biggest Highland dancing competition is held at Newton Stewart & Minnigaff Traditional Music & Dance Festival.
Highland Dancing Competition
Dancers celebrate their acheivements at the Highland Dancing Competition in 2018
47 young dancers competed in 2019 at one of the largest traditional Scottish dancing competitions in South West Scotland.
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.
We can hardly believe it ourselves either, but the one and only Andy Irvine himself will be performing at this year's festival in a special one-off concert in the Festival Marquee to celebrate our 5th anniversary in real style! Tickets on sale from 1st March or buy an early bird weekend pass today!
16 Feb 18Nathon Jones
Delighted to announce our new partnership with LIVE IT and, with it, a brand new ticket booking system for the festival. Unlike previous years you'll now receive an e-ticket immediately on purchase which you can print, or bring on a mobile device, to be redeemed for the relevant wristband/s.
14 Feb 18Nathon Jones
Delighted to announce that the winner of BBC Radio Scotland's Young Traditional Musician of the Year 2018, Hannah Rarity, will be performing at this year's 5th anniversary Newton Stewart & Minnigaff Traditional Music & Dance Festival.
6 Feb 18Nathon Jones
We're delighted to announce that the very brilliant guitarist Clive Carroll will be performing at this year's Newton Stewart & Minnigaff Traditional Music Festival on Saturday 7th July 2018 at the McMillan Hall, Newton Stewart.
3 Feb 18Nathon Jones
On Sunday 18th March from 3pm-4:30pm at the McMillan Hall, Newton Stewart, there will be a free fiddle workshop facilitated by two members of Scottish fiddle group RANT followed by an evening concert from 7:30pm, also at the McMillan Hall. Don't miss it!
24 Jan 18Nathon Jones
Happy New Year to you all! We hope you had a fantastic Christmas and New Year and that, like us, you're already thinking ahead for the 6th-8th July and the 5th anniversary celebration of Newton Stewart & Minnigaff Traditional Music & Dance Festival.
16 Jan 18Nathon Jones
On behalf of our dear friend Graham Edmonds, in aid of MacMillan Cancer Support, we are hosting a night of music at The Bruce Hotel, Newton Stewart, on Friday 15th December from 7:30pm. Bring your instruments and voices and please give generously.
12 Dec 17Nathon Jones
Newton Stewart & Minnigaff Traditional Music & Dance Festival has been shortlisted by the Year of Young People Project Team in voting for a Young People's Choices award. Voting opened on Monday 11th December and closes on Monday 18th December at 5pm. We need your support!
We are now sold out for Emily Smith's 'Songs For Christmas' show at Crafty Distillery, Newton Stewart, on Friday 22nd December. Thank you to everyone who has pre-booked. Please note that there will be no tickets available on the door if you haven't already pre-booked them.
We need YOUR vote to help us receive funding from Young People's Choices. From 11th December young people who have a young scot card will get to vote on their preferred projects who will receive their funding in early January.
8 Dec 17Nathon Jones
We're down to the last few tickets for Emily Smith's 'Songs For Christmas' at Crafty Distillery, Newton Stewart, on Friday 22nd December so please make sure you book today to avoid disappointment. Please note that there will be no tickets available on the door if you haven't booked in advance.
6 Dec 17Nathon Jones
I was recently lucky enough to have an extended loan of "The Bruce"; a beautiful guitar made by one of Scotland's finest guitar makers who just happens to be right here in Dumfries & Galloway - Kenny Hilsley of Hilsley Guitars.
5 Dec 17Nathon Jones
Newton Stewart & Minnigaff Traditional Music & Dance Festival will celebrate its 13th year over 10th-12th July 2026. 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!