Overview
Harwich International Shanty Festival – The UK’s Premier Shanty Event
10-12 October 2025
Harwich International Shanty Festival
The UK’s Premier Shanty Festival – celebrating the songs of the sea! Our next festival is on 10-12th October 2025. If you like singing, drinking, sailing, pirates & boats then welcome to Harwich International Shanty Festival.
Over the Festival weekend the whole of the old seaport town of Harwich rings with the sound of lusty shanties, music emanating from pubs, boats, clubs and our many historic buildings. There are street theatre sketches, maritime crafts, pirates, barge trips, walks, talks and workshops on offer and the town fills with colour as visitors soak up the atmosphere created over this special weekend.
The port of Harwich has been an integral part of our Maritime History for several hundred years and this continues today. From arriving and departing European and British royals to starving migrants thousands of people have passed through the port and the famous Mayflower ship, taking pilgrims to America, was a Harwich ship, whose Master Christopher Jones, was born and lived in the town. The local Ale Houses became a popular venue for sailors both those “in Transit” and those for to whom Harwich was home. Today these same Ale Houses are an integral part of the festival hosting artists and pub sessions throughout the long weekend.
Please note that on their website this event is called “Harwich International Shanty Festival”, but on their Facebook page and blurbs they refer to their event as “Harwich Shanty Festival”. They appear to be one-and-the-same event.