Overview
Sea Shanty Festival based in Brancaster Staithe, Norfolk in England.
11th – 13th September 2026
Welcome to the Brancaster Staithe Shanty Festival, an annual celebration held every September in the charming coastal village of Brancaster Staithe. Our festival brings together the rich maritime traditions and vibrant community spirit of the area through music, camaraderie, and charity.
Each year, we gather at five unique and beloved venues:
- The Jolly Sailors
- The White Horse
- Village Hall
- St Mary’s Church Burnham Deepdale
Our festival is more than just a musical event; it’s a heartfelt effort to support our community.
We proudly raise funds for the local Maritime Search & Rescue stations, such as the National Coastwatch (NCI) and RNLI. Additionally, proceeds are directed to other carefully chosen charities, making a positive impact on various causes close to our hearts.
Join us in celebrating the spirit of the sea, enjoy the lively shanties, and be part of a festival that makes a difference. Welcome to the Brancaster Staithe Shanty Festival – where music and charity sail together
No tickets are required. Just wander in and out of venues as you want, enjoying the lineup of shanty groups around the village.
Rather than tickets, the festival organisers ask that those enjoying the music donate what they can afford to the two charities they are supporting in 2026 are Hunstanton RNLI and the Brancaster Coast Watch.
Sea Shanty Workshop 2026 Sunday 11am Village Hall
The workshop is suitable for groups of all ages and is designed to teach a little history of shanties as well as having fun and singing along with some. It includes a variety of activities and group singing. This is a singalong workshop, not a choral masterpiece!
Stuart Green
The session is led by Stuart. He is a recently retired school teacher with 35 years’ experience of working with groups of all ages. He also sings regularly in care homes with his one man show. However, Stuart is also a founder member of the Cambridgeshire based crew, Isle ‘ave a Shanty, who have played many shows and festivals, as well as releasing two albums. He is also presenter of The Folk Club radio show, which broadcasts online around the world, where he is able to support artists and share his love of folk music.