Quayside Shanty & Heritage Harbour Festival

Exeter’s Quayside Shanty and heritage Festival was held on Saturday, September 12, 2026 and featured many popular maritime music acts from the UK.

The original Quayside Shanty Festival was held on Saturday, September 14, 2024 at Exeter Quayside, by the Exeter Custom House and organized by Bow Movement. From 2026 it was renamed the “Quayside Shanty & Heritage Harbour Festival.”

This was a celebration of sea shanties and maritime music on Exeter’s historic quayside.  This was a fantastic day and evening of folk song of the sea, performed by some colourful characters and suitable for all the family.  There was no admission fee for the event.

The Exeter Custom House was built in 1680 at the height of Exeter’s woolen cloth industry.