Our Programme for the 2024 Festival is packed with a wide variety of exciting maritime events. We have a fantastic line up of Artists, with concerts large and small; there are pubs and clubs, boats and trains, a Napoleonic Fort, a Palmerston Fort, a Victorian Pier, Edwardian Cinema and Georgian Church in which to enjoy the entertainment.

Artists performing at Harwich Museum (subject to change)

Quaynotes

Sunday October 13th 12pm

Quaynotes play a mix of sea themed songs and tunes from haunting Celtic harp tunes to ballads of sea longing, partings and sailing life.

The three Quaynotes are all sailors mainly based on the River Deben although Claudia’s voyaging has taken her around Cape Horn. Their sets tell stories of women in maritime history – sea wives and herring girls, women waiting at home and those who dressed as men and went to sea.

All delivered with rich harmonies and a great sense of fun.

Rattlin’ Winches

Sunday October 13th 2pm

If you look hard, you might spot the three members of Rattlin’ Winches singing in other guises over the festival weekend.

Another home-grown Harwich shanty group the Winches deliver spirited renditions of popular sea songs and shanties.

HARWICH INTERNATIONAL SHANTY FESTIVAL

The UK’s Premier Shanty Festival

Celebrating the songs of the sea