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Autumn Trad Festival 2025 update


9 Oct 25
by Nathon Jones

Autumn Trad Festival 2025

Despite best efforts to promote this year's Autumn Trad Festival - an event that champions young people in traditional music and which was due to celebrate its 5th annual event this year - a lack of funding and poor ticket sales may see the event cancelled.

Due to take place over 17th & 18th October, and featuring two exciting talents in TARRAN (Trio) and Swinging on Birches as well as the outstanding tune and song sessions which are always a highlight of the traditional music festivals in Newton Stewart, the charity had hoped to continue the hard work it has done over the past 5 years to establish this event as a regular weekend in the traditional folk music calendar in Scotland.

However, despite having two of the best young bands in Scotland booked, poor ticket sales combined with a failure to secure funding have left organisers in a difficult position.

Festival Director Nathon Jones said "Autumn Trad Festival features some of the best young traditional music talents in Scotland, some of whom have gone on to win awards for their music at national level, and this year is no different, with two fantastic young bands heading to Newton Stewart for another weekend of quality traditional music.

"We rely on audiences to support these events, and events at the venue are usually very well attended, however if people do not book in advance it makes it difficult to know whether or not to go ahead as you can't always rely on walk-ups."

Organisers have, with agreement from the artists, decided to delay any decision until Monday 13th October to see if any sales come in over the weekend so if you do plan on attending please select from either, or both, of the events below and book now.

If you do make a booking and the event does end up being cancelled you will receive a full refund.  We're hoping it doesn't come to that!

TARRAN (Trio) - Autumn Trad Festival 2025
Friday 17th October 2025 / Doors 7pm / Entry £10
Book online at https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/the-vault/t-nollegq

Swinging on Birches - Autumn Trad Festival 2025
Saturday 18th October 2025 / Doors 7pm / Entry £10
Book online at https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/the-vault/t-qjrrqqa

Book Online

In Other News


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18 Oct 25
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Full steam ahead for Autumn Trad Festival 2025

What a wonderful community of musicians, music lovers and supporters of arts and culture in Dumfries & Galloway we have! Tickets have been flying out the door for the 5th annual Autumn Trad Festival which will take place over 17th & 18th October featuring Tarran (Trio) and Swinging on Birches.  

14 Oct 25
Nathon Jones

Autumn Trad Festival 2025 update

Despite best efforts to promote this year's Autumn Trad Festival - an event that champions young people in traditional music and which was due to celebrate its 5th annual event this year - a lack of funding and poor ticket sales may see the event cancelled.  

9 Oct 25
Nathon Jones

Trad Music Trust

Newton Stewart & Minnigaff Traditional Music & Dance Festival will celebrate its 10th anniversary over 11th-13th July 2025. 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!

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