The annual Sea Shanty Festival makes its triumphant return to Greenwich’s iconic Cutty Sark on Saturday, 21 November 2026, bringing a full day of traditional maritime songs, family activities, and interactive workshops to one of London’s most famous historic landmarks.
First launched in 2021, the festival has expanded significantly over the past five years, attracting folk artists, performers, and shanty crews from across the UK and international waters. The 2026 edition coincides with Cutty Sark’s 157th birthday, transforming both the ship’s historic decks and the expansive dry berth beneath into lively stages for traditional sea songs.
A stellar line-up of talent
This year’s festival features a rich array of musical performers, celebrating both traditional working songs and contemporary folk revival styles:
- Resident favorites: Cutty Sark’s own resident shanty groups, Swinging the Lead and The HogEye Men, return to lead classic maritime numbers.
- All-female shanty crews: Powerful vocal performances from trailblazing groups including The Silver Darlings and Upping the Shanty.
- Folk musicians & historians: Solo folk singer and squeezebox player Sonny Brazil, alongside multi-instrumentalist Mark Braby, who will also deliver an insightful talk detailing the origin and history of sea shanties.
- Community ensembles: Rousing ensemble sets from the Queer History Club Choir and the London Sea Shanty Collective.
Beyond the music, visitors of all ages can take part in hands-on workshops throughout the day, including traditional ropemaking and family-friendly craft sessions set against the backdrop of the historic clipper.
Festival schedule & big sing-alongs
The festival program is split into two sessions, with a single ticket granting access to both morning and afternoon performances:
- Session 1: Doors and performances start at 10:30am, concluding with a massive joint sing-along at 1:30pm.
- Session 2: The afternoon session commences at 2:30pm (featuring the full line-up of performers) and culminates in a final grand sing-along at 5:30pm.
Speaking on the unique heritage of the event, Vicki Beswick, Schools Learning Senior Producer at Royal Museums Greenwich, noted:
“What makes the Sea Shanty Festival really special is that it takes place on and under one of the UK’s most famous ships – Cutty Sark. 157 years ago, its sailors would have been singing these same shanties whilst working to help the ship speed across the ocean. Every year, on Cutty Sark’s birthday, we pay homage to those crews with our annual musical celebration.”
Booking details:
Sea Shanty Festival at Cutty Sark is on Saturday, 21 November 2026.
Session 1: 10:30am–1:30pm | Session 2: 2:30pm–5:30pm)
Venue: Cutty Sark, King William Walk, Greenwich, London SE10 9HT
All ages welcome (ideal for families and folk music enthusiasts)
Advance booking is recommended via Royal Museums Greenwich.
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