Maritime Festival 2024 combines with Albany International Folk ‘n’ Shanty Festival for first time

Clear the decks and hoist the sails as the Maritime Festival gears up for its fifth year with a host of new nautical-themed events and a new partnership with the Albany International Folk ‘n’ Shanty Festival.

From June 28 to July 31, the festival will showcase Albany’s rich maritime history through exhibitions, workshops, performances and engaging activities.

For the first time, the 2024 program will see the Albany International Folk ‘n’ Shanty Festival, which is historically held in October, pushed forward to early July to run alongside the Maritime Festival.

City of Albany manager of community relations, Elise van Gorp said the blending of the three-day musical event into the Maritime Festival program was a natural move.

“The blending and re-positioning of the Albany International Folk ‘n’ Shanty Festival as part of the Albany Maritime Festival is an exciting and natural transition,” she said.

“There is a great synergy between Albany’s rich maritime heritage and the hearty and joyful nautical folk and shanty stories sung with passion in cosy venues throughout the CBD.

“This year’s program is comprehensive and there will certainly be something for locals and visitors alike to enjoy throughout the month of July.

“We have leveraged shared maritime themes and stories in such a way that the community can embrace its rich maritime history.”

The Folk N’ Shanty Festival runs from July 5 to 7, with 46 artists — including the Albany Shantymen, stars of online phenomenon ShantyTok — performing at six different venues across the town in a variety of free and ticketed events.

The Maritime Festival program is set to host more than 50 events over the month, ranging from surf workshops, a camp pirate party for queers and allies, and a Caribbean cruise murder mystery event, to meeting a mermaid, tours of the shellfish hatchery and author talks.

Last year’s event drew more than 15,000 people from Albany and further afield, a number that the city thinks will be topped this year, thanks to the partnership with the popular music event.

The full program and tickets are available on the Maritime Festival 2024 website.