Shanty Festival Returns - Leigh-on-Sea

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Leigh On Sea News: Shanty Festival Returns – LEIGH’s maritime-themed music festival will bring the Old Town to life when the Old Leigh Shanty Weekend makes its much-anticipated return

Shanty Festival Returns - LEIGH’s maritime-themed music festival will bring the Old Town to life when the Old Leigh Shanty Weekend makes its much-anticipated return

LEIGH’s maritime-themed music festival will bring the Old Town to life when the Old Leigh Shanty Weekend makes its much-anticipated return from Friday 16th to Sunday 18th May 2025.

Now in its fourth year, this vibrant free community festival celebrates maritime music in the historic setting of Leigh’s Old Town, a place steeped in seafaring history and the working lives of cocklers, fishermen, and boatbuilders.

Backed by Leigh Lions Club CIO, Priority Management Services, and The Hoy at Anchor Folk Club, the festival offers an atmospheric mix of sea shanties, folk music, and traditional dance across a variety of Old Leigh venues including Strand Wharf (The Festival Stage), The Crooked Billet, No. 1 Cocklesheds, The Boatyard Restaurant, The Mayflower, Ye Olde Smack, and The Peter Boat.

The line-up is a tribute to the national shanty scene, featuring 20 shanty crews from across the UK, including: The Blakeney Old Wild Rovers (Norfolk); The Lowestoft Longshoremen (Suffolk); The Dockyard Dogs (London); The Loose Cannons (Cornwall); The Brave Marauders (Buckinghamshire; The Hoy Shanty Crew (Leigh-on-Sea), and more.

All performers are giving their time and talent free of charge, underlining the festival’s community-driven spirit.

Donations raised throughout the weekend by Leigh Lions Club will go to Southend RNLI, Leigh Endeavour Trust, and the Lions’ charitable causes.

There will also be a real ale bar at Strand Wharf on Saturday and Sunday, adding a traditional drinking accompaniment to the festivities.

The weekend kicks off on Friday 16th May with a traditional Shanty Singaround at The Crooked Billet at 7pm.

Saturday 17th May, from 12 noon, sees live music across venues all afternoon, building to a Grand Shanty Finale at Billet Wharf around 6pm.

Sunday 18th May, from 12 noon, will welcome more singing and dancing from midday, with the final hurrah — the Grand Shanty Finale at Strand Wharf at 6pm.

Parking is available in and around the Old Town and behind Leigh Railway Station — but festivalgoers are advised to arrive early to beat the crowds.

Organiser Tony Prior explains: “No tickets are available as the Shanty Weekend is a free community event!”

Picture: The Hoy Shanty Crew perform at Billet Wharf last year

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