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Following a sold-out debut, Cambridge TradFest returns for its second year from 6–8 February 2026, bringing a weekend of Irish music and dance back to the city.Festival director and branch uilleann pipe teacher Kevin Naughten has welcomed the opportunity to build on last year’s success, following an enthusiastic response to the inaugural festival.
The 2026 festival will be headlined by Irish trio The High Seas, who will appear throughout the weekend. In addition to their headline concert on Sunday, the trio will lead workshops in fiddle, concertina, banjo, singing, and percussive dance, and will also take part in the popular Saturday Session Trail.
The Session Trail was a standout feature of last year’s festival, drawing musicians from across the UK and Ireland and filling venues along Mill Road with music throughout the day.
Full Weekend Schedule
Friday Ceili
6 February 2026, 6:30pm – 9:45pm (doors open 6:30pm)
St. Phillip’s Church
Music by the Magogs with calling by Robin Gracey.
Catering by Cambridge Sustainable Food.
Session to follow at the White Swan from 9:00pm.
Saturday Workshops
7 February 2026, 10:30am – 12pm and 1pm – 2:30pm
Romsey Mill and Ross Street Community Centre
Caitlín Nic Gabhann (concertina, percussive dance)
Ciarán Ó Maonaigh (fiddle)
Cathal Ó Curráin (banjo / mandolin, singing)
Robin Gracey, Polly Kempson, and the Magogs (set dancing)
Oisin McGinley (flute / whistle)
Andy Wilson (bodhrán)
Saturday Session Trail I
7 February 2026. Free entry for all events. Please support the pubs by purchasing food and drinks.
The Geldart: 14:30 – 17:30 Cath James (fiddle), Martin Harwood (fiddle) & Ben Connolly (piano / flute)
Hot Numbers: 14:30 – 17:00 Karen Ryan (fiddle) & Pete Quinn (piano)
The Six Bells: 15:00 – 18:00 Grace Lemon (pipes) & Joe Bardwell (guitar)
The Devonshire Arms: 15:00 – 18:00 Colm McGonigle (concertina) & Steve Prosol (box)
The Kingston Arms: 15:00 – 18:00 Josie Nugent (fiddle) & Brian Stafford (pipes)
Singing Session The Alex: 15:00 – 18:00 Dan Leighton
Saturday Youth Showcase
7 February 2026, 7pm – 8pm
St. Philips Church
Come out and support the next generation of Irish musicians. The concert will feature:
Cambridge Comhaltas’ Grupa Cheoil
London’s Trad Gathering (led by Karen Ryan and Pete Quinn)
Oisin McGinley (flute) with Katie Maguire (fiddle)
Youth session to follow 20:00 – 21:45.
Saturday Session Trail II
7 February 2026. Free entry for all events. Please support the pubs by purchasing food and drinks.
Hot Numbers: 19:00 – 22:00 Ciarán Ó Maonaigh (fiddle) & Ben Connolly (piano / flute)
The Six Bells: 20:00 – 23:00 Cathal Ó Curráin (banjo) & Laura Ugur (fiddle)
The Alex: 20:00 – 23:00 Colm McGonigle (concertina) & Finola Ryan (fiddle)
The Devonshire Arms: 20:00 – 23:00 Caitlín Nic Gabhann (concertina) & Niamh Gallagher (fiddle)
The Kingston Arms: 20:00 – 23:00 The Magogs: Paul McMahon (box), Stephen Greenwood (fiddle), Andy Wilson (bodhran)
Set Dancing Session The Rathmore: 19:30 – 22:30 Bryony Lemon (box), James McLaughlin (flute) & Joe Bardwell (guitar)
Bring your instrument and your dancing shoes. Robin Gracey will be coordinating some set dances with the session leaders.
Youth Session St. Philip’s Church: 20:00 – 21:45
Late Session The White Swan: 22:00 – 01:00
Sunday Pop-Up Gaeltacht & Session
8 February 2026, 11:30am – 2:00pm
The Rathmore Club
Cambridge Comhaltas will host an informal gathering to celebrate the Irish language, open to everyone from fluent speakers to complete beginners.
There will be a session from 1-2pm.
Sunday Concert
8 February 2026, 3pm – 4:15pm
St. Philips Church
The High Seas in concert.
Session to follow.
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Mill Road, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.
