Wheels Festival 2026
20th June 2026
Our Major Event the Great Yarmouth Wheels Festival returns on 20th and 21st June 2026 Click Here for More Details
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Visit the Great Yarmouth Maritime Festival from 7 to 8 September 2019
The famous Great Yarmouth Maritime Festival is a fantastic free two-day event found on historic South Quay with ships to go aboard, live shanty folk music, fun street theatre exhibitions and demonstrations for visitors to explore. Take a look at the pages below to see boats and entertainment that visited us last year.
Great Yarmouth Maritime Festival 2018. Picture: James Bass Photography
Folk music and shanty songs at the Great Yarmouth Maritime Festival
Shanty and folk music is performed throughout the Great Yarmouth Maritime Festival on three stages as the town celebrates its proud maritime past and maritime future. Shanty songs were traditionally sung by sailors as they raised the mainsheet and set sail on their long journeys at sea.The musical programme is managed by Great Yarmouth based Sue and John Griffiths who have been performing as shanty singers, The Mollyhawks, since the late 1990s.
See ships, boats and visiting vessels at Great Yarmouth Maritime Festival
A fascinating range of vessels moor alongside South Quay during Great Yarmouth Maritime Festival for visitors to see. Additional visiting vessels are currently being confirmed with the Habourmaster, so watch this space for more details.
Unfortunately, some ships and boats have to duck out at the last minute, due to operational commitments.
Visit the Heritage Quarter
Come along to the Heritage Quarter, and experience the history of Great Yarmouth
Entertainment & Free Children’s activities at Great Yarmouth Maritime Festival
As well as non-stop shanty music from a wide range of bands, the Great Yarmouth Maritime Festival has a variety of street theatre, costumed characters and performances of all sorts to keep you entertained. We’ve got the kids covered too with plenty of free activities and crafts.
Maritime crafts, demonstrations and exhibitors
Watch all sorts of demonstrations at the Maritime Festival on South Quay, With lots of fascinating stalls to look at, including some great exhibitions and activities to take part in.
Food & Drink at Great Yarmouth Maritime Festival
A varied selection of food and drink is available at Great Yarmouth Maritime Festival.
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