About the Festival
A refreshed approach
We changed our name in 2020 from Dunbar Traditional Music Festival to Dunbar Music Festival to better reflect our diverse musical programme and continue to appeal to a broad audience.
In 2021 we took a new approach in response to the pandemic, with outdoor ticketed gigs at the Harbour Battery as well as the usual free line up in pubs across town.
In 2022 we returned to indoor venues, but continue to try new things; blending ticketed and free events as we bring bigger acts to our beautiful seaside town and continue to deliver a celebration of quality, diverse live music.
Celebrating live music for over 30 years
Since 1988, live music has rung out across our town each September, from pubs and restaurants to local church halls with ceilidhs, pipe band parades and pop up gigs on the High Street. As our town continues to grow and evolve, so does the Dunbar Music Festival.
Established as a celebration of traditional Scottish and Irish folk music in 1988, over the years the Festival’s range of music has broadened to appeal to a wider range of tastes. Traditional folk music from Scotland still features strongly as part of a diverse musical programme which brings together local talent and acts with an international.
Get involved
In addition to attracting recognised performers from various musical genres and backgrounds, our mission is to create even greater opportunities to showcase and support homegrown musical talent being nurtured through the Dunbar School of Music and other local creative organisations.
We welcome support from local businesses and community organisations, as well as enthusiastic music fans around our town.
Get in touch with us if you'd like to learn more
Our committee
The Festival is not-for-profit, and run by an enthusiastic group of music-loving volunteers. We rely on the sponsorship and support of local businesses and donations made by the many people who attend our programme of free musical events each year. If you'd like to get involved, we would warmly welcome you to join us.