Brand-New Stage Revealed as Falmouth’s Sea Shanty Festival Expands for 2025

Four main stages confirmed for June’s beloved celebration of maritime music

The Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival has unveiled its plans for 2025, confirming four main stages and a strong lineup of sponsors to support one of the biggest free nautical music events in Europe.

This year’s festival will run from Friday 13th to Sunday 15th June, and promises to fill the Cornish harbour town with the unforgettable sounds of traditional and contemporary sea shanties.

New Main Stage Announced

A brand-new addition to the festival for 2025 is The Falmouth Main Stage, set on the front lawn of the historic Victorian hotel The Falmouth. Overlooking Castle Beach, this new stage offers not only an iconic backdrop but also a touch of history, as the hotel is currently being lovingly restored under local ownership as part of the Cornwall Hotel Collection.

Richard Gates, Chair of the Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival committee, said:

“After celebrating the festival’s twentieth anniversary last year, we thought it couldn’t get any bigger. However, with the addition of a brand-new main stage at The Falmouth, this year’s event is set to be our largest yet. With over eighty groups confirmed, Falmouth is gearing up for another truly unforgettable weekend of maritime music in June.”

Ben Young, Managing Director of The Falmouth, added:

“We are incredibly excited for The Falmouth to be joining the Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival as a main stage location for the first time. This festival is a celebration of our town’s rich maritime heritage, and we are honoured to provide a venue where visitors and locals alike can come together to enjoy the music and camaraderie. This partnership, alongside the continued support from our sister hotels, The Greenbank and The Alverton, underscores our collective commitment to supporting the cultural vibrancy of Falmouth and contributing to the festival’s continued success.”

The Four Main Stages for 2025

In addition to The Falmouth Main Stage, three returning favourites will be centrepieces of this year’s event:

• Seasalt Main Stage – Events Square
  Backed by Seasalt Cornwall, this lively central stage is a well-loved hub of music and energy, reflecting the brand’s close connection to Cornish heritage.

• Sharp’s Main Stage – Church Street Car Park
  Sponsored by Sharp’s Brewery, this stage offers an immersive atmosphere set against the backdrop of Falmouth Harbour, where festivalgoers can sing along to rousing performances in the heart of town.

• Greenbank Hotel Main Stage – Greenbank Quay
  A staple of the festival, this waterfront marquee venue offers sea views and a historic maritime vibe, perfectly complemented by the passing of classic vessels during performances.

RNLI Remains at the Heart of the Festival

The RNLI continues as the festival’s principal charity partner. Donations raised over the weekend will go directly towards supporting the lifesaving work the RNLI carries out around the Cornish coast.

The full lineup of performers is expected to be released in the coming months. For more information or to find out how to support the event, visit the official website: www.falmouthseashanty.co.uk.