Albany’s maritime spirit comes alive this July, as it welcomes a two-week long heritage festival full of shanty singing, winter brews and hearty food.
Running from July 5 – 16, the Albany Maritime Festival gives visitors and local community alike the opportunity to explore the area’s nautical and cultural history alongside a range of events and activities designed to keep away the winter blues.
From July 5 – 9, celebrate the culture of Kinjarling’s (Albany’s) Noongar-Menang traditional owners and their own maritime connections with a dedicated Cultural Hub, coinciding with NAIDOC Week. Immerse yourself in the world’s oldest living culture through a range of activities including sharing Dreamtime stories, Women’s Weaving workshops and traditional cooking demonstrations with kangaroo and damper.
The heart of the festival, the Albany Boatshed, will have something for the entire family, featuring artisan markets and boutique stalls, as well as plenty of activities just for kids.
Coming to town between July 9 - 11 is the International Folk’n Shanty Festival, a music festival dedicated to breathing life into the melodic tales of mariners. More than 40 different shanty singing groups from across Australia will bring their music to multiple venues across Albany, with songs to suit any taste and age.
The Galley street festival brings cosy vibes to the centre of town on July 10, featuring street eats, fire pits, live music and wintery drinks designed to keep away the cold.
Also taking part are Albany’s Historic Whaling Station, Museum of the Great Southern, Princess Royal Fortress and Southern Edge Arts, all of which are hosting their own maritime-themed events during the festival.
According to Albany Mayor Dennis Wellington, “This will be the first year we’ve had the Maritime Festival and it has really been a community exercise to come together and plan something that is unique to Albany and can attract visitors at a time of year when tourism is traditionally slow.”
“It’s a great opportunity for us to celebrate Albany’s maritime history and build on the success of the Folk’n Shanty Festival in recent years,” he said.
You can find more information on the Maritime Festival here.
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