Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival

General information

Established as the region’s premier calendar entertainments event since 1979, the Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival is Scotland’s largest rural multi-artform festival with over 200 artists performing at 85 events in 48 venues across the full breadth of the region.

Each year, the festival involves a lively and varied programme, showcasing an eclectic range of top-billed performances in music, drama, dance, arts and literature in a selection of venues from the tiny, intimate Swallow Theatre to the grandeur of the Easterbrook Hall and a wide outdoor stage on the banks of the River Nith.

The festival has an excellent reputation for bringing top quality world-class performances to rural locations at the end of May each year.

Musical events range from unforgettable operas, to classical, jazz, traditional, contemporary and world music that are usually only experienced in the world’s city venues.

Dance, the world of books and ground-breaking theatrical performances are also mainstays of the yearly programmes, as are some well-established mini festivals in literature and song and an exciting and lively fringe.
get involved

New members and patrons are always very welcome. Benefits include priority booking and an invitation to the Festival Opening, with Patrons receiving a free ticket to a Festival event. Please click on Membership in the menu or contact us for full details. We are also extremely grateful for the support of both local and national sponsors – businesses who contribute greatly to the delivery of quality events that the region can be proud of.

We look forward to seeing you at the Festival!