So you’re finally going to a Sea Shanty festival? Brave soul! There are lots to choose from - Whether it’s Falmouth, Oostende, or places unknown, a bit of preparation makes the difference between a great day and a frustrating one.

Luckily, The Rusty Tubs - Gloucestershire’s rowdy band of shanty singers - have performed at enough festivals across the UK and Europe to learn the dos, the don’ts, and the “Why didn’t I bring a brolly?” lessons the hard way.

Firstly, what is a Sea Shanty festival? A Sea Shanty festival is a live music event, usually spread across multiple pubs or venues, where groups perform traditional and modern maritime songs. Unlike a typical concert, audiences are usually encouraged to sing along, making it a highly participatory experience.

In short: it’s part gig, part pub crawl, and part group sing-along.

Most of the shanty festivals we've performed at run all day and well into the night. Expect overlapping performances, busy venues, and a strong community atmosphere where joining in is part of the experience.

How to Plan For a Sea Shanty Festival

Heading to your first Sea Shanty festival without a plan is a bit like setting sail without a map. You might make it, but it won’t be pretty. So, a little preparation goes a long way.

Start by reviewing the programme and mapping out where and when your priority acts are performing. Most festivals publish schedules on their websites in advance, but you can often get printed programmes that not only make a great memento but are useful because phone signal can be patchy in crowded town centres. Popular groups can fill a venue 20–30 minutes before they start, so arriving “just on time” often means not getting in at all.

Food and timing matter more than you might expect. Plan when and where you’ll eat, whether that’s a quick pasty between sets or a proper sit-down meal. It’s easy to lose track of time moving between venues, and long queues are common at peak hours. A bit of foresight here means you won’t miss a great set because you’re stuck waiting for a battered sausage and large chips.

Quick Plan: What to do before a Sea Shanty festival

Check the official festival programme
Pick 2–3 must-see acts
Note venue locations and walking times
Identify good places to eat and drink (crucial) near each venue

Build in flexibility. Some of the best moments come from stumbling into a packed pub where everyone’s already mid-chorus.

There’s fun around every corner at a shanty festival!

Accommodation Tip

Book early! Especially for major festivals like Falmouth, where accommodation can sell out months in advance.

The Rusty Tubs have learned this the hard way. Our first time at Falmouth ended with us in a set of yurts: charming in hindsight, but less so in a downpour and not ideal for five grown men after a long night of drinking! A bit of forward planning makes a noticeable difference.

Once you have your day roughly mapped out, the next job is making sure you have the right kit for it.

What to Pack for a Sea Shanty Festival (Essential Kit List)

Packing for a Sea Shanty festival is a balance between being prepared and carrying too much. You’ll be moving between crowded venues, often on foot, so everything you bring should earn its place.

Dress for the weather and the setting. Layers work best for colder months, while summer festivals call for sun protection and lighter clothing. Space inside pubs is limited, so avoid bulky items or anything you’d be worried about losing.

A pewter tankard (or any reusable cup, really) is one of the most useful items you can bring. It reduces plastic waste, gives you something to carry between venues, and fits the spirit of the event. You can often find old tankards in charity shops for a reasonable price and, whilst the most handsome tankards are often over 100 years old, we’d recommend finding one made after 1974, as anything earlier can contain a significant amount of lead!

Comfortable shoes are essential. You’ll be standing for long periods, walking between venues, and maybe even dancing a jig or two. Poor footwear will limit how much you can enjoy the day.

Quick Checklist: What to Bring to a Sea Shanty Festival

If you only remember one thing, make it all of these:

Comfortable shoes
Refillable water bottle
Tankard or reusable cup
Weather-appropriate clothing
Small bag for essentials
Cash (some venues still prefer it)

Packing well means you can focus on the music, not on what you’ve forgotten. The next challenge is navigating a crowded pub without annoying everyone in it.

Shanty Festival Etiquette (Pub & Crowd Tips)

Pubs are at the heart of many Sea Shanty festivals, and that means shared spaces, packed rooms, and a bit of unspoken etiquette. Knowing how to behave in a busy venue helps everyone enjoy the music and keeps the atmosphere friendly.

At the bar, be ready before you reach the front. Know what you want, pay promptly, and step aside once you’ve been served. Long queues are common during festival weekends, and one person dithering over the menu can hold up half the pub.

In the crowd, be aware of the space you take up. Avoid blocking doorways, barging into a room just before a set starts, or planting yourself where no one behind you can see. If a pub is already packed, it is often better to wait for the next session than force your way in and make the room less comfortable for everyone else.

While most venues now take cards, carrying a little cash is still sensible. Some older pubs and temporary festival bars prefer it, and it is easier to have it ready than fumble around once the singing has started.

Most importantly, remember that shanty festivals are social, but they are still performances. Chat between songs, meet new people, and enjoy the atmosphere, but do not talk over singers during a set. Good pub manners and good audience manners are part of what make shanty festivals feel welcoming rather than chaotic.

Good festival manners are not just about getting to the bar, although the bar is often where the fun begins. They also shape how you take part in the music itself.

Pubs get especially packed (and out of focus) when The Rusty Tubs are performing!

How to Join In at a Shanty Festival

Sea Shanty festivals are not purely spectator events. They work best when the audience joins in at the right moments. Singing along, clapping, and answering a call-and-response line all add to the atmosphere, but good participation is about supporting the performance rather than competing with it.

When to Join In

Call-and-response sections
Choruses and repeated refrains
Verses (if the vibes feel right)

When to Hold Back

Quiet songs or solo moments
When your voice would overpower the performers

A good rule is to watch the room and follow the lead of both the singers and the audience. If everyone is joining in, join in. If the room has gone quiet and focused, that is your cue to listen.

A bit of banter with the band is part of the fun, and most groups enjoy a laugh with the crowd. But remember: you are part of the audience, not an extra member of the act. Cheer, clap, and sing when it adds to the moment, but avoid shouting over the performers or trying to turn yourself into the main event.

If you are feeling brave, a little swaying or dancing is usually welcome, especially during lively songs. Just be mindful of the space around you. Packed pubs are not the place for flailing arms, sudden spins, or anything likely to send someone’s pint flying. Daevid, in particular, should take note.

Sea Shanty festivals thrive on shared energy. Join in with enthusiasm, read the room, and you will help create the kind of atmosphere that makes people want to come back next year.

Extra Tips for First-Time Shanty Festival Goers

A few of the best shanty festival moments come from staying flexible. If one pub is packed, move on and come back later. Smaller venues often have the best atmosphere, and some of the most memorable performances happen in the places you almost walked past.

Move Between Venues Strategically

If a pub is full, try the next one and return later
Smaller venues often have the best atmosphere
Do not spend the whole day in one place
Allow time to walk between venues, especially in busy towns

Follow the Sound

If you hear a crowd singing from halfway down the street, it is usually worth investigating. At shanty festivals, the loudest room is often the most fun.

Talk to People

Sea Shanty festivals are unusually social events. You will meet regular attendees, performers between sets, and locals who know exactly where to head next. A short conversation can help you find your next session, your next pint, or your new favourite group.

There’s nowhere better than a shanty festival for making friends or having a laugh.

FAQ: Sea Shanty Festivals

What happens at a Sea Shanty festival?

A Sea Shanty festival usually features multiple groups performing across pubs, streets, and other venues throughout the day. Audiences are encouraged to sing along, so the atmosphere is more social and participatory than at a typical concert.

Do you need to know the songs?

No. Most Sea Shanty choruses are easy to pick up, and part of the fun is learning them as you go. Even if you do not sing, you can still enjoy the atmosphere.

Are Sea Shanty festivals suitable for beginners?

Yes. Sea Shanty festivals are usually very welcoming, even if you have never attended one before. You do not need specialist knowledge to enjoy them.

How busy do Sea Shanty festivals get?

Popular festivals can get very busy, especially in well-known pubs and during peak evening performances. Some venues may fill up 20 to 30 minutes before a set starts.

What should you bring to a Sea Shanty festival?

Bring comfortable shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, water, and a small bag for essentials. A reusable cup or tankard and a little cash can also be useful.

Are Sea Shanty festivals family-friendly?

Absolutely! Just be aware that later night sessions can be rowdier and boozier, and obviously, many pubs operate a strict over-18s policy, especially in the evening. It is also worth remembering that some songs include innuendo, and smaller pub venues are not always ideal for pushchairs.

Do Sea Shanty festivals usually cost money?

Many Sea Shanty festivals are free to attend, with your main costs being food, drink, travel, and the occasional charity bucket. Some festivals now charge for certain evening performances or special events, either to raise money or to help cover running costs.

In Conclusion

Your first Sea Shanty festival will probably be a little chaotic, a little crowded, and a lot of fun. Plan ahead, pack wisely, mind your manners in busy pubs, and join in when the moment is right, and you will get far more out of the day.

Sea Shanty festivals are not just about watching live music. They are about singing with strangers, discovering new groups, and being part of the atmosphere. That mix of music, humour, community, and mild disorder is exactly what makes them memorable.

And if you happen to spot The Rusty Tubs on stage or in the crowd, do say hello. We always enjoy meeting fellow shanty fans!

Sea Shanty Festival Survival Guide: Tips for Your First Festival