Albany’s annual Maritime Festival brings winter fun for all ages with month-long program

The annual Maritime Festival returns to Albany this week with Foreshore Friday kicking off the month-long event.

From live music events to expert talks and school holiday activities for children, the City of Albany-run festival, which partners each year with the Albany Folk ‘n Shanty Festival, serves up something for everyone.

“We’re trying to bring the fun into winter in Albany,” event co-ordinator Anna Kiddle said.

“It’s not just Albany rain in the winter, there’s plenty to do and so many great events to go to over the month of the festival.”

This will be the Maritime Festival’s fifth year. Ms Kiddle said the festival has grown in size, with Foreshore Friday selling out in 2024 and close to doing the same this year.

“I think it’s the variety of events that keeps people coming back for the Maritime Festival,” she said.

“It’s a great event all-round, it’s a great driver to bring people to Albany in the winter months, and we get so many local businesses and the community comes out and about, and we’ve got a massive school holiday program for the kids as well.

“It really does have something for everyone and it’s a great way to bring the community together.

“There are more than 20 local businesses involved, and I don’t have to really ask if businesses around town want to be involved anymore, the answer is always ‘yes’ and people just jump at the chance to be involved.”

The festival kicks off with Foreshore Friday on July 4, an adults-only concert held at the Albany Boatshed headlined by Marksman Lloyd, Tammy London, Cousin Brandon and DJ Kevin.

The Cannabis Botanical Distillery will be serving up the drinks, with winter warmers including mulled wine and hot toddies on offer alongside their regular crowd-pleasers.

All At Sea Saturday is to follow at the same venue, a family event featuring local artisans, musicians and the St Ayles skiffs rowing around the harbour.

The city will again be filled with music with Live at the Town Hall on Saturday night, an all-ages gig at the Albany Town Hall on July 5 with Noah Dillon, Ullah, Blush, Spici Water, and Freak Maestro giving attendees a taste of WA’s up-and-coming indie music scene.

Later in the month, the Albany International Folk ‘n Shanty Festival starts on July 11 with events until July 13 including the folk ‘n shanty fayre at the town square, and the annual folk ‘n shanty tug of war.

The WA Police Force is taking over Middleton Beach on July 20 for its annual polar plunge.

The Albany Public Library, the Historic Whaling Station, and Vancouver Arts Centre will also be hosting creative workshops and exhibitions across the month for all ages.