The fifth annual Old Leigh Shanty will be held over the weekend 15th to 17th May 2026 with four and twenty shanty crews from all over the country making the journey to perform free of charge at venues throughout the atmospheric old fishing village. 

The shanty crews will be joined by several local folk artistes and bands as well as a morris side or two and a whole load of pirates. 

The weekend starts with a shanty sing around at The Crooked Billet, then from noon on Saturday there will be performances at No 1 Cocklesheds, Billet Wharf, The Peterboat, Strand Wharf, The Boatyard Restaurant, The Olde Smack, The Mayflower PH and Victoria Wharf.

Thanks to support from Leigh on Sea Lions, Leigh Town Council, SK Bars and Priority Management, all the entertainment will be free of charge.