New venue for 2026 Harbour Sessions programme

Funding has been secured for another series of free live music events featuring local musicians - and this year it will include performances in The Edge, Cumbria's Coastal Activities Centre, which opened in October.

Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners (WHC), a not-for-profit organisation which owns, manages and maintains the town’s 400-year-old harbour, has once again secured a grant from the Robin Rigg Community Fund to present a live music series from early spring 2026 to late summer.

These will showcase talented local singer-songwriters and provide free entertainment for locals and visitors alike.

This is the third year of this summer series and the first event will run on Sunday 17th May, from 12noon for approximately two hours.

The first two performers confirmed are Whitehaven's Solway Shanty Crew and WHC's own singing CEO Deanne Shallcross with her husband Neil on keyboards!  

Deanne said: “We are extremely grateful to have been supported by the Solway Firth Partnership with yet another grant from the Robin Rigg Community Fund. 

"I'm even more delighted that I'm once again able to be part of a live music programme on the harbourside myself!

“The live music sessions are part of a wider events programme by WHC that's aimed at encouraging more people to visit the harbour, to see it used differently, to increase dwell times, and for us to give back to local residents and businesses, with the latter in turn benefiting from increased footfall not just around the harbour but hopefully the town itself.

"It's particularly exciting this year to be able to host the majority of these Harbour Sessions live music events in The Edge, making use of the lovely stage in the café area and hopefully introducing new audiences to what else is on offer, supported by Osprey Management Group who are the commercial operators of the facility.

“We believe everyone should have access to varied cultural opportunities no matter where they live. We hope our series of free activities will help raise spirits and promote creative engagement among diverse communities as well as across the generations."

Part of the funding will also contribute towards WHC presenting a local live music stage under The Hub during a new festival this year, Whitehaven Weekender, which is being organised across August bank holiday weekend in partnership with Rosehill and NEAD CIC, following previous collaborations for Harbour Fest and Pride by the Harbourside. This year's dates are August 29th and 30th.

Enjoy the first Harbour Sessions of 2026 at The Edge on Sunday 17th May from 12noon (no need to book).

Details of future dates and performers will be publicised soon.