About the Festival

The festival was founded in 1996 to raise awareness of the region's outstanding maritime heritage. What began as a weekend event in Whitby has grown to encompass a full ten day programme of musical and related events at venues throughout Cleveland. The event is backed each year by Norwich Union, Cleveland Centre, Hill Street Centre, The University of Teesside, Heritage Coast, North York Moors national Park, Scarborough Borough Council, Marske Residents' Association, The Castlegate Quay Trust and many others.