We are excited to reveal the line up for the 5th Girvan Arts Festival, which runs from the 29th – 31st of May. We’ve got a great programme for you, with something for everyone, from writers, actors, artists, artisans, booksellers, sculptors, musicians and poets, and some with just a story to tell.
There are two exciting events for children at Girvan Library, and there are arts and crafts in the garden to get everybody’s creative juices flowing. In between events, you can chill out at the Cafe in the Garden and listen to the wonderful local musicians who will be playing in our musical intermissions.
There’s a crimewriting workshop for aspiring authors, and CRAG and Carraig Creatives are both holding events for the festival fringe.
It will be a great weekend. All we need is the weather!
Helen Humphries, Founder – Welcome to the 5th Girvan Arts Festival
It’s been a busy year with the operatic duo back for Christmas, a wonderful scratch night at Girvan Academy’s new theatre, and Davie Hunter’s musical play at The Wave in April. The Fringe Festival is developing, too, with workshops at The Wee School, and a weekend exhibition by the newly-formed Carraig Creatives at Wilson’s Mall.
Once again, we look forward to our Art Exhibition at The McKechnie, and to an exciting cultural weekend, with fabulous speakers on a variety of topics, from wellbeing to book-selling, at the Girvan Community Garden, so book your tickets now!
A message from Douglas Maxwell, our Patron.
I’m delighted to be able to welcome you to the Girvan Arts Festival 2026.
In a few short years the Festival has established itself as a joyous fixture in the town’s calendar as well as making its presence felt on a national level.
This year the events and activities are as impressive (and eclectic) as ever, with exciting appearances from writers, artists, musicians and dancers.
Thanks to the imagination and drive of a dedicated team of local volunteers, the Festival’s contribution to the year-round social life of Girvan has grown. Beyond this weekend there are workshops and debates, plays and scratch-nights and many more exciting plans for the future.
I’m sure you’ll find something here to inspire you.
Douglas Maxwell
Playwright
Funding 2026
We are delighted to announce that the National Lottery Community Fund will be supporting this year’s Girvan Arts Festival, including a number of one-off events.
We are hoping to put on two plays at the Girvan Academy theatre after the success of the Scratch Night in November.
The funding provided by TNL Community Fund allows us to keep ticket prices affordable while paying artists and performers a fair fee.
Recent Events
Burns’ Women – The Song and The Story
An Audience of 90 turned out to watch this wonderful ‘biopic’ in poetry, song and prose about Robert Burns, as seen through the eyes of some of the most significant women in his life. The cast was fantas
