The internationally renowned North Atlantic Fiddle Convention (NAFCo) will return to Aberdeen this June, bringing a vibrant programme of music, dance and cultural exchange to the north-east - made possible by an extraordinary wave of support from local communities, businesses and individuals.
Taking place in a challenging funding climate for the arts, NAFCo 2026 has already secured almost £500,000 in combined cash and in-kind support from regional partners, including support from Aberdeen City Council’s Culture Investment Programme and Event Scotland’s National Events Funding Programme, alongside a live public crowdfunding campaign helping to ensure the festival’s return. In addition, Creative Scotland’s Traditional Arts & Culture Fund has awarded a small grant to support NAFCo’s lunch time concerts.
Founded by the Elphinstone Institute at the University of Aberdeen, NAFCo has built a global reputation since its launch in 2001, with previous editions held across Scotland, Ireland and Canada. Its return to Aberdeen reinforces the region’s place at the heart of the North Atlantic’s rich fiddle and dance traditions.
NAFCo is a celebration of both heritage and future talent. A cornerstone of the festival is its International Youth Event, which provides a platform for young musicians and dancers from across the North Atlantic to collaborate, learn and perform.
One notable success story is Hugo Franco, a Galician guitarist who first attended NAFCo as a youth participant in 2018. He now returns to the festival stage as part of an acclaimed duo with Scottish fiddler Roo Geddes, having gone on to perform at major events and win a Danny Kyle Award at Celtic Connections.
Alongside emerging artists, NAFCo 2026 will welcome leading figures from the traditional music world. Audiences can look forward to performances and workshops from internationally celebrated duo Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas, whose long-standing collaboration is closely tied to the festival’s history.
The programme will feature concerts, workshops and collaborative performances across Aberdeen and the wider region, highlighting both local traditions and the shared cultural heritage of North Atlantic communities.
Festival Director Laura Harrington said: “In a time when arts funding is under real pressure, the level of support from across Aberdeen and the wider region has been remarkable.
“NAFCo has always been about connection - between countries, communities and generations of musicians. This year, that spirit is reflected not only in the programme, but in the way the festival itself has been made possible.
“With its unique blend of world-class performance and grassroots participation, NAFCo 2026 promises to once again transform Aberdeen into a hub of traditional music and cultural exchange.”
Tickets for NAFCo are now available through Aberdeen Performing Arts.