The 24th annual Boston Celtic Music Festival presented by Passim, known as BCMFest, returns to Club Passim, Somerville Theatre, Crystal Ballroom, Arts at the Armory, and The Rockwell January 14-17, 2027. Presented by Passim, a Cambridge-based non-profit that supports a vibrant music community through Club Passim, the Passim School of Music, artist grants and outreach initiatives.

The 2027 festival will showcase Greater Boston’s deep tradition of music, song and dance from Irish, Scottish, Cape Breton, Quebecois and other Celtic communities. BCMFest features acts that are traditional as well as others that draw on contemporary sounds and ideas; full-time, professional touring acts as well as local session musicians; highlighting performers from across the generations.

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– Thursday’s First Round concert provides a night of the more traditional sounds of Celtic music in Boston taking place at Club Passim with three individual groups in one concert setting.

Featuring: Hanneke Cassel; Pine Tree Flyers; and Nathan Gourley, Laura Feddersen & David McKindley-Ward

– Thursday’s Boston Urban Ceilidh (kālē) features participatory and social dances from the New England, Ireland, and Scottish traditions with a Contra Dance and Scottish Ceilidh, all with live music. No experience is necessary – all dances will be taught and led by an in-time caller. This evening event will be taking place at The Crystal Ballroom in Davis Square.

– Friday’s Roots and Branches concert presents a taste of the dynamic sounds and different styles to be heard in Boston’s Celtic music community and beyond at Club Passim. With rooted elements in Celtic, this evening’s music will branch out into different territories that share commonalities such as Traditional Folk, Cape Breton, and Central Spain.

Featuring: Cassie & Maggie; San Miguel Fraser; Forsyth

– Friday’s Arts at the Armory in Somerville, MA performance will feature the Scottish award winning Traditional band, Gnoss with Adam Hendey Band opening.

– Saturday’s Dayfest offers over six hours of entertainment, from mid-morning until 6 pm. Artists will be presenting all manner of Celtic music, from classic traditional to contemporary sounds. All events will take place in Davis Sq. in Somerville at The Crystal Ballroom, The Rockwell, and Dragon’s Lair Pizza (for our sessions).

Featuring: Boston Scottish Fiddle Orchestra; Casey Murray & Molly Tucker; Adam Hendey Band; Mossy Banks; Nathan Gourley, Laura Feddersen & David McKindley-Ward; Riko Matsuoka; Elias Cardoso; San Miguel Fraser; Rachel Clemente & Dan Houghton; Valerie & Ellery; UnReel; The Hayden Stern Band; Laurel Martin and Fern Tamagini-O’Donnell with Dan Faiella; Clare Fraser Trio; Rose Clancy Trio; Sean Diehl and Noah Kelly

– Saturday’s Nightcap will be a culminating celebration of Celtic music with several exceptional bands. This year’s Nightcap will be taking place at the beautiful 850 capacity Somerville Threatre in Davis Square.

Featuring: Open the Door for Three; Cassie & Maggie, Adam Hendey Band; Katie McNally & Neil Pearlman; Nathan Gourley, Laura Feddersen & David McKindley-Ward; and Forsyth.
Music Director for the Nightcap will be Adam Hendey.

For specific questions, please contact Festival Director Summer McCall at bcmfest@passim.org.