Boston Celtic Music Festival
The 23rd annual Boston Celtic Music Festival, known as BCMFest, returns to Club Passim, Crystal Ballroom, The Burren, The Rockwell, and Arts at the Armory January 15-18, 2025. 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 2026 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.
CLICK HERE to see the full line-up and purchase tickets to all parts of the festival.
MUSIC SCHEDULE
Thursday, January 15th, 7pm-9pm. $30 / Members $25
First Round @ Club Passim
Thursday, January 15th, 7:30pm-11pm. $25
Boston Urban Ceilidh @ Crystal Ballroom at Somerville Theater
The Boston Urban Ceilidh (kālē) features participatory and social dances from the Cape Breton and Scottish traditions, all with live music. No experience is necessary – all dances will be taught and led by an in-time caller.
Friday, January 16th, 7pm-9pm. $30 / Members $25
Roots & Branches @ Club Passim
Friday, January 16th, 8pm-10pm. $30 / Members $25
Old Blind Dogs @ Arts at the Armory
Saturday, January 17th, 11am-6:15pm. $30
Dayfest @ Crystal Ballroom at Somerville Theater, The Burren, & The Rockwell
Saturday, January 17th, 8pm-9:30pm. $35
Nightcap @ Crystal Ballroom at Somerville Theater
Sunday, January 18th, 10am-2pm. free admission
Live Music Brunch @ The Burren
Sunday, January 18th, various times. various registration prices
workshops @ Passim School of Music
Old Blind Dogs
The musical evolution of Old Blind Dogs began in Aberdeen in 1992 with roots that grew from the eclectic music scene that flourished in the Granite City during the early 90’s. Four musicians from very different musical backgrounds came together to create a full-time professional touring band with the aim of showcasing the rich tradition of songs and tunes of Scotland on an international stage.
Like many of the early flag bearing Scottish folk bands the Old Blind Dogs line up has faced inevitable changes over the years but the core values at the band’s musical heart continue to beat strong. The current line up consists of original member Jonny Hardie (fiddle/vocals), Aaron Jones (cittern/guitar/ vocals), Donald Hay (percussion/vocals) and now joined by the brilliant piper/whistle player and internet sensation Elias Alexander for their US tours.
They comprise one of the hottest live tickets on the traditional Scottish music scene today touring all over the USA, Europe and at home. Inducted in to the BBC ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards ‘Trad Music Hall of Fame’
‘The Dogs’ have celebrated over thirty years on the road. Their fourteenth studio album ‘Knucklehead Circus’ is a joyous, uplifting and fun record full of compelling energy and intoxicating rhythm on which ‘OBD’ continue to innovate within their tradition while faithfully revealing its essence. The band are currently working on a new record to be released in 2026. Here’s to many more years of Old Blind Dogs!
For this special concert in Boston they will be joined by the amazing Sarah Collins on fiddle!
