BordersFest – Galashiels, Scotland 2026

Overview

BordersFest is a family-friendly music festival in the Scottish Borders, celebrating new and exciting sounds while providing a platform for local musicians. Held in the Public Park on Abbotsford Road, it blends entertaining live performances with community spirit, attracting over 15,000 attendees for a weekend of musical discovery. Organized as an affordable, pocket-friendly event, it emphasizes people and music over profit, with under-16s free and adult weekend wristbands at just £5.00. Since its inception, it has grown into a beloved tradition where families picnic, dance, and immerse themselves in diverse beats from homegrown talent to up-and-coming UK acts, all against the charming backdrop of Galashiels’ green spaces.

For 2026, the festival returns on September 12–13, promising 22 brilliant acts across two stages: the BordersFest Blair Main Stage and the Songwriters Hub Acoustic Stage. Expect a mix of folk, indie, pop, and acoustic sets that highlight emerging artists, blending the joy of new music with family fun like Stuart’s Family Fun Fair rides. It’s more than a festival—it’s a gateway to the Borders’ vibrant scene, where entertainment meets inspiration in a relaxed, inclusive atmosphere.

Event Highlights

• Main activities or performances: 22 acts on the main and acoustic stages, featuring folk, indie, pop, and emerging UK talent; live music from noon to 10pm Saturday and 7pm Sunday, with opportunities for dancing and sing-alongs.
• Special traditions or features: Annual focus on musical discovery and local showcase, with picnic-friendly policies (bring your own food and alcohol, no glass); family-oriented fun fair with low-priced rides for all ages; tradition of blending entertainment with community, supported by Borders Buses and ScotRail for easy access.
• Unique attractions for visitors: Sun-dappled park setting for picnics; fun fair rides suiting all age groups; potential celebrity photo ops (e.g., Paw Patrol characters); craft stalls and markets adding to the festive, low-key vibe.

About this event

• Founded to bring fresh music to the Scottish Borders, evolving into a pocket-friendly family staple with 100+ shows and 200+ memorable performances across editions.
• Focuses on new sounds from diverse backgrounds, supporting local and up-and-coming artists through two stages, with an emphasis on entertaining, inclusive programming.
• Held in Galashiels’ Public Park, a central green space ideal for families, with no parking on-site but ample nearby options and direct bus/train access.
• Attracts thousands with its affordable model—£5 adult weekend wristbands and free under-16s—promoting music as entertainment over commerce.
• Organized with ties to local transport like Borders Buses and ScotRail, ensuring seamless travel from Edinburgh or Carlisle.
• Blends high-energy main stage sets with acoustic intimacy, fostering a community atmosphere where people and music take center stage.

Why attend

Attending BordersFest means surrendering to a Borders symphony where folk riffs ripple across the park, families frolic on fun fair rides, and your picnic blanket becomes a front-row seat to indie anthems under open skies—it’s the effortless joy of discovering a new favorite tune while kids chase balloons, all wrapped in Galashiels’ welcoming green that blends the thrill of live beats with the comfort of a community hootenanny. With its feather-light pricing and free-for-kids policy, it’s a no-fuss festival for melody mavens and multi-gen groups, sparking those spontaneous claps and chats that turn strangers into sing-along sidekicks.

Beyond the stages, you’re nurturing a regional revival that spotlights local talent and amplifies Borders’ cultural hum, your weekend a quiet cheer for affordable access in a world of pricey passes. Whether you’re a folk fiend foraging for fresh folk or a family chasing carnival chaos, the festival’s fusion of acoustic allure and main-stage magic delivers those horizon-hugging highs—perfect for a September jaunt where music meets meadow in Scotland’s gentle south.

Date & Duration

• Dates: September 12 – September 13, 2026
• Duration: 2 days

Venue / Location

• Main venue: Public Park, a spacious green space ideal for stages, picnics, and family fun with easy town access.
• Additional venues: No formal additional sites; all activities centered at the park, with nearby bus stops at the gates.
• Main event Google location address: Public Park, Abbotsford Road, Galashiels TD1 3DF, Scotland

Ticket Information

• Tickets are sold online via the official website (bordersfest.com) or in-person at local outlets; advance purchase recommended for wristbands.
• Entry is paid for adults; under-16s free to encourage family attendance.
• Ticket pricing in USD only: Adult weekend wristband $6 USD.
• Minimum and maximum tickets pricing: Minimum $6 USD (adult weekend wristband); maximum $6 USD (no tiered pricing).
• No lottery system; first-come, first-served with no capacity limits noted.
• Special seating or VIP options: No VIP; general admission with flexible picnic/blanket spots for all.

Booking with Euro Travelo

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Contact Information

• Email: info@bordersfest.com (general inquiries, wristband requests, and support).
• Phone: Not specified; use email or website form for responses within 48 hours.
• Website: https://bordersfest.com (full program, bookings, and updates).
• Social Media: @bordersfest (Facebook for announcements, photos, and community engagement).
• Key Staff: Festival Committee (contact via email for programming queries).
• Press/Volunteers: Press inquiries to info@bordersfest.com; volunteer opportunities via website form (TBD for 2026, English support available).

Getting There

• Nearest airports: Edinburgh Airport (EDI), 40 miles away (50-minute drive via A68); Newcastle Airport (NCL) for flights, about 70 miles (1-hour drive).
• Public transport: Trains from London Kings Cross to Edinburgh (4 hours via LNER), then bus to Galashiels (1 hour); local Borders Buses (X95, 67, 68, 73, 74) stop right at the gates.
• Driving: Access via A7/A68, with long-stay parking at Curry Road or Netherdale (10–15 minutes walk); no on-site parking.
• Cycling/walking: Galashiels’ paths are bike-friendly; racks at park; Edinburgh Waverley train to Galashiels station (15-minute walk or bus to gates).
• Accessibility: Wheelchair-friendly park with ramps; taxis from station ($15 via apps); contact for priority access.

Accommodation Options

• Budget stays: Premier Inn Galashiels (town center, from $80/night, breakfast included); hostels like Galashiels YHA ($50/night dorms).
• Mid-range: The Buccleuch Arms (historic inn, $100–130/night, family rooms); The Auld Mill ($110/night, parking).
• Luxury: The Three Hills Hotel (countryside, $150+/night, spa options); Marmion House ($140/night, gourmet).
• Festival packages: Bundled stays via VisitScottishBorders.com with B&Bs; camping at nearby Selkirk ($60/night pitches).
• Booking tips: Book early for September; check scottishborders.gov.uk for deals.

Reviews

• Borders bliss in bloom—folk frenzy on the green, family frolic from first strum to final fade.
• Galashiels’ melodic meadow magic; acoustic allure and indie ignition, a sonic sundance that sang our souls.
• Festival fusion perfection—picnic paradise with pop perfection, a Scottish symphony that stole our stride.