The Highlands are set to swing next spring as Inverness welcomes the first ever Inverness International Blues Festival, a brand-new celebration of world-class music coming to the city’s historic Northern Meeting Park.
The festival will take place on Saturday 28 March 2026, running from 11am until late, and promises to bring the authentic sound of the Blues to the heart of the Highlands.
To visit Inverness International Blues Festival official website please click HERE
Seven legendary acts from across the world will take to the stage, blending soulful American roots with the best of British and European Blues talent.
Provost of Inverness, Councillor Glynis Campbell Sinclair, announced the line-up, describing it as a first-class collection of international acts and a major moment for the city’s live music scene.
The line-up includes The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Southern Avenue, Robbin Kapsalis and Oscar Wilson with The Giles Robson Band, Alvin Youngblood Hart’s Muscle Theory, West Weston’s Bluesonics, The Future Shape of Sound, and Alice Armstrong.
Councillor Campbell Sinclair said the festival reflects the city’s ongoing commitment to attract major cultural events.
“This exciting new festival is in the spirit of our commitment to deliver an events programme that brings new talent and vibrancy to the city,” she said.
“It’s all made possible by the Inverness Common Good Fund and generous sponsors.”
The event is being supported by HAVENTUS Port of Ardersier, Visit Inverness Loch Ness, and the Highland Hotels Association, with local Blues promoter Kevin Hillier helping secure the international line-up.
Hillier said the festival will capture the spirit of the great Blues gatherings of the past.
“We’re taking this festival back to the Blues festivals of old, bringing together some of the best international Blues acts seen in the UK for years,” he said.
Organisers expect the festival to attract visitors from across Scotland and beyond, boosting tourism and hospitality during the quieter season.
Ellen Fogel Walker, Destination Director for Visit Inverness Loch Ness, said the event would help establish Inverness as a year-round destination.
“We’re delighted to work in partnership to bring a new and exciting event to the city’s calendar,” she said.
“It will raise awareness of the beautifully renovated Northern Meeting Park and strengthen Inverness as a cultural and conference destination.”
Craig Ewan, Chair of the Highland Hotels Association, said the festival could become a signature event for the Highlands.
“Our members are thrilled to support this festival, which will boost the local economy and showcase the city’s vibrancy at the quieter end of the season,” he said.
“The Northern Meeting Park offers the perfect setting for what we hope will become a highlight of Scotland’s cultural calendar.”
Visitors can expect great food, family-friendly entertainment, and local drink stalls alongside the live performances, with the Northern Meeting Park’s new seating areas ready to welcome music fans from far and wide.
Early bird tickets are on sale now at invernessbluesfestival.com.
