Article Contributed by CK Communications Group
Published on 2026-11-04
Passim has announced the lineup for the 24th annual Boston Celtic Music Festival (BCMFest), taking place January 14–17, 2027, at venues across Cambridge and Somerville, including Club Passim, Somerville Theatre, Crystal Ballroom, Arts at the Armory, The Rockwell, and Dragon's Lair.
The four-day festival will showcase a rich mix of traditional and contemporary Celtic music and dance, reflecting Greater Boston's deep connections to Irish, Scottish, Cape Breton, Québécois, and other Celtic cultures. The full lineup and tickets are available now through Passim's official BCMFest page.
A program of Passim, BCMFest has been celebrating the Boston area's vibrant Celtic community through music, dance, and storytelling since 2003. This year's festival will feature performances from internationally acclaimed acts including Gnoss, Open the Door for Three, and Cassie & Maggie, alongside other full-time professional touring acts and beloved local session musicians, highlighting performers from across generations and continents.
"For 24 years, Passim's Boston Celtic Music Festival has been a cornerstone of Boston's vibrant traditional music scene," says Summer McCall, BCMFest Festival Director. "We're proud to continue celebrating the remarkable depth of Celtic music and the talented musicians who keep these traditions alive throughout Greater Boston. Our festival is a reflection of the inclusive, thriving community we're so fortunate to be part of, and we're excited to bring together so many exceptional local and regional artists for BCMFest 2027."
The Brian O'Donovan Legacy Artist grant program was established to help Celtic acts planning upcoming tours in New England. Each year, one of the six grants is awarded to an artist performing at BCMFest. Forsyth is the 2026 recipient and will perform multiple times throughout the festival weekend.
"BCMFest is a perfect example of what Passim is all about: bringing a community together around music that matters. For 24 years, this festival has made Cambridge and Somerville a home for Celtic music and dance, and we couldn't be prouder to share this year's lineup," said Michael Busack, Passim Executive Director.
From traditional Celtic performances and contemporary folk interpretations to participatory dance events, intimate sessions, and workshops, the festival offers four days of music and community throughout Cambridge and Somerville.
The mission of Passim is to provide truly exceptional and interactive live musical experiences for both performers and audiences, to nurture artists at all stages of their careers, and to build a vibrant music community.
Passim does so through its legendary listening venue, music school, artist grants, and outreach programs. As a nonprofit since 1994, Passim carries on the heritage of its predecessors, the historic Club 47 (1958–1968) and for-profit Passim (1969–1994).
Passim cultivates a diverse mix of musical traditions, with an emphasis on the relationships among performers and audiences, and between teachers and students. Located in Harvard Square, Passim serves Cambridge and the broader region by featuring local, national, and international artists.
Its ultimate goal is to help the performing arts flourish and thereby enrich the lives of community members. For more information, visit www.passim.org.
Thursday, January 14
7:00 p.m. – First Round
Club Passim | Cambridge, MA
The First Round concert provides a night of the more traditional sounds of Celtic music in Boston, featuring Pine Tree Flyers, Hanneke Cassel, and Nathan Gourley, Laura Feddersen & David McKindley-Ward.
7:30 p.m. – Boston Urban Ceilidh
Crystal Ballroom at Somerville Theatre | Somerville, MA
The Boston Urban Ceilidh (kālē), always one of the most popular events, features participatory and social dances from the New England, Irish, 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 a caller.
Dance bands will include Good Company + Friends, and Adam Hendey, Jesse Ofgang, Simon Lace, and Elias Cardoso. A performance from Rebecca McGowan's School of Irish Dance will take place between the Contra and Ceilidh dances.
Friday, January 15
7:00 p.m. – Roots and Branches
Club Passim | Cambridge, MA
The Roots and Branches concert presents a taste of the dynamic sounds and different styles heard in Boston's Celtic music community. With elements rooted in Celtic traditions, the evening's music will branch out into different territories sharing commonalities, including Cape Breton, Castilian, traditional folk, and more.
Performances by Forsyth, Cassie & Maggie, and San Miguel Fraser.
8:00 p.m. – Gnoss with Adam Hendey Band
Arts at the Armory | Somerville, MA
A performance from the award-winning, four-piece, neo-traditional Scottish folk band Gnoss, known for their rich vocal harmonies, crisp acoustic instrumentation, and thoughtful songwriting. Adam Hendey Band opens.
Saturday, January 16
11:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. – Dayfest
Crystal Ballroom, The Rockwell, and Dragon's Lair | Davis Square, Somerville, MA
Saturday's Dayfest offers more than six hours of entertainment, from mid-morning until 6 p.m. Artists will present all manner of Celtic music, from classic traditional to contemporary sounds.
Performances by San Miguel Fraser, Elias Cardoso, Riko Matsuoka, Nathan Gourley, Laura Feddersen & David McKindley-Ward, Mossy Banks, Adam Hendey Band, Casey Murray & Molly Tucker, Boston Scottish Fiddle Orchestra, Sean Diehl and Noah Kelly, Rose Clancy Trio, Clare Fraser Trio, Rachel Clemente & Dan Houghton, Laurel Martin and Fern Tamagini-O'Donnell with Dan Faiella, The Hayden Stern Band, UnReel, Valerie & Ellery, and more.
7:00 p.m. – Nightcap
Somerville Theatre | Somerville, MA
This year's edition of Saturday's Nightcap will take place at the Somerville Theatre in Davis Square and will feature fresh sets and collaborations from some of the festival's featured acts, including Open the Door for Three, Cassie & Maggie, Katie McNally & Neil Pearlman, Adam Hendey Band, Nathan Gourley, Laura Feddersen & David McKindley-Ward, and Forsyth.
Music Director for the Nightcap will be Adam Hendey.
Sunday, January 17
11:00 a.m. – BCMFest Workshops
Passim School of Music | Cambridge, MA
The Passim School of Music will host three BCMFest workshops, which will be announced and available for sign-ups in the coming weeks.
24th Annual Boston Celtic Music Festival (BCMFest)
January 14–17, 2027
Cambridge & Somerville, Massachusetts
Participating Venues:
Club Passim
Somerville Theatre
Crystal Ballroom
Arts at the Armory
The Rockwell
Dragon's Lair
