Honouring our history and language with heart, soul and voice.

On Monday 6^th July 2026, Tynwald Court will gather at St. John’s for the formal proceedings that are the heart of the annual Tynwald Day Celebrations. Continuing hundreds of years of tradition, the Tynwald Day Ceremony will take place on Tynwald Hill, an ancient gathering site that reflects the Norse origins of the Isle of Man’s Parliament.

The official Ceremony begins at 11am with a service in the Royal Chapel, after which proceedings move outside to Tynwald Hill. Here, Acts of Tynwald are formally promulgated, in both English and Manx Gaelic. This remains a fundamental part of the Manx law-making process, as any Act not promulgated within 18 months of Royal Assent ceases to have effect.

Following our ancestors’ practice, members of the public may present a ‘Petition for Redress’ at Tynwald Hill to raise a matter of public interest. Those intending to submit a Petition are reminded that it must comply with the Standing Orders of Tynwald. Guidance for Petitioners is available online and potential petitioners are encouraged to seek advice from the Clerk of Tynwald as early as possible before finalising their petition.

Beyond the formal proceedings, the Isle of Man’s strong community and identity can be experienced throughout the day. 2026 is ‘Blein ny Gaelgey’, the official Year of the Manx Language, with Manx language and culture featured prominently across activities throughout the day. The Manx Tent with representatives from Yn Chruinnaght, the Manx Dialect Group and Mooinjer Veggey amongst others can be found close to the entrance of the Back Fairfield creating an enhanced Manx zone. Manx traditional dance, music and song group Perree Bane will perform in the same location at 10am, and here is where you will also find the Blein ny Gaelgey team helping everyone to gow ayrn – get involved.

Activities on the Back Fairfield start at 9am where you will also find local food vendors, artisan traders, information about charities, children’s rides and entertainment.

Other locations and activities away from the Hill welcome visitors from 10am with art and family-friendly crafts in the TynwaldFest Tent, the Viking encampment down in Cooil-y-Ree and the Global Village in the Arboretum.

At the conclusion of the Ceremony the focus moves to the Front Green and the Royal Chapel with music and dance performances scheduled across the afternoon from 2pm including the ever-growing Grand Manx Dance on the Front Green at 2.30pm.

The evening’s musical entertainment shifts to the TynwaldFest tent from 4pm where bands perform throughout the evening culminating with the Tynwald Day Ceili led by Kipperceili from 8.30pm. Food and drink will be available from the TynwaldFest tent from local suppliers Praase and Foraging Vinters.

At the end of the night everyone is invited back outside to Tynwald Hill where Ellan Vannin Pipes & Drums will bring the day to a close at 10pm performing the Manx National Anthem.

The President of Tynwald, The Hon Laurence D Skelly MLC, said:
“Tynwald Day is the day where we come together to celebrate our culture, our history and our Island.  As a Manxman I am proud that events at St John’s on our National Day combine both our traditions and ceremony, alongside the celebration of our Island community. In my final year as President of Tynwald, I am honoured to be a part of our unique heritage. Laa Tinvaal Sonney Dhyt – Happy Tynwald Day.”

A live broadcast of Tynwald Day will be available on Monday 6^th July 2026 at https://tynwald.live/

Details of all timings related to the Ceremony and all the other activities running across the day are available on the Tynwald website - https://www.tynwald.org.im/tynwald-day/TD2026 and will be updated on the Tynwald Day Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/TynwaldDay

Grandstand Tickets

Grandstand tickets are on sale now and can be purchased directly from reception in Legislative Buildings, Finch Road, Douglas. Family tickets (two adults and any number of children), can be purchased for £15 or individual tickets are £5 each. All tickets include a Tynwald Day programme.

If you are unable to collect your Grandstand tickets in advance, please reserve and pay for them by telephoning 685500. You will then be able to collect them on Tynwald Day from the Information Hut at Stand 1 on the Back Fairfield which is by the gates just behind the Hill.

If you have not paid for any Grandstand tickets in advance you can still buy them from the Information Hut on the day itself as long as you do so before the Ceremony starts.

Transport and Parking

Please obey all traffic restrictions and follow directions given by the Police or the Scouts who kindly assist with traffic management on the day.

Public Transport

On Tynwald Day the Public Holiday bus service operates with additional journeys to St. John’s.

Parking

Free public parking is available at locations in St John’s off Station Road but be aware that there are road closures that will restrict access to the car parks at some times. Do not park on private land without permission.

Blue Badge Parking

Signage will be in place for Blue Badge car parking at the Old Farmers’ Arms car park (also known as the Old Railway Line car park). Blue Badge holders may reserve a parking pass entitling them to a reserved space. Please be advised that both the Blue Badge and the orange reserved parking passes should be displayed in car windows to assist those directing traffic.

Accessibility

A detailed Access Guide to Tynwald Day can be found at www.tynwald.org.im/tynwald-day
On Tynwald Day, should you require any assistance or have any queries, one of our team will be happy to assist. They can be located at the Tynwald Information Hut at Stand 1 on the Back Fairfield which is by the gates just behind the Hill.

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For more information contact:

enquiries@tynwald.org.im or call on 685500
https://www.tynwald.org.im/tynwald-day/TD2026

Notes for Editors
The High Court of Tynwald is the parliament of the Isle of Man and has an unlimited, but not necessarily exclusive, legislative competence. Tynwald is of Norse origin and over 1,000 years old, and is thus the oldest parliament in the world with an unbroken existence.

Each year on Tynwald Day (which is usually celebrated on July 5^th and moved to the following Monday if the 5^th falls on a weekend) Tynwald Court participates at the Tynwald Day Ceremony at St John’s. After a religious service in the Royal Chapel, the members of Tynwald process to Tynwald Hill, one of the ancient open air sites of Tynwald. Following the proceedings on Tynwald Hill, presided over by the Lieutenant Governor, the members of Tynwald return to the Royal Chapel where a formal sitting of Tynwald takes place. More information about the history of the ceremony can be found at:
https://www.tynwald.org.im/tynwald-day

Figure 1 Manx Flag and Royal Chapel  - Image credit – Matt Mosur