Combining the tradition and heritage of the formal Tynwald Ceremony with the vibrant festivities of the Tynwald Day Enhancements, the President of Tynwald would like to invite everyone to celebrate our national day at St. John’s with a full programme of free, family-friendly events and activities running across the site from 9am until 10pm.

The Isle of Man’s National Day is traditionally celebrated on 5^th July, but when this date falls on a weekend, the Tynwald Ceremony is moved to the following Monday, meaning 6^th July is a Public Holiday and we enjoy a long weekend.

This year, the entrance to the Tynwald Fairfield is the Manninagh Zone. Here you will find the popular Manx Tent with a Manx music session scheduled in the afternoon and the highlight of Perree Bane performing Manx dancing at 10am. Be sure to visit the Blein ny Gaelgey and Culture Vannin stall to pick up a Mannin Aboo Passport and learn some simple Manx phrases! Here you will also find representatives from the Isle of Man Crown and Elections team with information on voter registration and the upcoming House of Keys General Election. This location is where you can buy Grandstand Tickets in the morning and team members are available all day to help with any questions or queries you have.

Activities at the TynwaldFest tent begin at 9.10am with a performance outside by the Onchan Silver Band. Whilst the Ceremony is taking place, there will be family craft activities to try inside the tent. After the Ceremony, performances continue through the afternoon and evening, with music from local groups, including: Mine’s a Shanty, The Mega Manx Ceili Band, the Blue Train Youth Big Band and Biskee Brisht.

For more musical entertainment after the Ceremony visit the Royal Chapel. Mine’s a Shanty are performing here too and the acoustics in the Chapel for Skeealyn Vannin and the Lon Shoo Male Voice Choir are excellent.

Throughout the afternoon there is a community gardening session in the Bunscoill Galeagh, and no visit to Tynwald Day would be complete without visiting the Viking Village at Cooil-y-Ree. In the Arboretum, the One World Centre’s Global Village will be celebrating the Island’s links across the globe.

The Back Fairfield will be full of stalls showcasing local artists, designers and producers, alongside a variety of food trucks. Food and beverages are available all day across multiple venues, offering something for everyone, whether you fancy an ice cream, a coffee, or a full meal from breakfast through to dinner.

At the end of the afternoon, the focus moves back to the Front Green and the TynwaldFest tent. Bouncy castles and inflatable axe-throwing will be set up on the Front Green from 4pm-8pm. Retrospect take over the marquee from 7pm, followed by ceili dancing with Kipperceili - if you can squeeze into the tent.

Our National Day ends at 10pm when Ellan Vannin Pipes and Drums will take to Tynwald Hill to draw the day to a close with fire performers Skimmee Aile.

The full timetable of events can be found:

• on the Tynwald website: https://www.tynwald.org.im/tynwald-day/TD2026
• on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TynwaldDay
• on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/TynwaldDay
• on leaflets available on Tynwald Day from the Information Hut located behind the Hill by the entrance to the Back Fairfield.

Celebrate the Manx National weekend

Embrace the Manx National weekend and enjoy other events taking place across the Isle of Man ahead of Tynwald Day on Monday 6^th July.

A wide range of events will be taking place across the island this weekend, from Mananan 50 - the 50th anniversary of the Erin Arts Centre’s annual arts festival (29^th June – 4^th July) - to the high-adrenaline outdoor pursuits of the World Downhill Skateboarding Championship on the TT Course (3^rd – 5^th July) and the famous World Tin Bath Championship in Castletown (4^th July). For a more relaxed pace, there are exhibitions to enjoy across the Island, including Traces at the House of Manannan, Peel; Catching the Boat at Jurby Church, which explores the Golden Age of the Manx seaside holiday; and the Manx Museum’s Mind Your Language exhibition, celebrating the beauty of the Manx language as part of Blein ny Gaelgey - the ‘Year of Manx’.

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EDITOR NOTES:

Tynwald Hill

In recognition of its historic significance, Tynwald Hill is part of the Protected Buildings Register. Visitors are asked to ‘Protect the Hill’ by using the designated steps when accessing it on Tynwald Day and throughout the year.

Tynwald Day 2026 webpage

https://www.tynwald.org.im/tynwald-day/TD2026

Accessibility

A detailed Access Guide to Tynwald Day can be found at www.tynwald.org.im/tynwald-day

Getting to Tynwald on 6^th July

Road Closures and Parking

Free parking is available at St John’s. Road restrictions are in force throughout the day for health and safety and car parking is restricted during the Ceremony. Please obey all traffic restrictions and follow all directions given by the Scouts who assist with traffic management on the day.

Please be aware: there will be no access to some car parks while roads are temporarily closed during the forming up and dissolution of the Parade.

Blue Badge holders wishing to attend Tynwald Day may reserve a parking pass entitling them to a reserved space in the Old Farmers Arms car park. Spaces may also be available on the day.
For enquiries, telephone 685500.

Tynwald Day Bus Services

Buses to serve the National Festivities at St John’s (including extra journeys) will operate during the day.

All services are online: https://www.iombusandrail.im/travel-information/latest-travel-updates/tynwald-day/

Please note there are no late night buses serving TynwaldFest.

Contact point for further information:

For any enquiries before Tynwald Day, please email the Office of the Clerk of Tynwald by using the email address enquiries@tynwald.org.im or by calling 685500. Please note that the Legislative Buildings in Douglas will be closed on Tynwald Day as all staff will be on site at St John’s.