Manx Music Festival to Celebrate 70 Years of Eurovision With Special Contest

The Manx Music Festival, the Isle of Man’s largest competitive music and performing arts event, will celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Eurovision Song Contest with a special new category inspired by the global competition. The week-long festival will take place at the Villa Marina in Douglas from 25 April to 2 May 2026.

In a one-off competition class, adult participants will perform any song that has previously competed as an official Eurovision entry, either as a solo act or as part of a group. Performers are encouraged — though not required — to wear costumes that capture the theatrical spirit of Eurovision.

A New Creative Direction

Festival chairman Anne Clarke called the addition a major new feature for the historic event.

“This is a completely new thing for us,” Clarke said. “With the 70th anniversary of Eurovision, we thought we’d have our own Eurovision Song Contest.”

She noted that the Eurovision-themed category aims to bring fun, energy and international flair to the festival, while giving singers a chance to explore songs in their original languages. The class is open only to adults, and the entry deadline is 31 January 2026.

Celebrating Eurovision’s Legacy

The Eurovision Song Contest, organized by the European Broadcasting Union, has run annually since 1956 and has produced some of the most recognized music acts and chart-topping performances in history.

One of the contest’s most famous winners, ABBA, won for Sweden in 1974 with their iconic hit “Waterloo,” launching the group into global stardom. More recently, Sam Ryder finished second for the United Kingdom in 2022, helping to reignite UK enthusiasm for the competition.

The anniversary celebration reflects Eurovision’s influence not just across Europe but around the world — with millions watching each year and new generations discovering past performances.

A Long-Standing Island Tradition

Known locally as “the Guild,” the Manx Music Festival has been a prominent cultural institution since 1892. It continues to grow each year, attracting vocalists, choirs, musicians and performers who compete in dozens of categories across voice, instrumental music, speech and drama.

Clarke said the festival has become a pillar of the island’s heritage:

“It’s very popular and seems to grow every year. We could do with another week of the festival — with just one week, we struggle to fit everything in.”

The Eurovision-themed class is expected to draw strong interest, with organizers anticipating colorful performances, creative staging and enthusiastic audiences.

The 2026 festival promises to deliver a high-energy celebration that honors both local talent and an international music phenomenon. For many participants and residents, the event marks one of the most anticipated cultural moments of the year.