Raglan Ukulele Festival

The Raglan Ukulele Festival (RUF) is a three-day boutique music festival returning to Raglan, New Zealand, from September 4 to September 6, 2026, after a three-year break. It welcomes ukulele players from across the region and beyond, providing opportunities to enhance musical skills, perform, and play alongside fellow enthusiasts. The festival is a blend of educational sessions and public entertainment, celebrating ukulele music.

The event kicks off on Friday, September 4, with a public pub singalong at the Harbour View Hotel, welcoming early arrivals. Saturday, September 5, is the main festival day, featuring workshops on ukulele playing, singing, rhythm, percussion, waiata, and music arrangement, alongside a panel discussion for ukulele bassists. The afternoon includes open mic concerts for soloists and groups, as well as a large-scale strum-along where participants play together using projected chords and lyrics.

A significant public highlight is the Saturday evening concert at the Raglan Club, accessible with door sales for those without a festival pass. This concert features the Sing’nUke Folk & Blues Band, led by international workshop presenter Paul Jonson, known for his dynamic blues and ragtime playing. Local ukulele groups such as The Ragtimers, Blister Sisters, and The Blukes also perform. The festival concludes on Sunday, September 6, with public pop-up performances by local and visiting ukulele acts at various venues and cafes around Raglan, ending with a lunchtime concert at a local pub.