Douglas is gearing up for a vibrant celebration as the first ever North Quay Festival takes over on Saturday, July 20.

The eagerly-anticipated event will feature the Isle of Man TT’s Trackside stage, which is normally located at the Grandstand during racing fortnight, including a state-of-the-art sound system.

North Quay has been bustling with activity recently thanks to a big screen set up for watching the 2024 European Championships.

The festival organisers, Douglas City Council, the Department for Enterprise and Heron and Brearley, say they aim to build on this lively atmosphere, creating a street party vibe filled with the cream of local musical talent. The event will commence around 1pm with the Big Wheel Blues band, the vanguard of the Blues festival for many years.

There will then be afternoon blues based performances by the melodic ensemble ‘Et Al‘ followed by the return of the legendary Bus Pass Blues band.

The afternoon’s proceedings will be headlined by the Heinrich Manoeuvre.

After a break the evening’s entertainment will kick off with a jazzy Latin acoustic set by the dynamic duo Lauren & Carlos.

Thereafter the renowned Han FX will entertain crowds.

Local singer and guitarist Trevor Shimmin will then perform a set of standards and Manx jazz stalwarts will perform a lively new set.

Organisers have said the evening will conclude with a headline performance by a popular band which is yet to be announced. Admission to the festival is free, with all funds raised going to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), which is celebrating 200 years of service this year.

An RNLI stall and gazebo will be situated on North Quay during the festival.

Volunteers will man the stall and sell a variety of gifts and mementos to raise money for the charity which is celebrating its 200th anniversary this year.

Mayor of the City of Douglas, Mrs Natalie Byron-Teare, said she’s ‘very much looking forward to the event’.

She added: ‘I am delighted this festival will be held in an area that has seen recent use as a hub for community events.

‘The event on July 20 is not only an opportunity to see some fantastic local talent but it also sees a collaboration of government organisations, business and third sector and truly embraces the Manx spirit of community.’