Common Riding Dates 2026
For the past few years, I’ve been gathering and sharing the dates for the Border Common Ridings and Festivals, along with a few kindred traditions from further afield. Below you'll find the key events for 2026 - updated as soon as I can get dates confirmed…
If you're drawn to these traditions, then there's more to explore. My blog offers glimpses into the Scottish Borders.
Better felt, than telt…
Hawick Common Riding - Common Riding Friday 5 June 2026
West Linton Whipman - Instillation Friday TBC & Rideout Saturday 6 June 2026 (TBC)
Yetholm Festival Week - Stob Stanes Rideout Tuesday 9 June (Note change of night)
Selkirk Common Riding - Common Riding Friday 12 June 2025
Melrose Festival - Rideout Mon 15 & Crowning and Installation Thurs 18 June 2026 (TBC)
Peebles Beltane Festival - Rideout Wednesday 17 June 2026, Crowning Saturday 20 June 2026
Galashiels Braw Lads Gathering - Braw Lads Day Saturday 27 June 2026
Jethart Callants Festival - Redeswire Ride Saturday 4 July, Festival Day Friday 10 July
Duns Summer Festival - Saturday Ride Out & Fancy Dress Saturday 11 July (TBC)
St. Ronan’s Border Games, Innerleithen - Cleikum Friday 17 July 2026, Games Saturday 18 July 2026
Kelso Civic Week - Yetholm Rideout & Fancy Dress Saturday 18 July (TBC)
Lauder Common Riding - Common Riding Saturday 1 August 2026
Coldstream Civic Week - Flodden Rideout Thursday 6 August (TBC)
Going further…
Berwick Upon Tweed - Riding of the Bounds Saturday 2 May
Penicuik Hunter & Lass - Festival Day Saturday 30 May
Stirling Walking of The Marches - Saturday 30 May 2026
Lanark Lanimers Week - Lanimers Day Thursday 11 June 2026
Biggar Gala Week - Riding of the Marches Sunday 7 June (TBC)
Walkerburn Summer Festival - Fancy Dress and Bonfire Friday June (TBC)
Annan Riding of the Marches - Saturday July (TBC)
Eyemouth Herring Queen Festival - Saturday 25 July (TBC)
Langholm Common Riding - Common Riding Friday 31 July 2026
Musselburgh Festival - Festival Day Saturday 25 July
Sanquhar Riding of the Marches - Saturday August (TBC)
Edinburgh Riding of The Marches - Sunday September (TBC)
