British folk-rock legends Fairport Convention will take to the rivers of Europe in 2027, joining Harmony Voyages for a very special seven-night Rhine and Danube river cruise from Passau to Cologne.
Taking place from 31 August to 7 September 2027, the Rhine & Danube Symphony will bring together spectacular European destinations, intimate live performances and the opportunity to experience one of Britain’s most influential folk-rock bands in a completely different setting.
Sailing aboard the brand-new AMADEUS Mira, guests will travel through historic towns and UNESCO-listed cities including Regensburg, Bamberg, Nuremberg and Rüdesheim, before cruising through the beautiful Upper Middle Rhine Valley and arriving in Cologne.
For Fairport Convention fans, however, this is much more than a river cruise. With evening concerts from the band on board, the smaller and more relaxed setting offers the opportunity to enjoy their music up close and personal, surrounded by fellow music lovers.
Six Decades of Fairport Convention
Few bands have played such an important role in the story of British folk music as Fairport Convention.
Formed in 1967, the band became pioneers of British folk-rock, combining traditional folk influences with contemporary rock and creating a sound that would influence generations of musicians. Over an extraordinary career spanning six decades, Fairport Convention have produced some of the genre’s most celebrated music and built an exceptionally loyal following.
Their landmark album Liege & Lief is widely regarded as one of the defining British folk-rock albums, while Fairport’s enduring appeal has seen the band continue to tour, perform and introduce their music to new generations of listeners.
The current line-up of Simon Nicol, Dave Pegg, Ric Sanders and Chris Leslie brings together decades of musicianship, storytelling and the warmth and humour that have become such an important part of a Fairport Convention performance.
And 2027 is set to be an especially significant year as Fairport Convention celebrate their 60th anniversary.
A Long-Standing Connection with Costa Festival
Fairport Convention also have a very special connection with Costa Festival.
The band have appeared at Costa Festivals on numerous occasions over the years, becoming firm favourites with Costa audiences. Their association with the festival extends beyond their performances, with Fairport Convention proudly serving as patrons of Costa Festival.
Costa Festival has always been about more than simply watching a concert. Artists and audiences share the same relaxed surroundings, creating opportunities for informal sessions, spontaneous performances and memorable moments that simply don’t happen at larger, more traditional festivals.
Fairport Convention are a natural fit for that atmosphere. Their warmth, musicianship and sense of fun have made their appearances an important part of Costa Festival’s story.
For those who have previously enjoyed seeing Fairport Convention at Costa Festival, the Rhine & Danube Symphony offers another opportunity to experience that same closeness between artist and audience – but this time while travelling through the heart of Europe.
Discover more about Costa Festival and its unique music holidays.
Experience Fairport Convention Up Close and Personal
One of the things that makes a Harmony Voyages music cruise so different is the intimacy of the experience.
At a traditional concert, you arrive at the venue, watch the performance and head home afterwards. On a music cruise, the performances become part of the holiday itself.
With a maximum of just 158 passengers aboard AMADEUS Mira, the setting is a world away from a large concert hall or festival field.
Days can be spent exploring historic European destinations or simply relaxing and watching the scenery pass by. Then, in the evening, guests come together to enjoy live performances from Fairport Convention on board.
It creates a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere and the chance to experience the band up close and personal, alongside a relatively small group of fellow Fairport fans and music lovers.
From Passau to Cologne
The seven-night journey begins in Passau on 31 August 2027, where guests board AMADEUS Mira before setting sail.
The following day brings Regensburg, one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
From there, the journey continues to Nuremberg, followed by another UNESCO-listed destination, Bamberg, with its historic old quarter, narrow streets and beautiful architecture.
In Würzburg, guests arrive in the heart of Franconian wine country, with opportunities to explore the city’s Baroque architecture or travel further afield to the medieval town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber.
Next come Wertheim and Miltenberg, two wonderfully picturesque destinations filled with medieval streets and traditional half-timbered buildings.
On the final full day, AMADEUS Mira arrives in the wine-making town of Rüdesheim before cruising through one of the most spectacular parts of the entire journey – the Upper Middle Rhine Valley.
Castles, vineyards and dramatic landscapes line the river as the ship passes the legendary Lorelei and continues towards Cologne, where the cruise concludes.
Music, Travel, and a Very Special Anniversary
What makes this particular cruise so special is the combination. There are historic European cities to discover, medieval towns to wander through and some of the most beautiful river scenery in Europe to enjoy.
But running through the entire journey is the music, and for a band celebrating 60 years together, it seems particularly fitting. Fairport Convention’s music has brought people together for generations, at concerts, festivals and Costa Festivals, and in 2027 it will provide the soundtrack to a very different adventure.
Whether you’ve followed Fairport Convention for decades, discovered them through Costa Festival or simply love the idea of combining exceptional live music with a European river cruise, the Rhine & Danube Symphony featuring Fairport Convention promises to be a memorable way to experience the band.