About
Cregneash hosts its annual Manx Hop tu Naa Festival, a key highlight of the October half term programme.
Hop tu Naa is a New Year festival rooted in the Celtic calendar. It shares links with wider Gaelic traditions, including Scotland's Hogmanay. The festival marks the end of the harvest and the shift into longer nights, traditionally a time of reflection, thanks, and community celebration.
The event brings Manx customs to life through hands-on activity, music, storytelling, and food traditions across the historic village.
Visitors can take part in:
Carving their own spooky moot (turnip) lantern
Live Manx music and a community sing-along of the Hop tu Naa song with Matt Kelly
Traditional dances including Peree Bane and Skeddan Jiarg
Herbal charm making in Jinny the Witch's Cottage
Arts and crafts in the Harvest Craft Cottage
Hollantide Gingerbread making in the Kitchen of Church farm
Manx fairytale storytelling by the fire in Church Farm Parlour
Salt dough Hollantide Fairings in Quirks Croft
The festival combines living history, music, and family-friendly activities to bring Manx seasonal traditions into a hands-on, accessible setting.
Useful information
- Suitable for families and children of all primary school ages
- Includes craft, storytelling, music, food demos, and outdoor activities
- Turnip carving (moot lanterns)
- Some activities take place outdoors, so please dress for the weather
- We recommend sturdy footwear due to uneven ground in the village
- Everyone attending needs a ticket
- Some activities operate on a timed or capacity basis and may involve short waits at peak times
Optional donation to Manx National Heritage welcome – to find out more about where your donations help, please click here
For enquiries, contact Manx Museum Gallery Shop on +44 (0)1624 648033 or email shop@mnh.im
