Scotland's biggest night for traditional music is coming back to Paisley this winter. The MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards, often called "Na Trads" or the "folk Oscars", will be held at Paisley Arena in the Lagoon Leisure Centre on Saturday 5 December. It is the first time the awards have been staged in the town since 2017.
The night celebrates the musicians, singers, venues, festivals, organisations and teachers behind Scotland's folk and trad scene, with categories including Album of the Year, Musician of the Year, Venue of the Year and Festival of the Year.
Organiser Simon Thoumire said: "Paisley is a powerhouse of cultural creativity so we're hugely excited to be taking the Trad Awards back to the town this year." He added that organisers want to hear from fans about the acts and organisations that have inspired them this year.
Performers on the night include electrotrad group Valtos, Gaelic vocal trio Sian, Orkney folk quartet Gnoss, folk fusion group Spodo Komodo and Rachel Groves, the 2026 BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year. Young musicians from Renfrewshire's Fèis Phàislig will also perform, and the evening will be hosted by Mary Ann Kennedy and Alistair Heather.
Martyn MacDonald of Valtos said: "The Trad Awards are always a highlight of our year and it's an honour to be asked to play to a room full of our peers while they're being celebrated for their many talents."
Public nominations are open now through the Hands Up for Trad website until Sunday 18 October, with shortlisting to follow from 2 to 15 November.
The awards are run by Hands Up for Trad with support from Creative Scotland and headline sponsor MG ALBA. A two-hour highlights programme will be shown on BBC ALBA at 9pm on Sunday 6 December. Tickets are on sale now through Renfrewshire Box Office.