Isle of Man’s White Boys return for festive season tour
Isle of Man's White Boys return this festive season with performances across towns, reviving a centuries-old Christmas folk tradition of street theatre, song, and communal festivity.
A seasonal folk theatre tradition from the Isle of Man returns this festive season, bringing color and music to towns across the island. The White Boys, famed for their stark white costumes and bright decorations, will tour several communities this Saturday.
What follows is a concise guide to this year's performances and how to watch them.
What is The White Boys tradition?
The White Boys is a form of mumming, a long-standing Christmas folk play that blends drama with street performance.
A troupe dressed in white, with ribbons, tinsel, beads and tall paper hats, goes from door to door asking, 'Who wants to see The White Boys act?'. The staged story often features a knightly duel, the hero’s death, and a rescue by a figure known as the Doctor. The show also includes a carol and a lively dance, ending with swords arranged into a star shape.
Culture experts describe The White Boys as one of the most joyful Manx traditions, and audiences have been growing as people return to live performances, according to James Franklin, Culture Vannin’s online and educational resources officer.
How to watch a performance
Two groups will perform The White Boys on Saturday 20 December at these locations across the island:
- 10:00 GMT: Port St Mary, outside the Co-op (Southern Whiteboys)
- 10:00 GMT: Castletown Square (Peel White Boys)
- 10:45 GMT: Port Erin Railway Station – by the Whistlestop Café (Southern Whiteboys)
- 11:00 GMT: Ramsey, outside the courthouse (Peel White Boys)
- 11:30 GMT: Colby, by the Spar/Colby Glen Hotel (Southern Whiteboys)
- 12:00 GMT: Peel, Michael Street (Peel White Boys)
- 12:15 GMT: Castletown Square (Southern Whiteboys)
- 13:30 GMT: Peel, Michael Street (Southern Whiteboys)
- 16:00 GMT: Peel, Black Dog Pizza, East Quay (Peel White Boys)
Culture Vannin notes that times or locations can change, so check for updates here. There will also be a performance at Peel Cathedral on 3 January as part of an Oie'll Verree event.
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Expert comment: The revival shows how local folklore adapts for modern audiences while keeping a strong sense of community. Troupes say The White Boys continue to evolve while staying true to tradition.
Summary: The White Boys bring a centuries-old Christmas ritual to life across the island, combining theatre, song, and street pageantry. This year's schedule spans Port St Mary, Castletown, Port Erin, Ramsey, Colby and Peel, with performances running from morning to late afternoon and an extra show planned for January. Culture Vannin and local groups help preserve the tradition for new generations.
The central insight is that The White Boys remain a vibrant, community-driven Christmas tradition that connects people with long-standing folklore while drawing new audiences across the Isle of Man.
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