First stop on our Canada beat, and the map is busy from Kingston to the Rock: anniversary tours, Newfoundland Christmas halls, bagpipes in Ontario legion basements, and a Boston invasion with thirteen Canadian dates of its own.

The Mahones are marking 30 years of Rise Again. The Kingston Irish-punk lifers kicked off the anniversary tour in Western Canada and take it to Europe in spring 2027. Next home stop: Ottawa’s Bronson Centre on Friday, October 23, with Bardes À Barbes. Doors 7pm, 19+.

Mudmen have seven new songs in the live set for a next album they hope to have out in 2026 or early 2027, and Farmer’s Tan is finally on vinyl at the merch booth. November Ontario dates include Beachville RC Legion (November 14), Tecumseh RC Legion (November 21) and a hometown bash at the Brooke-Alvinston Community Centre (November 27).

The Irish Descendants wrap their Stan Rogers tribute run at Hugh’s Room in Toronto (October 30) and the National Arts Centre in Ottawa (October 31), then haul the Christmas show across Atlantic Canada in December: Gander, Goose Bay, Charlottetown, Halifax, Truro, Wolfville and home to St. John’s on the 23rd.

Alan Doyle plays Winterton (November 5), a sold-out Harbour Grace (November 7) and the Grey Cup Festival in Calgary (November 12), then moves into Tell Tale Harbour at Toronto’s Royal Alexandra Theatre from December 22 to January 24. A March 2027 Ontario band run with Mary Frances is on sale, Huntsville to Belleville, Kingston Grand on Paddy’s Day.

JUNO-nominated Newfoundlanders Rum Ragged take A Rum Ragged Christmas, built on last year’s All The Bells and Wassails, round the province, including Stephenville (December 13), Corner Brook (December 15) and Clarenville (December 19).

The Town Pants cross the border for their Drinking in the Graveyard Halloween party at The Smith Opera House in Geneva, NY (October 30), then mark 30 years with a fan bus tour of Ireland, April 24–May 1, 2027.

Coming through town

• Dropkick Murphys make Canada a proper leg of the St. Patrick’s Day 2027 Tour: thirteen dates from Vancouver’s PNE Forum (February 12) through Penticton, Calgary, Edmonton, Saskatoon, two nights in Winnipeg, London, Toronto’s Rebel, Ottawa and two at Quebec City’s Capitole, closing at Montreal’s L’Olympia (March 5). Home Front and Spiritual Cramp support.
• Dublin’s Madra Salach play The Garrison in Toronto on November 12, ahead of debut album Gorta (January 15).
• The Mary Wallopers bring Paddywhackery to Club Soda in Montreal (March 9, 2027), the Bronson Centre in Ottawa (March 10) and History in Toronto (March 12).
• Breton punks Les Ramoneurs de Menhirs, with Bérurier Noir’s Loran, return to Club Soda in Montreal on April 16, 2027, with Poésie Zéro and Mortier.