Rapalje is a Celtic folk band from Groningen, founded in 1996, that plays Irish, Scottish and Dutch folk music on instruments including bagpipes, fiddle, tinwhistle and bodhrán, singing in both English and Dutch. With well over a thousand concerts to their name - ranging from Dutch theatre stages to club tours in Brazil - they have become the best-known folk band in the Netherlands. The band has won the Best Live Act award at the Fantasy Awards three times, in 2015, 2018 and 2023.
Rapalje announces three Celtic Folk Festivals in April 2026 in Northern Netherlands: in Eelde, a Halloween edition in Groningen and the new Loch & Legends festival at Zuidlaardermeer.
On 6 February 2026, Rapalje performed a Celtic Folk Night at pop venue Iduna in Groningen.
Rapalje celebrated their thirty-year anniversary in 2025 with the theatre tour '30 Years Breaking Borders', during which they performed in halls throughout the Netherlands.
The Rapalje Zomerfolk Festival took place on 7 and 8 June 2025 for the eleventh time in the City Park of Groningen.
Founder and former band member Dieb den Boer left Rapalje in April 2022; Sebastiaan joined as his successor.
Rapalje brings 31 years of Irish, Scottish and Dutch folk music with bagpipes, violin and humour. A festive concert full of sing-alongs.
Dutch folk and shanty band Rapalje performs at Patronaat in Haarlem.
Rapalje performs an intimate candlelit concert of Celtic music in the Stevenskerk.
Award-winning folk band Rapalje brings their new show 'Easy & Free' about freedom and finding happiness in life's simple moments, full of energy and wit.
Scottish-Irish folk legends Rapalje perform their theatre concert 'Easy & Free', blending traditional Celtic songs with original compositions and infectious energy.
