Chilli Festival 2025

About

Part of Taste Autumn in AND | Full programme

Saturday 13 September and Sunday 14 September | 12 noon - 4pm Bangor Castle Walled Garden 

Chilli Festival is a fun-filled family-friendly event with lots of added heat!

Discover a vibrant display of chilli plants of all shapes, sizes, and colours from around the world -all grown right here in Ards and North Down! Can you find the hottest one?

Join us for chilli-inspired food demo’s, live music and dancing.

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FREE family-friendly entertainment 

🎶 Live Music and Performances
Enjoy a lively mix of rhythm, energy, and atmosphere across the weekend at the Walled Garden Bandstand:

Saturday
•    Los Dramaticos – 12:00pm–12:40pm and 1:00pm–1:40pm
An energetic Latin duo bringing irresistible rhythms, sunshine vibes, and toe-tapping tunes.
•    Alex Da Costa – 2:00pm–2:40pm and 3:00pm–3:40pm
A vibrant set filled with summer sounds and uplifting melodies.

Sunday
•    Alex Da Costa – 12:00pm–12:50pm and 1:20pm–2:10pm
•    Salsa NI – 2:40pm–3:30pm
A high-energy showcase of salsa and bachata with dance exhibitions, plus an interactive salsa lesson for the crowd.

🍳 Food Demos and Meet the Makers
Spice up your weekend with live food demonstrations and the chance to meet some of the region’s chilli experts and artisan producers.

Saturday (Bandstand area - Saturday 13th only)

•    Food demonstrations from local providers between music sets (12:40pm, 1:40pm, 2:40pm and 3:40pm) | Come along and hear how some of our local restaurants and producers prepare some spicy menus.

Sunday (Bandstand)
•    Meet the Maker Q&As:
12:55pm–1:15pm – Habanero Steve
2:15pm–2:35pm – PEPPUP Limited
3:35pm–3:55pm –TBC

🌱 Workshops, Stalls and Hands-On Fun
From 12–4pm each day (unless otherwise noted), the Walled Garden will be buzzing with creativity, crafts, and family activities:
•    David Rainey Chillies – stock up on fiery, homegrown chillies bursting with flavour.
•    Bangor Horticultural Society – fresh, seasonal vegetables and expert growing tips from passionate gardeners.
•    Make your own Paper Pots and Bee Hotels – hands-on fun with our Parks and Cemeteries Apprentices and YMCA Youth making eco-friendly paper potters and bee hotels, learning how to support pollinators at home. 
•    Heather Cassidy – Wild & Crafted (Sunday only) – try your hand at gelli printing, a playful art technique inspired by nature’s shapes and textures.
•    Clive’s Willow Weaving – watch a master weaver at work and have a go at this timeless craft.
•    Meet Eastwell Farm’s Alpacas – meet and greet these gentle, friendly animals beside the Willow area.
•    Boom Studios – three fiery creative activities:
o    Collaborative Mural with Carla Hodgson– “What’s Your Heat Level?”: Add your mark to a giant chilli heat scale — doodle, colour, or write your favourite spicy food, and watch a vibrant community artwork grow throughout the festival. The mural artist will paint live each morning (10am–12pm) before the boards open for everyone to join in (12–4pm).
o    Chilli Kites (Family-Friendly): Design, decorate, and make your own chilli-inspired kite to take home and fly.
o    Red Hot Macramé (Older children & adults): A guided sit-down activity to create chilli-inspired keyrings or tassels — a fiery keepsake to treasure.
•    Funky Fun Facepainting – brighten your day with bold, colourful designs the kids will love (Grass area behind the Bandstand).

And of course don’t miss our Chilli Display from Hanna Nurseries and Habanero Steve – explore a stunning showcase of colourful chilli plants in the Glasshouse.

Whether you’re a foodie, a music lover, or just looking for a great day out with the family, there’s something for everyone at the Chilli Festival 2025.

Please note: All times, performers, and activities are subject to change. 

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Producers attending | Saturday 13 September and Sunday 14 September

A small number of vendors will be on site selling their spicy wares.  A mix of hot food and cupboard staples. 

1. Ballyboley Dexters
2. Cacao Patisserie
3. Counterculture real bread
4. Habanero Steve's
5. Hotties Chocolate
6. Indie Füde – cheese stand
7. Nitro Coffee Co
8. Papas Mineral Company
9. PEPPUP Limited
10. Pure Thai Sauces
11. Simply Scampi
12. The Griddle by Angus Farm Shop
13. The local NI
14. Totally Hot NI
15. Yum’s the Word

Sustainability

We encourage visitors to travel via public transport or why not walk or cycle. Please bring along your reusable bags to pick up goodies at the event. Please dispose of rubbish in the bins available on-site.

Getting here:

Public Transport | The nearest rail and bus station is Bangor, located in the City Centre, approx. 10-minute walk from the venue up/down an incline. For information on timetables, visit Translink.co.uk

By car | Do you plan to drive to the event?  Allow plenty of time for your journey. If you are travelling by car follow directional road signs to Bangor City Centre, and check out what car parking is available in the city (free and charged). A guide to the local car parks.

Event site | Useful information

Recycling | When disposing of rubbish please use the recycling bins on-site. Please note, the usual waste bins on-site will not be in use during the event. Please help us continue our sustainability commitment to zero contamination at events by using the correct bin. There will be team members on hand to provide advice and help you put your rubbish in the correct bin.

First Aid | There will be a First Aid Point beside Coffee Cure in Bangor Castle Walled Garden.

Event staff | There will be staff on hand at the event to help with information and provide assistance at the event, should you need it.

Accessibility | Surfaces and paths are flat, with compact stone paths and paved. Toilets are available on-site at Coffee Cure. Find out more here -Bangor Castle Walled Garden | AccessAble

Dogs | We would advise dog owners this is an extremely busy site with large crowds and loud noises and recommend you do not bring your dog onto the site. If you do plan to attend with your dog, dogs should be kept on a short lead. Owners must clean up after their dogs and dispose of the waste in the appropriate bins. Water bowls will be provided.

Stay sun safe | If we have the fortune of sunny weather, please protect yourself with sun cream, hats and hydrate when at the event. 

Follow our Facebook page or sign up to our ezine for current updates.

This event is being photographed and filmed. Images may be used in Ards and North Down Borough Council promotional materials. If you do not want your image to be used, please inform our event staff.

Please note, details subject to change.