Accommodation
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Food & Drink Festivals and Events
There’s so much happening on the food front in Northern Ireland these days that it’s sometimes hard to keep up... there's always something new and tasty popping up. New inventive and talented chefs coming through. Local food and drink artisan businesses thriving. From wine festivals to salmon and whiskey festivals, there is something for everyone. Here’s just a taster of what you’ll find when you get here...
Moira Speciality Food Fair 2026 (Sat 15 Aug)
The Moira Speciality Food Fair returns this summer, bringing together local farmers and artisan producers from across Northern Ireland. Visitors can meet the people behind the food, learn about sustainable farming, and sample a wide range of local and international flavours in the Food Hall. The two-day event also features live cooking demos, talks from local chefs, and plenty of activities for children. With a selection of food trucks, an outdoor bar, and live music, it is a great spot to enjoy a meal and spend the day with the family!
Carnlough Whiskey Festival August 2026 (Sun 16 - Sun 23 Aug)
Discover The Carnlough Whiskey Festival, featuring a week of tastings, live music, and coastal activities. Hosted across the village and at Ireland's First Whiskey Hotel, the festival brings together independent distilleries and well-known brands such as Bushmills, Dunville’s, Shortcross, and Dingle. Guests can attend guided tasting sessions, join cocktail nights, meet brand ambassadors, and take part in boat trips along the Antrim Coast. With live music scheduled throughout the week, it offers a practical way to sample regional spirits while exploring the area.
Belfast Mela (Sat 22 - Sun 30 Aug)
The Belfast Mela returns to celebrate cultural diversity across the city. The festival opens with a free carnival parade from Writers Square to City Hall, features a large-scale outdoor aerial performance at Titanic Slipways, and finishes with Mela Day at Botanic Gardens. Visitors can enjoy live global music and dance across five stages, sample food from international stalls, and take part in workshops, family activities, and wellbeing sessions.
Armagh Food and Cider Weekend (Thurs 3 - Sun 6 Sept)
Discover The Armagh Food and Cider Weekend, set amongst the orchards of the Orchard County. The four-day event features a range of activities, including cider tastings, foraged lunches, guided orchard tours, and talks. Visitors can enjoy local food and drink through a selection of dining experiences and events hosted in venues across the region.
Eats & Beats Festival (Sat 5 - Sun 6 Sept)
The Eats & Beats festival returns to Newcastle this September, bringing together local food and live music in the heart of the Mourne Gullion Strangford Geopark. Visitors can explore a wide range of food stalls and enjoy performances from various musical acts across the town’s venues. The weekend offers a chance to sample regional flavours and discover new bands in a relaxed setting. It is one of the area’s largest events, providing plenty of activities for families and food enthusiasts alike.
Bushmills Salmon & Whiskey Festival (Fri 2 - Sun 4 Oct)
The Bushmills Salmon & Whiskey Festival returns this autumn. The weekend celebrates local food, drink, and heritage, featuring cookery demonstrations, food tastings, and guided dining experiences. Visitors can enjoy live music and street entertainment throughout the town, browse the artisan market, or take part in craft workshops and family activities.
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