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Food & Drink Events

There’s so much happening on the food front in Northern Ireland these days that it’s sometimes hard to keep up. New inventive and talented chefs coming through. Local food and drink artisan businesses thriving. Here’s just a taster of what you’ll find when you get here...

Armagh’s Food & Cider Festival

The Orchard County comes into its own each autumn. That’s when the Food & Cider Festival hits town. Though, in truth, with its acres of orchards and appreciation of the Armagh Bramley Apple, every day here is a celebration of that wonderful fruit.

Still, to see just how much you can do with an apple, make a date for September. The city’s alive with open air markets, cookery masterclasses, tasting dinners and, of course, orchard and cidery tours. One of the highlights is the Bramley Apple Banquet.

Bushmills Salmon and Whiskey Festival

Or should that be Bushmills Whiskey and Salmon Festival. Never mind, either way it’s a match made in heaven each June. There are cookery demonstrations from local and celebrity chefs, whiskey tastings at the world-famous Bushmills Distillery, tours of the Bushmills Salmon Station and the best of fresh local produce at the Naturally North Coast and Glens Artisan Market. Plus mouth-watering live music and dance just to get you in the spirit of it all.

Belfast Mela at the Botanic Gardens

Every August, Belfast, and thousands of its visitors, come together to celebrate people and their diversity. Hosting music, dance, arts and culture from around the world, it transforms the Botanic Gardens, near Queen’s University, into a global space alive with the sights, sounds and aromas of the world.

The Slow Food Festival

Derry-Londonderry is where you’ll find this October festival of local, clean, fair food. The North West’s best producers will be on hand with their fantastic produce from farm, field, seas and rivers. There’ll be live cookery demos, street food tastings and plenty for the next generation of slow food cookers too – with kids’ activities, workshops, advice on healthy eating and more.

All things vegan

In June each year, Derry-Londonderry’s Irish Vegan Festival showcases everything from vegan dishes, cakes and desserts to housewares and bath and beauty products. Many from local restaurants, cafes, shops and traders, as well as from visiting producers and businesses. Plus there are talks, film screenings and advice on health and nutrition.

Hillsborough Castle and Gardens Food Festival

It would be hard to find a more spectacular setting for a food festival – or indeed any festival – than Hillsborough Castle. A working Royal Palace, it’s well worth taking a little time to tour the sumptuously refurbished State Drawing Room and Throne Room while you’re here. And, of course, the stunning gardens with their tranquil woodlands and heritage plants. Now, back to the food.

Northern Ireland’s vibrant food scene means there are hugely creative chefs and innovative food and drink producers wherever you turn. And many of them are right here, each July, along with international culinary stars and food experts. There’s live cookery on stage, inspirational talks and a whole lot of food tasting going on.

Rathlin Sound Maritime Festival

Celebrating the maritime heritage of the beautiful North Antrim Coast, the Festival, perhaps unsurprisingly, mostly takes place on the water towards the end of May each year. From sailing regattas to traditional currach racing, tall ships to Viking ships, there’s something for all seafarers out there. And, should all that sea air give you an appetite, something for all foodies back on shore.

On land there are guided walks and tours and a host of cookery demonstrations. Plus a craft and food market, featuring the mouth-watering local produce of this coastal region.

Taste Causeway

In a stunningly beautiful area that’s renowned for exceptional food and drink, cultivated by knowledgeable and passionate people, the Causeway Coast and Glens has a huge amount to offer visitors to these shores each October. Especially those with an interest in food.

Taste Causeway brings together all that’s happening in the local food world – from speciality markets to masterclasses and from workshops to supper clubs. So if there’s a food event on in the area, this is the place to find it.

A Potato Festival?

Yes, really. John Clarke, OBE, was a leading North Antrim potato grower. His story inspired the book ‘Potato Wizard’ by Maurice McHenry. It also inspired the formation of Potato NI and the introduction of the annual Northern Ireland Potato Festival each October – a tribute to the humble spud and a celebration of the life and work of John Clark.

A taste for something Georgian

Armagh’s Georgian Festival attracts crowds to the city every November. And it is quite an experience, taking in the best of Armagh’s Georgian history, heritage and architectural past. Merchants line the streets and artisan produce is on show in the dedicated food village.

The Great Georgian Banquet at Archbishop’s Robinson’s Palace is the star of the festival. It’s an evening of gastronomy like no other, with a sumptuous five-course dinner and fine wines, modelled on the menus of the time.

A Halloween Hotspot in Derry-Londonderry

Since its first Halloween carnival, 30 years or so ago, the city of Derry-Londonderry has grown to become pretty much the Halloween capital of the world. But even ghosts and ghouls have to eat.

Enter the LegenDerry Halloween Food Event – a cauldron of high quality ingredients and world-class authentic Irish food and drink. With a LegenDerry Food Village where you’ll find street food made with the finest autumnal produce to thrill all the family. And a LegenDerry Food Trail which sees the city’s chefs invite you in for a dish or two. It runs for a week. So that’s something new to get your teeth into every night.

St. George’s Twilight Market

The famous St. George’s Market, situated in a stunningly beautiful Victorian building, is one of Belfast’s oldest and certainly most colourful attractions. Always bustling by day, it becomes even more inviting as night begins to fall.

And so, at various times throughout the year, St. George’s Twilight Market takes place. It’s packed full of fantastic local artisan food and drink, inspiring cookery demonstrations, quirky arts and crafts, family entertainment and, of course, live music - well, it is Belfast. It’s a night out like no other, in a place like no other.

Indeed, much of Northern Ireland’s food-inspired events are like nothing you’ll find anywhere else. A bit like Northern Ireland itself. And that could just be why people seem to enjoy coming back.

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Burns Night Dining Experience at Ulster Folk Museum

Holywood

Address

Ulster Folk Museum, 153 Bangor Road, Cultra, Holywood, County Down, BT18 0EU

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9042 8428

info@nationalmuseumsni.org

Price
Price £70.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Food & Drink

Looking for a unique dining experience to kick off 2025? Sit down for a three course meal in the Ulster Folk Museum to celebrate Burns Night on Saturday 25th January!

Related

Ulster Folk Museum, Holywood

Dates

From:
25 Jan 2025Open 18:00 - 21:00

Price
Price £70.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Love LegenDerry Food Month

Derry~Londonderry

Address

Various Locations, Derry~Londonderry, County Londonderry, BT47 6FA

Type

Type:

Food & Drink

This February, the historic city and its surrounding district will once again celebrate its exceptional culinary heritage with a month-long programme of unique events and experiences. This year's event features a variety of activities for food…

Dates

From:

1 Feb 2025to28 Feb 2025

More Info
Dart Mountain Cheese Experience

Claudy

Address

26 Tamnagh Road, Claudy, Derry~Londonderry, BT47 4DN

Telephone
+44 (0) 7779 580 542

Type

Type:

Food & Drink

An informal educational tour & taste experience of Derry’s award-winning artisan cheese producer.

Dates

From:
3 Feb 2025Open 11:30 - 14:00
From:
6 Feb 2025Open 11:30 - 14:00
From:
8 Feb 2025Open 11:30 - 14:00
From:
13 Feb 2025Open 11:30 - 14:00
From:
17 Feb 2025Open 11:30 - 14:00
From:
20 Feb 2025Open 11:30 - 14:00
From:
21 Feb 2025Open 11:30 - 14:00
From:
22 Feb 2025Open 11:30 - 14:00
From:
24 Feb 2025Open 11:30 - 14:00
From:
27 Feb 2025Open 11:30 - 14:00
From:
28 Feb 2025Open 11:30 - 14:00

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Oyster & Stout Festival

Derry~Londonderry

Address

Walled City Brewery 70 Ebrington Square, Derry~Londonderry, County Londonderry, BT47 6FA

Price
Price £11.55 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Food & Drink

A totally unique festival in the Walled City Brewery’s new Taproom with taste sensations and live music as the backdrop. A true taste of LegenDerry.

Dates

From:
7 Feb 2025Open 16:00 - 23:00
From:
8 Feb 2025Open 16:00 - 23:00

Price
Price £11.55 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- Car parking
Sperrins Goat Cheese Experience with Dart Mountain & Craigbane Goat Farm

Claudy

Address

Dart Mountain & Craigbane Goat Farm, 26 Tamnagh Road, Claudy, Derry~Londonderry, BT47 4DN

Price
Price £18.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Food & Drink

Our Sperrin Goat Cheese Experience, for parents with kids, will involve a goat’s cheese sampling and cheese making tour followed by a visit to the Craigbane Goat Farm to meet the baby goats.

Dates

From:
9 Feb 2025Open 11:00 - 13:00
From:
16 Feb 2025Open 11:00 - 13:00

Price
Price £18.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Death of a Viking – Valentine's Murder Mystery

Armagh

Address

Navan Centre & Fort, 81 Killylea Road, Armagh, County Armagh, BT60 4LD

Telephone
02837529644

navan@armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk

Price
Price £55.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Participatory Event

Step back in time to an age of fierce warriors, ancient legends, and dark secrets. Join us at the historic Navan Centre & Fort, Armagh for a thrilling Viking-themed murder mystery event! At a celebration of the Christian feast of St Valentine,…

Related

Navan Centre and Fort, Armagh

Dates

From:
14 Feb 2025Open 19:00 - 22:00

Price
Price £55.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Wild & Fired Dining @ Brook Hall Estate & Gardens

Derry~Londonderry

Address

Brook Hall Estate, 65-67 Culmore Road, Derry~Londonderry, Derry~Londonderry, BT48 8JE

Price
Price £95.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Food & Drink

Join us for a private dining experience in the historic walled garden of Brook Hall. Enjoy the captivating atmosphere of this exclusive event, where seasonal ingredients and wood-fired cooking come together for a memorable and intimate dining…

Dates

From:
14 Feb 2025Open 18:00 - 20:00

Price
Price £95.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Deadly Dinner

Derry

Address

Walled City Brewery 70 Ebrington Street, Derry, County Londonderry, BT47 6FA

Price
Price £49.46 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Food & Drink

In collaboration with the NI Science Festival and Love Legenderry Month, come join us for a night of thrills and chills at Walled City Brewery! Our Deadly Dinner event promises to be a spine-tingling experience filled with delicious food and spooky…

Dates

From:
15 Feb 2025Open 19:30 - 22:30

Price
Price £49.46 Per Ticket

More Info
Couple’s Cookery Classes with Fairely's Flavours

Eglinton

Address

Eglinton Community Hall, 40 Main Steet, Eglinton, County Londonderry, BT47 3AD

Type

Type:

Food & Drink

An interactive cooking experience where couples get to cook and eat their way through dishes made with local produce and LegenDerry ingredients.

Dates

From:
15 Feb 2025Open 12:00 - 18:00

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Oaks & Embers – The Science Behind Nature Lovers

Derry~Londonderry

Address

Brook Hall Estate 65-67 Culmore Road, Derry~Londonderry, County Londonderry, BT48 8JE

Price
Price £95.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Food & Drink

Enjoy a communal meal cooked over an open flame, paired with simple yet invigorating activities to foster relaxation and deeper connection in the serene surroundings of Brook Hall’s historic landscape.

Dates

From:
16 Feb 2025Open 14:30 - 17:00

Price
Price £95.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Derry By Fork

Derry~Londonderry

Address

Meet outside Ebrington Hotel, Derry~Londonderry, County londonderry, BT47 6FA

Price
Price £95.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Tour

Derry By Fork takes you on a flavourful journey, sampling iconic local dishes crafted by the city’s finest chefs and producers. As we weave through the vibrant heart of Derry, you’ll hear stories that bring to life the traditions and ingredients…

Dates

From:
22 Feb 2025Open 10:30 - 14:30

Price
Price £95.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Afternoon Tea in Montalto House with Tour

Ballynahinch

Address

Montalto House, Ballynahinch, County Down, BT24 8PT

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9756 6100

tickets@montaltoestate.com

Type

Type:

Food & Drink

Feel like a Georgian guest at Montalto House. Enjoy an elegant traditional afternoon tea all hand crafted at Montalto by the estate's pastry chefs.

Related

Montalto Estate, Ballynahinch

Dates

From:
22 Feb 2025Open 12:00 - 17:00

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Electric Picnic

Killinchy

Address

Sketrick Island, Whiterock, Killinchy, County Down, BT23 6QH

Telephone
07909721898

strangfordloughactivitycentre@hotmail.co.uk

Price
Price £60.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Tour

Take a guided electric bike around the shoreline of stunning Strangford Lough, with a stop for an artisan picnic en route.

Related

Strangford Lough Activity Centre, Killinchy

Dates

From:
23 Feb 2025

Price
Price £60.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Love Your Food

Lisburn

Address

Eikon Exhibition Centre, Balmoral Park, Halftown Road, Lisburn, County Antrim, BT27 5RF

Telephone
02890665225

events@eikon.uk.com

Type

Type:

Food & Drink

A haven for food lovers, the Love Your Food Show will showcase over 100 food exhibitors and stalls, featuring everything from freshly baked goods to artisanal cheeses and handcrafted preserves.

Dates

From:

7 Mar 2025to9 Mar 2025Open 10:00 - 18:00

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Balmoral Show

Lisburn

Address

Eikon Exhibition Centre, Balmoral Park, Halftown Road, Lisburn, County Antrim, BT27 5RD

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9066 5225

info@ruas.org.uk

Price
Price £25.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Agricultural Shows

The 156th Balmoral Show in partnership with the Ulster Bank is taking place on Wed 14th - Sat 17th May 2025.

Dates

From:

14 May 2025to18 May 2025Various Opening Times

Price
Price £25.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Facilities

Catering
- Restaurant on Premises
Wine Geese Festival

Enniskillen

Address

Various Locations, Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, BT74 7HL

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 6634 6736

kesh2cask@outlook.com

Type

Type:

Food & Drink

Join us in celebrating 300 years since Thomas Barton, one of the most famous Wine Geese, emigrated from Fermanagh to Bordeaux. This festival honours the Barton family's rich connection to the Fermanagh Lakelands and will showcase the finest wine and…

Dates

From:

31 May 2025to28 June 2025

More Info