About
Open House Festival is an annual summer event that takes place in the beautiful seaside city of Bangor, County Down, curated and run by Open House, a local charity dedicated to regenerating the city through arts and culture. The festival's eclectic programme includes music, comedy, film, theatre, boat trips, food and drink, talks and tours, and crafting events.
This year, Open House Festival has a packed programme of ticketed and free events at various locations in Bangor throughout July and August. Key venues are the beautiful Walled Garden at Bangor Castle, where acts perform on the festival stage under a stretch tent canopy, and the Court House on Bangor seafront, a Victorian listed building repurposed by Open House into a thriving music venue.
Festival highlights for the 12th annual Open House Festival include two special evenings at the Walled Garden with Snow Patrol's Gary Lightbody talking about his recently published book, The Forest is the Path.
There's music from the likes of Mary Coughlan, Lisa O'Neill, Ye Vagabonds, Duke Special, and Dana Masters. Comedy acts include Chris Kent, Neil Delamere, Emer McBride, and Paddy Raff. Other literary guests include Alan Johnson, Chris Whitaker, Wendy Erskine, and Karen Hao. And there's much more besides – including DJ sets, conversation events, poetry, food and wine tastings, art walks, and a vintage market. And it wouldn't be Open House Festival without the legendary Folk on a Boat events.
The Festival also hosts Picnic in the Park each Sunday throughout July and August, with free live music at the band stand in Ward Park. The whole summer season kicks off on Friday 4th July, with the annual Pickie to Pier Swim event.
The full festival programme can be viewed on the Open House website
Book Tickets
Facilities
Accessibility
- All areas accessible to disabled visitors
- Guide dogs permitted
- Toilets for disabled visitors
Event Facilities
- Booking Required
Parking & Transport
- Station nearby
