- Naturally North Coast & Glens Makers Market at Ballycastle Seafront (e.g., 21 June and other summer dates): A popular dog-friendly artisan market on the seafront featuring local food producers, craft makers, handmade goods, and regional produce. Ideal for visitors exploring the Causeway Coastal Route.
- Friends Goodwill Music Festival, Larne (27–28 June): A weekend music event starting with an Irish music concert (featuring The Shamrocks and Briana Corrigan) followed by a free family-friendly day in Curran Park with petting farm, circus workshops, crafts, food trucks, and a bar.
- Stendhal Festival, Ballymully Cottage Farm near Limavady (2–4 July): The region’s largest independent music and arts festival with multiple stages, live music across genres, comedy, poetry, visual arts, workshops, and family activities in a scenic rural setting.
- Belfast TradFest (26 July – 2 August): A celebration of traditional music with world-class concerts, pub sessions, summer school, talks, lectures, céilís, and festival clubs across Belfast, a UNESCO City of Music.
- Féile an Phobail (West Belfast Festival) (late July to early/mid-August, around 25 July – 9 August): Ireland’s biggest community arts festival with a wide programme of inclusive arts, cultural events, music, family activities, and community celebrations, mainly in the Falls Road area.
- Armoy Road Races (Race of Legends), Armoy (24–25 July): Exciting motorcycle road racing on public roads in the Glens of Antrim, known as the home of the Armoy Armada, with free entry and spectator stands available.
- Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, Belfast (2–9 August): The world’s biggest celebration of Irish traditional music, song, dance, and culture, featuring competitions, pub sessions, street performances, concerts, workshops, and more across the city.
- Ould Lammas Fair, Ballycastle (around 22–25 August, traditionally last Monday and Tuesday of August): One of Ireland’s oldest traditional fairs with street entertainment, music, heritage celebrations, agricultural traditions, stalls, and a lively seaside atmosphere.
- Other recurring or smaller events may include additional makers’ markets, local music gatherings, and community activities. Dates can shift slightly; check official sites like Discover NI or Visit Belfast for the latest details and tickets.
Annual & recurring festivals
- NI Science Festival (February) A large-scale celebration with over 200 events across the county focusing on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
- Belfast St Patrick’s Music Festival (March) A multi-day celebration in the city featuring a festival village, traditional music concerts, and a carnival parade.
- Magheramorne Literary Festival (March) A weekend event at the Magheramorne Estate featuring talks from prominent writers, journalists, and historians.
- Ards International Guitar Festival (April) An annual event dedicated to guitar music, featuring performances from international and local artists across various genres.
- Glenarm Castle Tulip Festival (May) A colorful display of over 15,000 tulips within the historic walled gardens, accompanied by craft stalls and live music.
- Ballyscullion Park Book Festival (May) A literary weekend in Magherafelt that includes readings, workshops, and a dedicated children’s book festival.
- Ballymena Charity Vehicle Show (June) One of the largest vintage vehicle rallies in the country, showcasing classic cars, tractors, and steam engines at the Ballymena Showgrounds.
- Éigse na nGlinntí (June) A cultural festival held in Cushendall celebrating Irish language, heritage, and the arts within the Glens of Antrim.
- Stendhal Festival (July) A multi-award-winning music and arts festival located on the scenic Limavady/Causeway Coast border.
- Six Mile Festival (July) A family-oriented weekend festival in Antrim town featuring live music, a street carnival, and food markets.
- Ould Lammas Fair (August) One of Ireland’s oldest traditional fairs, held in Ballycastle and famous for “Yellowman” (honeycomb) and “Dillisk” (dried seaweed).
- Heart of The Glens Festival (August) A nine-day community festival in Cushendall featuring a massive street céilí, parades, and local food stalls.
- Bushmills Salmon & Whiskey Festival (October) A celebration of local heritage and produce centered on the Old Bushmills Distillery, featuring food stalls and whiskey tasting.
- Belfast International Arts Festival (October/November) A world-class contemporary arts festival featuring international theatre, dance, and music performances across the city.
- Antrim Enchanted Winter Garden (December) A festive light trail and Christmas experience held in the historic Antrim Castle Gardens.
Antrim:
Introduction – 1837 – Adventure – Anthem – Archaeology – Attractions – Awards – Birdwatching – Castles – Contact list – Dining – Equestrian –Festivals – Fishing – Folklore – Golf – Graveyards – Happening – Haunted – Highest – Hiking – History – Holy Wells – Hotels – Instagrammable– Itineraries – Largest town – Luxury – MICE – Movies –Musicians – Name – Novelists – Off the beaten track – Poets – Pubs – Quotes – Random facts – Restaurant Awards – Saints – Spas – Sports – Sunsets – Sustainable – Towns – Video – Villages – Walking – Wanderlist – Weddings – Writers
Festivals
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
