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festivals · Wednesday 23 September 2026 · Various 
Aspects Festival
At Bangor Castle · Castle Park Avenue, Bangor, Co. Down, BT20 4BT
At Bangor Castle · Castle Park Avenue, Bangor, Co. Down, BT20 4BT
Aspects Festival, Northern Ireland’s longest-running literature festival, takes over venues across Bangor from Wednesday 23 September to Sunday 4 October 2026 for its 35th year. The programme spans poetry, nature writing, biography, fiction and creative workshops, spread across Bangor Castle, Bangor Abbey, the Carnegie Library and other town venues rather than one single festival site. Tickets go on sale from 6 August 2026, once the full programme is confirmed.
The 2026 line-up includes nature writer Dara McAnulty launching his new book at Clandeboye Estate, followed by an evening performance with pianist Xenia Pestova Bennett. Biographer Stephen Walker discusses his book on David Trimble in conversation with Lady Hermon at Bangor Abbey, and actress and author Carol Drinkwater appears at Bangor Castle to talk about her latest novel. A dedicated evening remembers the late poet Michael Longley with readings and personal recollections, alongside a companion exhibition by artist Pauline Little at Bangor Carnegie Library. Beyond the headline names, the programme typically includes bookbinding and creative writing workshops, podcast and storytelling events, and guided tours, with events pitched at a range of ages and reading interests across the festival’s near two week run.
Bangor Castle and the town’s festival venues are within walking distance of Bangor town centre, itself on the Belfast to Bangor railway line, roughly 30 minutes from Belfast city centre. Car parking is available around the castle grounds and in the town centre.
Bangor’s seafront, marina and castle grounds make an easy base for a festival visit, with plenty of cafes and restaurants nearby between events. There is more to see in Bangor and across Co. Down.
Heading to Bangor Castle in Bangor? Down has plenty more to see. Read the Bangor area guide, find what else is on, and explore the towns and villages nearby.