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festivals · Saturday 5 September 2026 · Various 
Eats & Beats Festival
At Newcastle Grounds · Newcastle, Co. Down
At Newcastle Grounds · Newcastle, Co. Down
Now in its fifth year, the Eats & Beats Festival has become one of the standout weekends on the northeast calendar - two days of live music and serious food in Donard Park, with Slieve Donard rising directly behind you and the Irish Sea a short walk away. It draws food lovers, music fans and families in equal measure, and the setting alone makes it worth the trip even before a note is played or a plate is lifted.
The festival runs across Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 September, from morning into the evening. Two dedicated stages run in parallel throughout the weekend. The Homegrown Stage puts local and national talent front and centre - D:Ream and Eric Bell have been confirmed among the acts - while the World Stage brings international performers spanning gospel, blues, ska and world music. In total, 24-plus acts appear across the two days.
Food is given equal billing to the music. More than 24 vendors and 18 regional producers fill the park, ranging from fresh seafood from Carlingford Lough to artisan cheeses, baked goods and gourmet street food. The programme includes live cookery demonstrations running throughout both days, with chef Paul Cunningham leading proceedings and television presenters Jenny Bristow (Saturday), Suzie Lee and Paula McIntyre (Sunday) joining him on stage. Vegan and vegetarian options are catered for across the food stalls.
Families are well looked after. A dedicated Kids Zone and a Curious Minds Experience run alongside the main programme, so there is genuinely something to occupy younger visitors rather than just tolerating them at the edges.
Daily tickets are priced at £5, with children aged four and under admitted free. Family ticket packages are also available.
Newcastle, Co. Down sits roughly 50 km south of Belfast on the A24, and about 30 km from Newry via the A2 coast road. By car it is the most straightforward approach; Donard Park sits at the southern end of the town, close to the Slieve Donard Hotel, and is easy to spot from the main road. Ulsterbus operates services from Belfast (Europa Bus Centre) to Newcastle throughout the day; journey time is around an hour. Parking in town fills quickly during festival weekends, so arriving early or using the park-and-walk option from the beach car parks is worth considering.
The town sits at the foot of the Mournes and is the main gateway for walking the Brandy Pad, climbing Slieve Donard or cycling the Mourne Way. The beach promenade is flat and accessible, and there are good places to eat in town beyond the festival grounds. There is more to see in Newcastle and across Co. Down.
Heading to Newcastle Grounds in Newcastle? Down has plenty more to see. Read the Newcastle area guide, find what else is on, and explore the towns and villages nearby.