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festivals · Saturday 1 August 2026 · Various 
Open House Festival
At Multiple venues in Bangor · Bangor, Co. Down
At Multiple venues in Bangor · Bangor, Co. Down
Every August, Bangor’s Open House Festival turns the whole town into a cultural venue. Now in its 13th year, this month-long programme stretches across the entire month of August and draws north of 50,000 visitors to Co. Down’s coast. It suits anyone who enjoys live music, good comedy, theatre, and a town that feels alive - but it also works perfectly as a day trip from Belfast, a family weekend, or a reason to finally explore the north Down coast properly.
The 2026 programme runs to more than 50 events, with the headliners announced already and more to come through the summer. Music acts confirmed include Lisa Hannigan, The Staves, The Tallest Man on Earth, Luka Bloom, The Henry Girls, Declan O’Rourke, and Hothouse Flowers. On the comedy side: Deirdre O’Kane, Neil Delamere, and Emer Maguire. There are also literary events - guests include journalist Sally Hayden and first-time novelist Gina Goldhammer, whose debut appeared when she was 72. Food and drink events, art, and talks round out the month.
The two focal venues are the Bangor Castle Walled Garden - a covered outdoor stage (stretch tent canopy means rain does not stop play) - and the Court House on the seafront, a refurbished Victorian listed building that Open House acquired from the Courts Service in the first Community Asset Transfer of its kind in Northern Ireland. Open House is a non-profit charity; any surplus goes back into the arts programme.
Tickets vary by event. Some are free; others are ticketed. Check the full schedule at openhousefestival.com for current availability and pricing.
Bangor sits on the south shore of Belfast Lough, about 20 minutes from Belfast by road or rail. Translink runs regular trains from Belfast Great Victoria Street and Central Station direct to Bangor - the journey is straightforward and takes you straight into the town centre, within easy walking distance of both main venues. By car, take the A2 coastal road from Belfast. Street parking is available in the town, and there are pay-and-display car parks close to the seafront and castle. During August the town gets busy on event evenings, so the train is often the easier option.
Bangor has a working seafront, a castle and museum, and easy access to Crawfordsburn Country Park a short drive along the coast. There is more to see in Bangor and across Co. Down.
Heading to Multiple venues in Bangor 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.