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festivals · Monday 3 August 2026 · Various 
Heart of the Glens Festival 2026
At Cushendall village centre and surrounds · Cushendall, Co. Antrim
At Cushendall village centre and surrounds · Cushendall, Co. Antrim
Every August for more than three decades, the village of Cushendall in the Glens of Antrim has given itself over entirely to nine days of parades, music, sport, food, and dancing. The Heart of the Glens Festival - running since 1990 and now one of the largest community festivals in Northern Ireland - is the kind of event that draws people back year after year. Families plan their summer holidays around it; locals who moved away make a point of coming home for it. It suits anyone who wants a proper festival rooted in place, with real community involvement rather than a corporate-sponsored weekend in a field.
The programme tops 100 events across the nine days, and it covers ground that most festivals do not. The opening is a float and lorry parade - around 90 vehicles at the last count, joined by more than 15 community groups and local businesses - that sets the tone for the week. From there the calendar fans out: the Lurig Challenge Run (entries are capped at 400, so register early), sheepdog trials, a Glens Vintage Day with classic vehicles, an RNLI Open Day, a Food Fest evening, a craft fair, an adult treasure hunt, a theme fancy dress night, sailing, cycling, golf, heritage walks, and children’s workshops. The festival finishes with the Grand Finale Street Ceili - Irish dancing, live music, and the famous Waves of Tory, all played out on the streets of the village. Most daytime events and the main parade are free; some evening entertainment sessions are ticketed.
Cushendall sits on the A2 Antrim Coastal Road, about 30 miles north of Belfast. It is a straightforward drive up the coast - the road itself is worth the journey, running along cliff edges above the sea before dropping into the village. Ulsterbus service 150 connects Cushendall with Ballymena and Larne. During the festival, road closures apply around parade routes, so allow extra time and follow local signage for parking, which is available in the village but fills quickly on parade days.
The festival is a good excuse to explore the surrounding area at a slower pace - the Glens of Antrim are right on the doorstep, and the coastal scenery between here and Ballycastle rewards any detour. There is more to see in Cushendall and across Co. Antrim.
Heading to Cushendall village centre and surrounds in Cushendall? Antrim has plenty more to see. Read the Cushendall area guide, find what else is on, and explore the towns and villages nearby.