Scarva Bandstand Concert Series 2026

What to Expect

The Scarva Bandstand Concert Series is a long-running summer tradition, with different concert, brass, silver and accordion bands from across Northern Ireland performing each Sunday afternoon in the award-winning floral village of Scarva. Concerts run from 3:00pm to 4:00pm at the Victorian-style bandstand beside the Newry Canal, with a different visiting band booked most weeks so the programme varies through the season. No booking is required - visitors simply turn up, and many bring a picnic blanket or folding chair to sit out on the green in front of the bandstand.

The series runs deep into late summer and early autumn, continuing on through August and into September, so by the time this listing’s date falls there are still several weeks of concerts left to enjoy. It draws a loyal following of local families and day-trippers, and the village itself - regularly recognised in Ulster in Bloom competitions for its floral displays - makes for a pleasant setting well beyond the hour of music.

Good to Know

• Every Sunday from 12 April to 27 September 2026, 3:00pm to 4:00pm

• Venue: Scarva Village Bandstand, adjacent to the Newry Canal

• Free admission, no booking required - bring a chair or blanket

• Full band schedule published at visitarmagh.com/scarva-bandstand-concerts

Getting There

Scarva village is on the A27 between Portadown and Banbridge, approximately 10km from Portadown and a similar distance from Banbridge. Parking is available in the village, and the bandstand sits directly on the Newry Canal towpath, a popular route for a walk before or after the concert.

While You’re in Scarva

Scarva’s most famous date is 13 July, when the village hosts the annual Sham Fight re-enactment, but the bandstand concerts give a much quieter reason to visit through the rest of the summer. The Newry Canal towpath runs the length of the village and makes for an easy stroll either side of the hour-long concert, and there are a couple of small cafes and shops in the village for a coffee before or after.