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← All events festivals · Sunday 26 July 2026 · Various

Bluegrass BBQ & Festival

At Ulster American Folk Park · Ulster American Folk Park, Castletown, Omagh, Co. Tyrone

Bluegrass BBQ Festival at Ulster American Folk Park

The Ulster American Folk Park has been hosting bluegrass music in Omagh for over three decades, and the summer Bluegrass BBQ series is a more relaxed, Sunday-afternoon version of that tradition. On 26 July 2026, Pilgrim Street and Aiden Scott-Browne take to the outdoor stage, with performances running across the afternoon from 14:00. If you like live acoustic music, proper outdoor food, and a venue that actually means something historically, this is worth the drive.

The setting makes it more than a gig. The Ulster American Folk Park tells the story of Ulster emigrants who sailed to Appalachia in the 18th and 19th centuries, and it is that same migration - those songs and memories carried across the Atlantic - that eventually shaped bluegrass, country and old-time music. Hearing it played here, in the grounds of a working open-air folk museum, gives the afternoon a depth you would not get in a marquee in a town centre car park.

What to expect

The park opens at 10:00, so you can spend the morning walking the reconstructed cottages and dockside buildings before the music starts. Performances are split into two slots in the early and mid afternoon, finishing around 17:30. A BBQ and food vendors are on site, with a paid bar also running during the event. Your admission covers entry to both the museum and the live performances - there are no separate stage tickets to buy on top.

The July date features Pilgrim Street alongside Aiden Scott-Browne. Expect bluegrass, Americana and old-time sounds in an outdoor setting with room to spread out.

Getting there

The Ulster American Folk Park is on the Mellon Road at Castletown, a few kilometres north of Omagh town centre on the A5. By car it is straightforward from Enniskillen, Derry, Belfast or Armagh - all within 90 minutes. There is free parking on site for over 400 cars, so arriving early on a busy Sunday is still manageable. For those travelling by public transport, the 273 Metrobus from Belfast serves Omagh; journey time is around two hours.

While you’re in Omagh

Omagh town centre is a short drive south and has a good range of cafes and restaurants if you want to make an evening of it. The Strule Arts Centre runs a regular programme through the summer. There is more to see in Omagh and across Co. Tyrone.

Good to know

  • Date: Sunday 26 July 2026
  • Times: Museum opens 10:00; performances from 14:00, finishing around 17:30
  • Performers: Pilgrim Street and Aiden Scott-Browne
  • Price: Paid admission (covers museum entry and all performances); book in advance - capacity is limited and tickets may not be available on the day
  • Booking: ulsteramericanfolkpark.org
  • Parking: Free on site, 400+ spaces
  • 2026 context: This year marks both the 50th anniversary of the Ulster American Folk Park and the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence
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