Ulster Folk Museum Making Festival 2026

What to Expect

The Making Festival is the highlight of the Ulster Folk Museum’s summer calendar. Over 25 craft demonstrators take over the open-air museum, showcasing skills including thatching, stone masonry, lime washing, dry-stone walling, signwriting, stained glass, willow work and straw rope making. Hands-on activities let visitors try the crafts themselves. The museum’s authentic Picture House hosts traditional music performances and film screenings. In-house demonstrators work at blacksmithing, textiles, wood and more throughout both days. The event is set across the 136-acre outdoor museum, which preserves authentic Ulster buildings from over 100 years ago.

Good to Know

• Dates: Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 August 2026.

• General admission ticket required; during summer (25 June - 1 September 2026) tickets are purchased on the day as part of the Great British Summer Savings Scheme.

• A 50% return visit discount is available for general admission visitors between 1 July and 31 August 2026.

• Visitors can make mini bodhrans and play traditional instruments in the instrument petting zoo.

• The museum is at Cultra, on the southern shore of Belfast Lough, just outside Holywood.

Getting There

The Ulster Folk Museum is on the Bangor Road at Cultra. Cultra railway station (Belfast to Bangor line) is adjacent to the site. The museum is approximately 7 miles east of Belfast city centre by road.