Ould Lammas Fair returns to Ballycastle with four days of tradition, music and family fun

Thousands of people are expected to descend on Ballycastle later this month as the historic Ould Lammas Fair returns with four days of horse trading, street markets, live music, family entertainment, food and fireworks.

Running from Saturday 22 to Tuesday 25 August, Ireland’s oldest fair will once again take over Ballycastle town centre and seafront, combining traditions stretching back centuries with a packed programme of modern entertainment.

Among this year’s highlights are the Heavy Horse Show and parade through Ballycastle, traditional horse trading at Fairhill Street, vintage vehicles, street theatre, artisan markets, a Street Food Village, family activities and live music, while Saturday night will culminate in a fireworks display from the seafront at 9.30pm.

And, of course, two of the tastes most closely associated with the Ould Lammas Fair — Yellow Man and dulse — will once again be part of an event which has become a major fixture in the north coast summer calendar.

Four days with something different to offer

The festivities get under way on Saturday 22 August, when the seafront becomes one of the main hubs of activity.

A Heavy Horse Show takes place at Sheskburn Car Park from 10am to 3pm, followed by a parade through the town at 1pm.

Vintage vehicles will also be on display at McQuillan GAA from 11am to 4pm, with their parade through Ballycastle taking place at approximately 2pm.

Families can head to the seafront Family Fun Zone from 11am until late, while street theatre from Babcock & Bobbins – The Mac Factor runs from 3pm to 8pm.

Live entertainment on the Seafront Music Stage begins at 3pm and continues into the evening, featuring Caroline Fleck, Siobhan Mullan & Uke Thyme, Ukelele Group, Peter Brogan, Brian Robb, Andy Oliver & Special Guest, and Hitman and Her Band.

The Naturally North Coast & Glens Market will run from 11am to 5pm, the Street Food Village from 11am to 11pm and the Bubble Bike from noon to 6pm.

Saturday then reaches its finale with fireworks over the seafront at 9.30pm.

Music takes centre stage on Sunday

The atmosphere continues on Sunday 23 August with another full day of food, markets and family entertainment.

The Naturally North Coast & Glens Market will be open at the seafront from 11am to 6pm, alongside the Street Food Village from 11am to 11pm and Family Fun Zone from 11am until late.

The Bubble Bike returns between noon and 6pm.

Music takes over later in the day, with Eoghan Quigg performing on the Seafront Music Stage from 5pm to 6.15pm, followed by Chloe Mac from 6.30pm to 7.45pm.

Attention then moves to The Diamond, where Dusty Windowsills perform from 7.15pm to 8.30pm, before All Folk’d Up bring Sunday night to a close from 9pm to 10.30pm.

Centuries-old traditions return

Monday 24 and Tuesday 25 August bring the traditional heart of the Ould Lammas Fair to the fore as street trading spreads throughout Ballycastle.

Trading will run from 8am to 9pm on Monday and 8am to 8.30pm on Tuesday, while the historic horse-trading tradition returns to Fairhill Street from 10am to 6pm on both days.

Horseshoe demonstrations will take place at Fairhill Street from noon until 5pm, approximately every 90 minutes.

Visitors will also find buskers at locations throughout the town, a mobile animal farm at Clare Street, have-a-go activities and the continuing Family Fun Zone, market and Street Food Village.

Ballycastle Museum at Castle Street will be open from 11am to 5pm on both Monday and Tuesday.

A full programme of music will run on the seafront across the two traditional fair days, with performers including Baile an Chaistil Comhaltas, Mulholland Sisters, Sarah Carson, Jamie Sloan, Erin Doherty, Polar Bolero Duo, Tog go Bog e, Conor and Jack, James Bradley and Half Cut.

‘A much-loved part of Ballycastle’s identity’

Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Dawn Huggins, said the event remains important to both the town and generations of families who return year after year.

“The Ould Lammas Fair is a much-loved part of Ballycastle’s identity and a highlight of the summer calendar for residents and visitors alike. Its unique combination of centuries-old traditions, local traders, entertainment and family activities creates an atmosphere that is unlike any other event.

“As Mayor, I’m delighted to welcome everyone to Ballycastle for this year’s Fair. Whether you’re returning to enjoy a tradition that has been part of your family for years or experiencing the Ould Lammas Fair for the first time, there will be plenty to see, do and enjoy across the four days.”

For anyone planning a trip, here is the full 2026 Ould Lammas Fair programme:

SATURDAY 22 AUGUST

Family Fun Zone

Seafront

11am – late

Heavy Horse Show followed by parade through the town at 1pm

Sheskburn Car Park

10am – 3pm

Vintage Vehicles Display & Parade through the town

McQuillan GAA

11am – 4pm

Parade approximately 2pm

Street Theatre – Babcock & Bobbins: The Mac Factor

Seafront

3pm – 8pm

Seafront Music Stage with Caroline Fleck

• Siobhan Mullan & Uke Thyme / Ukelele Group – 3pm – 4pm

• Peter Brogan – 4.10pm – 5.10pm

• Brian Robb – 5.20pm – 6.20pm

• Andy Oliver & Special Guest – 6.30pm – 7.30pm

• Hitman and Her Band – 8pm – 9.30pm

Bubble Bike

Seafront

12 noon – 6pm

Naturally North Coast & Glens Market

Seafront

11am – 5pm

Street Food Village

Seafront

11am – 11pm

Fireworks

Seafront

9.30pm

SUNDAY 23 AUGUST

Naturally North Coast & Glens Market

Seafront

11am – 6pm

Street Food Village

Seafront

11am – 11pm

Family Fun Zone

Seafront

11am – late

Bubble Bike

Seafront

12 noon – 6pm

Seafront Music Stage

• Eoghan Quigg – 5pm – 6.15pm

• Chloe Mac – 6.30pm – 7.45pm

Live bands – The Diamond

• Dusty Windowsills – 7.15pm – 8.30pm

• All Folk’d Up – 9pm – 10.30pm

MONDAY 24 & TUESDAY 25 AUGUST

Traditional Fair – Street Trading

Throughout the town

Monday: 8am – 9pm

Tuesday: 8am – 8.30pm

Ballycastle Museum

Castle Street

11am – 5pm

Seafront Music Stage – Monday

• Baile an Chaistil Comhaltas – 11am – 12.15pm

• Mulholland Sisters – 12.30pm – 1.45pm

• Sarah Carson – 2pm – 3.15pm

• Jamie Sloan – 3.30pm – 4.45pm

• Erin Doherty – 5pm – 6.15pm

• Polar Bolero Duo – 6.30pm – 8pm

Seafront Music Stage – Tuesday

• Baile an Chaistil Comhaltas – 11am – 12.15pm

• Tog go Bog e – 12.30pm – 1.45pm

• Conor and Jack – 2pm – 3.15pm

• James Bradley – 3.30pm – 4.45pm

• Half Cut – 5pm – 6.30pm

Busking Stations

Various locations throughout the town

Monday: 11am – 7.45pm

Tuesday: 11am – 6.15pm

Family Fun Zone

Seafront

11am – late

Mobile Animal Farm

Clare Street

11am – 6pm

Quiet time: 10am – 11am

Have-a-go activities

Seafront

12 noon – 4pm

Bubble Bike

Seafront

12 noon – 6pm

Horseshoe Demonstrations

Fairhill Street

12 noon – 5pm

Approximately every 1.5 hours

Horse Trading

Fairhill Street

10am – 6pm

Naturally North Coast & Glens Market

Seafront

10am – 6pm

Street Food Village

Seafront

11am – 11pm

The programme may be subject to change. Visitors are encouraged to check the official Ould Lammas Fair information from Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council before travelling, including the latest frequently asked questions and travel guidance.

With four days spanning traditional trading, horses, music, food and family entertainment, this year’s fair offers plenty of reasons to make the trip to Ballycastle — whether maintaining a family tradition or experiencing the Ould Lammas Fair for the first time.