Causeway Coastevents calendar2027.
Causeway Coast events calendar 2027.
- Updated September 2026
- Festivals, races, golf and markets
Road racing in May, links golf in June, festivals all summer and fireworks into the autumn. Every date worth planning a north coast trip around, month by month.
The biggest dates on Northern Ireland's north coast in 2027 are the North West 200 in May, the Amateur Championship at Royal Portrush from 14 to 19 June, Stendhal Festival from 1 to 3 July, the Red Sails Festival in Portstewart in late July, the Ould Lammas Fair in Ballycastle on 30 and 31 August, and the Bushmills Salmon & Whiskey Festival in early October. This guide from Nestled Property Management lists every major event month by month, marks which dates are confirmed, and is updated as organisers announce the rest.
How to read the dates. Some 2027 dates are already fixed. Others follow a pattern that has held for years but haven't been announced yet, so we show the expected timing and the most recent dates for reference. Always check with the organiser before you book travel.
The Amateur Championship at Royal Portrush
ConfirmedStendhal Festival at Ballymully Cottage Farm, Limavady
ConfirmedOuld Lammas Fair in Ballycastle, on its traditional dates
ExpectedThe coast wakes upfor the season
Spring is when the coast is quietest and walking is at its best. Easter falls early in 2027, so the first busy weekend of the year arrives at the end of March.
Causeway Coast and Glens Walking Festival
ExpectedTrails across the borough
Guided walks through forest, mountain and coastal paths, led by local experts. The 2026 festival ran from 13 to 15 March.
St Patrick's Day
ConfirmedTowns across the north coast
A bank holiday in Northern Ireland, falling on a Wednesday in 2027. Check local listings for parades and live music.
Easter weekend
ConfirmedGood Friday to Easter Monday
The first long weekend of the season and a popular time for family breaks on the coast, with attractions opening up for the spring.
Find an Easter stayBallymoney Spring Fair
ExpectedBallymoney town centre
Two days of artisan stalls, live music, a vintage vehicle display and a carnival parade, about 20 minutes inland from the coast. In 2026 it ran on 17 and 18 April.
The North West 200and a bank holiday by the sea
Early May bank holiday
ConfirmedMonday 3 May
A long weekend that often lines up with the build-up to race week.
North West 200 Race Week
ExpectedPortrush, Portstewart and Coleraine
Ireland's largest outdoor sporting event, raced on the 8.9-mile Triangle circuit between the three towns. Race week also brings Meet the Riders in Coleraine town centre, beach races on Portrush East Strand and a Friday fireworks night at The Crescent in Portstewart. The 2027 dates haven't been announced yet; in 2026 race week ran from 4 to 9 May.
Book direct for race weekRathlin Sound Festival
ExpectedBallycastle and Rathlin Island
Music, folk sessions, storytelling and maritime heritage on both sides of the Sound, built around the late May bank holiday. The spring bank holiday falls on Monday 31 May in 2027.
Championship golfreturns to Royal Portrush
The 132nd Amateur Championship
ConfirmedRoyal Portrush Golf Club
Two years after The Open, The R&A brings the world's top amateur golfers to Portrush. Stroke play qualifying is played over the Dunluce and Valley links, with match play on the Dunluce. A pre-qualifier takes place on the Valley on 11 June.
Stay close to Royal PortrushComing for the golf? Our guide to the top golf courses along the Causeway Coast covers where else to play while you're here.
Music, road racingand a week of Red Sails
Stendhal Festival
ConfirmedBallymully Cottage Farm, Limavady
Northern Ireland's best-known independent music and arts festival, with eight stages, camping, comedy, art installations and a dedicated family programme.
July bank holiday
ConfirmedMonday 12 July
The middle of July is peak holiday time in Northern Ireland, and the coast is at its liveliest.
Red Sails Festival
ExpectedPortstewart
A week of free events run by the Portstewart Community Association: the Blessing of the Boats, evening bands at the Bandstand, sandcastle and talent competitions, a children's parade and a fireworks finale at The Crescent. In 2026 it ran from 19 to 25 July.
Book a Portstewart stayArmoy Road Races
ExpectedArmoy, near Ballycastle
Two days of road racing culminating in the Race of Legends, with a full race week in the village beforehand. The 2026 races were on 24 and 25 July.
Summer street theatre
ExpectedPortrush, Portstewart and Ballycastle
Free seaside entertainment through the school holidays: stilt walkers, fire performers, jugglers, magic shows and kite displays.
Fireworks, the Glensand Ireland's oldest fair
Portrush Summer Entertainment & Fireworks
ExpectedLansdowne Green, Portrush
A free evening of live music and family entertainment, finishing with fireworks over the sea. Planned for Saturday 8 August in 2026.
Heart of the Glens Festival
ExpectedCushendall
One of the largest community festivals in Northern Ireland, with a full programme of cultural events in the Glens of Antrim.
Ould Lammas Fair
ExpectedBallycastle
Ireland's oldest recorded fair, held on the last Monday and Tuesday of August, which in 2027 is 30 and 31 August (the Monday is also the summer bank holiday). It now runs as a four-day event, with horse trading on Fairhill Street, street traders, live music, a seafront stage and fireworks. Try the Yellowman and dulse. Up to 130,000 visitors come over the four days.
Book direct for Lammas weekendWhiskey, salmonand Halloween fireworks
After the summer crowds leave, September brings quieter beaches, golf in good light and easier dinner reservations. It's one of the best months to see the coast.
Bushmills Salmon & Whiskey Festival
ExpectedBushmills village and distillery
Cookery demonstrations, whiskey tastings, an artisan market, fly-fishing demonstrations and a taste trail through the village. It also opens a month of food and drink experiences across the borough. In 2026 it was planned for the first weekend of October.
Stay in BushmillsHalloween Happenings
ExpectedColeraine, Ballycastle, Limavady and Ballymoney
Four nights of spooky trails, parades, live music and fireworks across the last week of October. Coleraine's event is held at the Ulster University campus, and Ballycastle's takes over the seafront. Halloween falls on a Sunday in 2027.
Live music andChristmas lights
Atlantic Sessions
ExpectedPortrush and Portstewart
Four days of original live music in bars, hotels and churches across both towns, with more than 30 free gigs plus ticketed showcases. In 2026 it runs from 12 to 15 November.
Book a winter breakChristmas light switch-ons
ExpectedColeraine, Ballycastle, Limavady and Ballymoney
Parades, live music, late-night shopping and a visit from Santa as each town turns on its lights through the second half of November.
Causeway Speciality Market
Coleraine town centre
Running since 2006 and held twice a month, it has grown into Northern Ireland's largest regular outdoor market of artisan food, craft and art.
Planning a 2027trip to the coast
The organisers have not announced the 2027 dates yet. Race week is held in May, and in 2026 it ran from 4 to 9 May. We will update this page as soon as the 2027 dates are confirmed.
The fair is traditionally held on the last Monday and Tuesday of August, which in 2027 falls on 30 and 31 August. In recent years it has grown into a four-day event, with activity in Ballycastle building from the weekend before.
Yes. The R&A has confirmed that the 132nd Amateur Championship will be played at Royal Portrush from 14 to 19 June 2027, with a pre-qualifier on the Valley links on 11 June.
Stendhal Festival 2027 runs from Thursday 1 to Saturday 3 July at Ballymully Cottage Farm, Limavady.
Portrush and Portstewart put you on the North West 200 circuit and close to Royal Portrush. Ballycastle is the base for the Ould Lammas Fair and the Rathlin Sound Festival. Bushmills and Portballintrae sit between the two and suit the Salmon & Whiskey Festival. Nestled has holiday homes across these towns that you can book directly with our local team.
Looking back? See what was on in our 2026 Causeway Coast events calendar.
Pick your dates. We'll have the keys ready.
- Book direct with the team who manage the home
- Local advice on events, parking and where to eat
- Holiday homes across the Causeway Coast