Ould Lammas Fair brings four free days to Ballycastle: what residents need to know
The Ould Lammas Fair returns to Ballycastle from Saturday 22 to Tuesday 25 August 2026, filling the town’s streets and seafront with four days of trading, music and family entertainment. Entry is free, and the public event is aimed at families, local residents, visitors and anyone drawn to its centuries-old traditions.
Causeway Coast and Glens Council says the fair attracts thousands of visitors and remains closely connected to Ballycastle’s identity. This year’s programme moves from weekend entertainment into two days centred on traders, horses and the customs for which the fair is known.
Heavy horses, street theatre and Saturday fireworks
Saturday opens with the Heavy Horse Show and parade, a Vintage Vehicle Display, street theatre and family activities. Live music will run on the seafront, while the Naturally North Coast & Glens Market brings together artisan crafts, local produce and distinctive goods from traders.
The Street Food Village and Family Fun Zone will stay open late on each night of the fair. Saturday’s programme ends with fireworks over Ballycastle at 9.30pm, giving first-day visitors a clear final event around which to plan their evening.
Sunday music stretches from the seafront to The Diamond
The entertainment continues on Sunday 23 August with Eoghan Quigg and Chloe Mac performing on the Seafront Music Stage. Later in the evening, Dusty Windowsills and All Folk’d Up will play at The Diamond.
That combination gives Sunday a stronger live-music focus while the market, food village and family zone continue elsewhere around the event area. Visitors can move between performances, stalls and seafront activities rather than relying on a single stage or attraction.
Horse trading takes over for Monday and Tuesday
The character of the fair shifts on Monday 24 and Tuesday 25 August, when hundreds of traders line Ballycastle’s streets. Fairhill Street will host the historic horse-trading tradition, placing one of the event’s oldest customs at the centre of its final two days.
Horseshoe demonstrations, busking stations, live music and a mobile animal farm are also included in the programme. For visitors choosing between days, the weekend places greater emphasis on staged entertainment, while Monday and Tuesday foreground trading and equestrian traditions.
Food remains part of the fair’s identity throughout the four-day programme. Alongside the Street Food Village and local produce market, visitors will find Yellow Man and dulse, the two local favourites most closely associated with the Ould Lammas Fair.
What visitors should check before travelling
The event takes place across Ballycastle’s streets and seafront, rather than at one enclosed venue. No overall opening or closing times have been supplied, and the announcement does not provide accessibility arrangements or detailed transport instructions.
Causeway Coast and Glens Council directs visitors to the official event information for the complete programme, frequently asked questions and travel guidance. Anyone planning around a particular performance, activity or journey should check those details before setting out, especially as different parts of the programme run across four days and several town locations.
Source: Causeway Coast and Glens Council News
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Dates, location, admission and programme details were checked against information published by Causeway Coast and Glens Council.
- Confirmed the fair runs from 22 to 25 August 2026.
- Confirmed the event covers Ballycastle’s streets and seafront.
- Checked the named performers and daily programme highlights.
- Kept missing opening times, accessibility and transport details clearly identified.
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- Causeway Coast and Glens Council News
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- Ballycastle
- Updated
- 2026-08-14 18:53
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