Embrace a summer of staycations and indulge in local delicacies at Northern Ireland’s first ever Food & Craft Festival taking place in Antrim this July. Whether it’s a picnic in the park, discovering the historic origins of Antrim town or giving your tastebuds a treat at the Artisan Food and Drink Market, the people of Antrim and a far won’t forget this festival of fun.
Kicking off the 3-day festival is the Taste of NI Garden Party, where ticket holders will enjoy canapés and small bites of local NI produce against the beautiful backdrop of Antrim Castle Gardens.
A Historic Walking Tour at Clotworthy House will provide visitors with food and wine tasting while learning about the origins of Antrim Town and its founding family.
As dusk settles, a fun filled evening awaits at the Twilight Market, with delicious food and marvellous crafts waiting to be discovered along with magical entertainment from local talent in Market Square, situated beside Castle Mall Shopping Centre.
The Junction Retail and Leisure Park in Antrim will act as the festival’s food hub, showcasing a mouth-watering range of local food and beverage producers, cooking demonstrations, award-winning food trucks and family entertainment. The festival’s official drinks partner, Jake’s Cocktail Bar, will also host a pop-up beer garden where visitors can sit back and soak up the atmosphere.
For arts and crafts fanatics, Market Square will be the hotspot to discover the wide range of local handcrafted products. One of the most popular events throughout the 3-day festival is set to be the Picnic in the Park, where families can enjoy a day of foodie fun in the Antrim Castle Gardens featuring live entertainment, a creative zone, and a pop-up urban farm.
The festival makes its arrival on Friday 16th July until Sunday 18th July, launching a host of activities including:
Friday 16th July:
- Taste of NI Garden Party at Antrim Castle Gardens – 12pm-3pm
- Historic Walking Tour with Food & Wine Tasting with Antrim Walking Tours – 1pm
- Twilight Market at Market Square – 5pm-9pm
Saturday 17th July:
- Artisan Food & Drink Market at The Junction Antrim – 10am-5pm
- Art, Craft & Lifestyle Market at Market Square – 10am-3pm
- Historic Walking Tour with Food & Wine Tasting with Antrim Walking Tours – 1pm
- Picnic in the Park at Antrim Castle Gardens – 11am-4pm
Sunday 18th July:
- Art, Craft & Lifestyle Market at Market Square – 12pm – 5pm
- Artisan Food & Drink Market at The Junction Antrim – 12pm-5pm
Please note, booking is required for the Historic Walking Tours, Picnic in the Park and Taste of NI Garden Party. A shuttle bus service will run between the three main locations on Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th July.
For further information on the event and admission fees, visit www.nifoodandcraftfestival.com or connect with NI Food & Craft Festival on Facebook and Instagram @nifoodfest.