Sea Bangor, Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 May 2026
This event is open for applications to trade at Tourism Events in Ards and North Down Borough Council (ANDBC) Area 2026.
Event information
Sea Bangor is a maritime event that celebrates and showcases Bangor Marina and the maritime heritage of the town. The event has been running successfully in this format for over 10 years. Historically, the outdoor event takes place at Quay Street Car park and along the Eisenhower Pier. In 2024 the event attracted 30,000 people, there were reduced numbers in 2025 due to poor weather.
Further to the constraints of the weather in 2025, the council are exploring the possibility of pedestrianising the area from Quay Street car park to the roundabout in front of the Nines Hotel. This would enable the relocation of the food trucks, normally situated on the Pier, allowing freer access and less congestion on the Pier and the introduction of some authentic maritime activities. The pedestrianised area would add to the ‘festival’ feel and extend the existing foodprint of the event.
It is hoped for 2026 to present, in conjunction with the Royal Navy, Turn to Starboard and the Invictus Games to launch ‘Full Circle’ a 2,000-nautical mile circumnavigation of the UK by two tall ships. Full Circle is a 12-week sailing expedition carrying the Invictus Games Flag around the UK ahead of Birmingham 2027. Two traditionally rigged tall ships – Pellew and Spirit of Falmouth – will undertake the 2,000-nautical-mile journey, calling at ports across all four nations. The voyage will carry the inspirational message of the Games through the Invictus flag as it is carried from Vancouver, Canada 4 to the UK to join the Full Circle team’s expedition, marking a year to the games commencing in Birmingham. The epic adventure will begin on 17 March 2026, departing from Falmouth and travelling anticlockwise around the UK before returning to Falmouth on 11 June 2026. The journey will build momentum ahead of the official one-year-to-go until Invictus Games Birmingham 2027 event in July 2026. The two ships are scheduled to arrive in Bangor on Friday 22 May and stay until Monday 25 May (Bank Holiday Monday).
Additional Sea Bangor will include live music, walkabout street theatre, food demonstrations and, on the water activities.
- Stalls are to be operational from 11am – 6pm on Saturday and from 11am-6pm on Sunday.
- Please note that the site will be open for a quiet hour between 11am and 12noon each day to facilitate patrons who may struggle with larger crowds of people.
- Load in will be from 6pm on Friday 22nd May 2026, with pre-booked arrival slots available.
- Traders must unload their vehicle and then move immediately to the nearest public car park.
What we are looking for
We are looking for traders with produce (food) to take home and street food. **FOOD TRUCKS ONLY**
Ideally the food offerings will reflect the seaside from traditional fish and chips and ice cream to more modern and innovative interpretations on this theme.
We have also secured a marquee space for table-based crafts sales at this event.
Priority is given to traders in this order:
1. Bangor traders
2. Members of AND Food Network
3. Craft traders
4. Traders from Ards and North Down; however, traders from further afield may be considered where the product on offer is not produced locally
We look for creative and aesthetically pleasing stalls which fit in with the aims of the festival and are keen for the festival market to be full of good quality food/products, at a fair price.
If you are interested in applying to trade at this event, please tick the relevant box on the application form.
Apply now - Download application form – closing date Friday 13 March.
