Forty-plus free gigs in Bangor this weekend as Open House Festival 2026 draws to a close

26th August 2026

More than forty free music gigs, plus 15 ticketed shows, are on offer in Bangor city centre this bank holiday weekend as part of the final few days of Open House Festival’s summer programme.

From Friday 28th to Sunday 30th August, several popular bands, including Doghouse Ska, Paul Weller Experience, El Clash Combo (Clash Tribute), and rock’n’rollers the Sabrejets, will join a host of great jazz and blues acts for three days of a FREE live music trail in nine of the city centre bars. Supported by Ards and North Down Borough Council, this is the second year of the Open House Music Trail. Last year it focused on blues and jazz, and while both genres still feature strongly in the programme, this year’s trail will also offer punk, ska, rock’n’roll, soul, funk, trad, and folk.

“We wanted to broaden the programme this year to appeal to a wider audience,” said Open House Festival Development Director, Alison Gordon. “Some of Northern Ireland’s finest musicians will be descending on Bangor over the weekend, including many local legends, and we are expecting even bigger crowds than last year. For us this is a great way to support live musicians, and at the same time draw people into the city centre to support our local bars and businesses."

Though not part of the trail, another free event takes place on Sunday afternoon, with Otis and the Elevators taking to the bandstand in Ward Park for the final Picnic in the Park of the summer.

Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Craig Blaney, said: “The Open House Festival Bangor Free Music Trail is a fantastic addition to the bank holiday weekend, bringing together local venues, talented musicians and music lovers from across the borough and beyond. With more than 40 free performances taking place over three days, it is an incredible opportunity to experience Bangor's vibrant cultural scene, support local businesses and enjoy everything the city has to offer. I would strongly encourage everyone to come along and enjoy what promises to be a wonderful weekend of live music and entertainment.”

Paul Donegan, proprietor of Donegan’s, one of the nine participating bars said: “I am delighted that Open House is bringing the music trail back this year and thrilled that Donegan’s will be part of it again. There will be some incredible live gigs in downtown Bangor, with free admission to all of them. Just like it was during the pre-fleadh events at the beginning of the month, Bangor will be buzzing.”

Aside from the free trail, there are fifteen ticketed festival events over the weekend, including a Bangor Rocks Musical Bus Tour exploring the rich music history of Bangor, and the Cathal Murphy Quartet in the Court House on Saturday afternoon. The Walled Garden will host Lisa Hannigan on Saturday evening, Bangor’s own Darking Air on Sunday afternoon, and Declan O’Rourke on Sunday evening, with Celtic Soul closing out the festival on Monday afternoon.

“Throughout this summer, both here in Bangor, and with the Fleadh in Belfast, we have seen first-hand the value of live music and the community sprit it evokes,” said Alison. “There really is nothing like it, and we’re looking forward to finishing the summer, and this year’s Open House Festival, with a full weekend of great live music and very happy audiences.”

For full details of both the free music trail and the ticketed events, go to www.openhousefestival.com

Open House Festival is an arts charity supported by Ards & North Down Borough Council and Arts Council of Northern Ireland