Eats & Beats Serves up a Feast of Food and Live Music in Newcastle this September

Food lovers are in for a treat when Eats & Beats returns to Newcastle, Co Down on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 September, with a packed programme of local food, artisan producers and live cookery demonstrations joining an exciting weekend of live music and family entertainment.

Taking place in Donard Park, against the spectacular backdrop of the Mourne Mountains, this year’s festival will bring together more than 24 food vendors and 18 regional food producers, giving visitors the opportunity to discover the flavours, produce and culinary talent that make the region’s food and drink offering so special.

At the heart of the food programme will be the festival’s popular cookery demonstrations, hosted by renowned chef, Paul Cunningham and featuring some of Northern Ireland’s best-known culinary personalities.

On Saturday, Jenny Bristow will take to the stage for two live demonstrations, followed by Adam Morrison, Ryan Harrison and Bradley Webster, each sharing their own recipes, techniques and culinary inspiration. Sunday will see Suzie Lee open the programme with two demonstrations, followed by host Paul Cunningham, before Paula McIntyre rounds off the weekend with two live sessions. From seasonal recipes and creative cooking techniques to practical tips and ideas, the demonstrations will put quality produce centre stage while offering festivalgoers plenty of inspiration to take home.

Beyond the Cookery Demonstrations, visitors will be able to explore a diverse selection of food vendors and artisan producers throughout the festival, sample a variety of flavours and meet some of the people behind the region’s thriving food and drink scene.

Complementing the food programme will be more than 24 live music acts across two stages, bringing together chart-topping favourites, legends of rock and punk, established performers, emerging homegrown artists and an eclectic mix of international sounds.

On Saturday, festivalgoers can look forward to 90s dance-pop favourites D:Ream, whose instantly recognisable hits include the UK number one Things Can Only Get Better, alongside U R the Best Thing, Take Me Away and Shoot Me with Your Love.

A special performance from Eric Bell & When Ireland Rocked will celebrate the evolution of rock through musicians who helped create and shape that history. Thin Lizzy founding member and original guitarist, Eric Bell will be joined by legendary Mama’s Boys guitarist, Pat McManus and Cormac Neeson of The Answer, bringing different generations of the Irish rock story together on one stage.

Across the weekend, Eats & Beats will also showcase an exciting mix of established and emerging talent from across Ireland. Award-winning country music star Lisa McHugh brings her hugely popular blend of country and pop to Newcastle on Sunday. Joining the programme is Magherafelt singer-songwriter JC Stewart, known for his emotive songwriting and anthemic pop sound, who has built an international following and co-written, Hollywood, with Lewis Capaldi.

Donegal guitarist and singer Muireann Bradley will bring her distinctive blend of acoustic blues, ragtime and roots music to the festival. The acclaimed young musician gained widespread attention following her standout appearance on BBC Two’s, Jools’ Annual Hootenanny, with her remarkable fingerpicking style earning recognition well beyond Ireland.

The festival will also continue to champion emerging homegrown talent, including Taylor Lally, whose self-titled debut album was nominated for Album of the Year at the 2025 Northern Ireland Music Prize.

Sunday’s Homegrown Stage will feature another important chapter in Northern Ireland’s musical history with The Outcasts. Formed in Belfast in 1977 and closely associated with Terri Hooley’s legendary Good Vibrations label, the band remains one of the defining names of Northern Ireland’s original punk movement. They will be joined by Tribal Ting, the genre-blending project of Kenyan-Irish producer, instrumentalist and singerm James Gitari, bringing together jazz, Afro beats, house, soul and funk.

The World Stage will add even more variety, with sounds and influences spanning Africa, Latin America, Cuba, ska, reggae, electronic music and gypsy jazz. Belfast ska and reggae favourites, The Skallions return following previous appearances at Eats & Beats, while 11-piece Belfast-based, Magwere will bring an energetic fusion of African sounds to the festival. Balcony Sunrise will add a contemporary electronic edge with a blend of nostalgic synths, cinematic soundscapes, live guitar and euphoric club rhythms.

Following their memorable appearance at last year’s festival, Baile An Salsa will return to Newcastle with their distinctive combination of traditional Irish music, salsa and Afro-Latin rhythms. Sunday will also feature nine-piece Dublin-based, Havana Roots, combining traditional Cuban sounds with reggae and ska, alongside Belfast gypsy jazz quartet, Manouche.

With everything from local flavours and live cooking to Irish rock, country, punk, pop and music from around the world, Eats & Beats will offer visitors a diverse programme of experiences across the two-day festival.

Families will also be well catered for, with the Kids Zone and Curious Minds Experience adding interactive activities and entertainment throughout the weekend.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Glyn Hanna said, “Eats & Beats is a fantastic celebration of the food, music and creativity that our district has to offer, and this year’s programme brings together an exciting mix of local producers, talented chefs and performers from across a wide range of genres.

“Food remains at the heart of the festival, with our cookery demonstrations, food vendors and regional producers giving visitors the opportunity to experience the quality and diversity of our local food and drink offering.

“The music programme is equally exciting, spanning generations and styles, from rock and punk to country, chart favourites, emerging talent and international sounds.

“With all of this taking place in the spectacular surroundings of Newcastle and the Mourne Mountains, Eats & Beats is a great reason to visit the area, enjoy the festival and stay a little longer to discover more of Mourne Gullion Strangford.”

Eats & Beats takes place at Donard Park, Newcastle, Co Down on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 September 2026. This year’s festival is a ticketed event, with daily admission priced at £5, children under five admitted free and family ticket options available.

Tickets and further information are available at www.visitmournegullionstrangford.com.