Newcastle Gears Up for Live Music and a World of Cuisine at Eats and Beats

Newcastle has all the ingredients you need for a fantastic weekend at the Eats and Beats free food and music festival on Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 September. 

With two music stages, local and Northern Irish food producers, and an abundance of food vendors, it will be jam-packed with live music and a world of cuisine.

Festival goers can enjoy delicious fare and drinks at the Producers Pavilion (sponsored by Lexus Belfast) with over 20 local and Northern Irish artisan food producers to sample from and buy.

Music lovers can then dance their way around two music stages, which will offer free live performances on the Homegrown and World Stages over the two days.

There will be a wonderful line-up of cookery demonstrations dishing up a delicious serving of tasty treats over the festival weekend. Visitors can enjoy a delightful local menu selection from the likes of award-winning chef Paul Cunningham of Scopers and Mourne Larder fame.

Killeavy Castle Estate, Mourne Food Adventures and Castlescreen Farm will also be on hand to inspire us with their culinary creations. For those who enjoy a tipple or two the Cocktail Demo from Avoca Hotel will be right up your street. Or whet your appetite with some local craft beers, gin, and whiskey from the likes of Whitewater Brewery, Killowen Distillery and Two Stacks Irish Whiskey. And the Food Village has over 30 food vendors offering local and world cuisine, all supported by a sustainability teepee.

Visitors will be entertained by an incredible array of performances offering an eclectic mix of styles and genres that is sure to create a big festival vibe across the seaside town. Live music at the Homegrown stage in Donard Park starts each day from 11am — be sure to check the various artists set times at: https://www.visitmournemountains.co.uk/whats-on/giant-adventures/eats-and-beats-festival-newcastle

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Valerie Harte said, “Newry, Mourne and Down is becoming well known for its quality food and drink and it has long had a strong track record for producing talented and successful musicians. The Eats and Beats festival will be an excellent opportunity to sample our award-winning food, great drinks, chart-topping music, but above all else, a fantastic time with friends and family.”

Councillor Harte continued, “We are especially proud this year that the landscape underpinning our Giant Adventures is part of the recently designated Mourne Gullion Strangford UNESCO Geopark. All roads lead to Newcastle on Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 September as the Eats and Beats festival finishes off the Council’s summer events programme on a high.”

Jonathon Lavery, Sales Manager at Lexus Belfast, said, “Lexus Belfast is delighted to be sponsoring the Producers Pavilion at the 2023 Eats and Beats Festival. As a brand, we are committed to reducing our carbon footprint and striving towards a sustainable future. Our aim is to help design the future by delivering Lexus Electrified vehicles and we are glad to be partnering up with the Eats and Beats Festival, who have sustainability and supporting local businesses at the forefront of the event.”

On the Homegrown stage in Donard Park its two day line-up will be hosted by QRadio presenter, comedian and DJ Ryan Hand.  The festival weekend will see incredible music from the likes of The Answer, Ryan McMullan, Lemonade Shoelace, Ria Maguire, and Belfast’s very own Brian Kennedy who is sure to add to the festival atmosphere.

Anyone looking for something different will find it at the World Stage in Donard Park, hosted by Ripton Lindsay. Here you can lose yourself in the vibes of Basork - Balkan Alien Sound and the unmissable sounds of the Streetwise Circus Samba Band. The Reverend Doc & The Flying Squad and Mirenda Rosenberg will also take to the World Stage over the two-day event.

For visitors travelling to Newcastle, a Park and Ride will operate from the Northfield site on the A50 Castlewellan Road on both days.  Public toilets and Accessoloo will be located across the site.

Stay tuned to the Visit Mourne Social Media pages where the full festival line-up, carparking and other important festival information will be available throughout the weekend. Further information on where to stay, eat, and things to do during your stay can be found at visitmournemountains.co.uk.