Around the Town Festival: over 2000 people attend Carrickfergus events

Delivered by Positive Carrickfergus in partnership with Deja Vu Promotions, the event returned to the town for the third summer in a row, running from July 31 until August 8, 2026.

“Around The Town Festival was created with a simple belief: no local artist, musician, or performer should have to leave town just to be seen, heard, and celebrated,” organisers said.

The festival welcomed a total of 127 musicians to its stages, and put local regeneration first with 77 percent of the overall budget spent within County Antrim.

Meanwhile, 44 percent was invested directly in Carrickfergus to support the local economy and businesses.

Around The Town filled 11 locations with live performance, hosting events across seven core town venues and taking music directly to residents in four local care homes so that everyone could join in.

It provided 42 hours of community joy, with over 2,000 people coming out to connect, enjoy live music, and celebrate, packing venues with an average of 184 people per location.

Some 83 percent of the events were completely sold out or at capacity, and every other event reached a 73 percent sold-out/capacity audience - showing just how hungry the community is for live local culture.

Around The Town also hosted five free lunchtime recitals, designed to be fully accessible to everyone.

Sponsors who supported the events were Mid and East Antrim Borough Council; Carrickfergus Literary and Scientific Society; FONAcab Mahoods; Carrickfergus Mencap Society; MEA Events Team, and Carrick & Greenisland Cluster.

"Around The Town isn't just a festival; it's local people celebrating our town together. Thank you for coming out, supporting local talent, and doing your bit to make Carrickfergus a great place to live,” organisers added.