By Amy Pollock
OPEN House Festival is returning to Bangor this summer with a bustling calendar of events.
The highly-anticipated music and arts festival will host almost 100 events and is expected to attract 50,000 people to the city.
The Open House summer season will begin on Friday, July 4 with the annual Pickie to Pier swimming race, with plenty to look forward to thereafter.
Ticketed events will take place at staple venues in Bangor Castle Walled Garden and The Court House, covering events in the literature, comedy and music fields.
The popular free live music event, Picnic in the Park, will return to Ward Park every Sunday afternoon throughout July and August, featuring a range of genres for all to enjoy.
At the Walled Garden, Snow Patrol’s Gary Lightbody will take to the stage for a more laid-back and personal hometown appearance over two nights to talk about his bestselling book The Forest is the Path with Irish author and broadcaster, Sinead Gleeson.
In a poignant tribute event, the remaining members of the Van Morrison cover band and long-term festival favourite Celtic Soul will reunite to pay homage to the late frontman Clarke Wilson at two special Walled Garden concerts, where several guest singers will join them onstage.
The festival will see other world-class talents appearing at the Walled Garden, including singers Lisa O’Neill and Mary Coughlan, folk duo Ye Vagabonds, and comedians Paddy Raff, Chris Kent and Neil Delamere.
Performing at The Court House will be internationally acclaimed twin brothers from Wexford, The Ocelots, and there will be a special performance by Northern Ireland Opera, directed by Cameron Menzies. Blue Lights writer and director Declan Lawn will also chat with Bangor novelist Colin Bateman about the success of the BAFTA winning drama.
For literary lovers, the festival’s lineup will see former Labour cabinet member Alan Johnson returning for his fourth visit to talk about his new book, Harold Wilson. Author Chris Whitaker will discuss his international best-selling novel All The Colours of the Dark, and American writer Karen Hao will delve into her new book, Empire of AI.
While there is no Seaside Revival Vintage Festival this year due to restrictions on Bangor seafront, an Open House Festival spokeswoman said plans are underway to bring something else special to the city which is yet to be announced.
The new Mayor of Ards and North Down, Gillian McCollum, said the council is ‘delighted’ to support the Open House Festival in its 12th year.
“With at least 80 events in August, plus nine Sunday afternoon Picnic in the Parks, this year’s festival will offer another packed programme of live events held in iconic Bangor venues such as the award-winning Court House and our beautiful Bangor Castle Walled Garden,” she said.
Mayor McCollum said she predicts the festival will ‘encourage increased footfall to Bangor’ that will ‘undoubtedly give our local economy a major boost’.
“There will be something for everyone to enjoy, and I very much look forward to attending as many events as possible. I wish all those participating a very successful festival.”
Speaking about the programme launch, Open House director, Kieran Gilmore said: “We hope that this year’s programme whets the appetite of our local audiences, as well as the many visitors who come from all over Ireland and beyond.
“For the full festival programme that includes lots more live music, comedy, poetry, art, markets, food and drink events, just go to the website. And don’t forget to join the festival mailing list for further updates as there are still some exciting announcements to come.”
Tickets go on sale at 10am on Friday, June 6. To purchase tickets and view the full programme visit: www.openhousefestival.com
