Lurgan Show (Music Stages) – Lurgan, Northern Ireland 2026
Overview
The Lurgan Show, one of Ireland’s longest-established one-day agricultural and recreational events dating back to at least the mid-1840s and formally organized since 1912, is a vibrant celebration of rural life, equestrian excellence, and family fun held in the picturesque Lurgan Park, County Armagh, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom. Organized entirely by volunteers from the Lurgan & District Horse & Cattle Show Society Ltd., the 2026 edition continues its 114-year tradition of showcasing livestock, crafts, and community spirit, drawing over 20,000 attendees to this historic park—the second largest in Ireland, featuring a stunning 59-acre lake. While rooted in agriculture, the show has evolved to include lively music stages that infuse the day with energetic performances, blending traditional Irish folk, contemporary bands, and local talent to complement the equestrian parades and home industries exhibits.
Set against the backdrop of Lurgan Park’s landscaped grounds, the event transforms the avenue-lined entrances into a bustling fairground from dawn till dusk, with music stages serving as hubs for entertainment amid cattle shows, pony classes, and vintage vehicle displays. Supported by sponsors like Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council and Fane Valley, it remains a cornerstone of community pride, promoting education through youth handlers and workshops while honoring its origins—from early aviation spectacles in 1912 to today’s inclusive family day out.
Event Highlights
- Main Activities or Performances: Live music stages featuring a mix of local folk bands, emerging indie acts, and high-energy covers, including traditional Irish sessions, brass ensembles, and contemporary pop-rock sets that energize the crowds between equestrian events and livestock judging.
- Special Traditions or Features: Over a century of agricultural heritage, with music integrated as a nod to the 1912 inaugural band’s parade; includes youth music workshops and family-oriented stages that highlight Northern Irish talent, fostering intergenerational enjoyment.
- Unique Attractions for Visitors: Music interspersed with unique park features like lakeside parades and vintage tractor pulls, plus interactive zones where attendees can join sing-alongs or dance to Celtic rhythms amid the scent of fresh hay and street food stalls.
- Additional Note: All-ages accessibility with free parking and eco-elements like sustainable trade stands, ensuring music stages provide a rhythmic backdrop to the day’s diverse activities, from pygmy goat shows to home industries crafts.
Why Attend
The Lurgan Show with its music stages is a joyful immersion into Northern Ireland’s rural soul, where foot-stomping folk tunes and soulful melodies harmonize with the clip-clop of pony parades, creating an electric yet wholesome atmosphere that’s perfect for families escaping the everyday. Nestled in Lurgan Park’s serene 59-acre lake setting, it offers more than sounds—think picnics by the water, mingling with breeders, and discovering local artisans, making it an ideal day for music lovers craving authentic vibes blended with equestrian wonder.
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Beyond the beats, the festival embodies community resilience, from its WWI hiatus to today’s volunteer-driven revival, supporting charities like Air Ambulance NI while celebrating 114 years of tradition. Post-stage, wander the grounds for pet shows or donkey classes, or explore nearby Craigavon lakes—it’s a full-spectrum delight that leaves you humming tunes and heart full, reaffirming why Lurgan remains a hidden gem for cultural escapes in the heart of Ulster.
Date & Duration
dates to be announced
Venue / Location
- City: Lurgan, County Armagh, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
- Main Venue: Lurgan Park, a 59-acre lakeside expanse ideal for open-air music stages and equestrian rings
- Additional Venues: Overflow music near trade stands and food village; youth performances at the pet show arena
- Notable Areas: Music stages by the lake for scenic acoustics; entrance gates at Avenue Road, Robert Street, and Windsor Avenue; parking zones adjacent
- Google Maps Address: Lurgan Park, Avenue Road, Lurgan, BT66 7BD
- See Official Site: lurganshow.co.uk
Ticket Information
- How Tickets Are Sold: Online via the official website or on-site at gates; no advance booking required, but entry forms for exhibitors available digitally.
- Admission Type: Paid
- Ticket Price Range: $12–$14 USD (adult: $12; senior/under 16/YFC member: $10; under 5: free; catalogue: $2.50)
- Special Seating or VIP Options: General admission with picnic spots; accessible badge holders get priority parking and viewing near stages; no formal VIP, but sponsor lounges for select guests.
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Contact Information
- Email: info@lurganshow.co.uk (general inquiries); lurganshow@hotmail.co.uk (PR and media)
- Phone: +44 7732 172214 (English available, 9 AM–5 PM GMT); +44 28 3888 1974 (alternative PR line)
- Website: lurganshow.co.uk
- Social Media: @LurganShow (X); Facebook: @LurganShow
- Key Staff: Show Secretary: Mrs. Michele Doran; PR Officer: John Harrison (contact via email)
- Press/Volunteers: Press to lurganshow@hotmail.co.uk; volunteer inquiries via website form (opens March 2026)
- Note: Response time ~24–48 hours; English support; newsletter signup for news
Getting There
- By Train: Lurgan station (10-minute walk to park) with services from Belfast (20 minutes) or Portadown (5 minutes) via Translink NI Railways.
- By Bus: Ulsterbus 30X from Belfast (45 minutes) or Armagh (30 minutes) to Lurgan town center stops.
- By Car: M1 motorway exit 10 (from Belfast, 25 minutes); free designated parking at showgrounds and Robert Street carpark (postcode BT66 8BE).
- Parking: Free on-site in marked areas; accessible badge holders at Robert Street and limited Windsor Avenue spots (display badge).
- Local Transport: Taxis via Lurgan Cabs (+44-28-3832-2222); walking from town center (5–10 minutes); cycle paths along the lake.
- Additional Transport: Nearest airport: Belfast International (BFS, 30 minutes drive); festival stewards guide traffic flow.
Accommodation Options
- Festival Campsite: No official; nearby pitches at Oxford Island Caravan Park (15-minute drive, £20–£35/night).
- Campsite Details: Lakeside tents with facilities; opens festival weekend; family-friendly, no power for basics.
- Other Accommodations: Local hotels like Browns Brasserie (£80–£140/night); B&Bs such as Lakeview B&B; self-catering via Airbnb in Lurgan.
- Nearby Options: Craigavon (10 minutes) Premier Inn (£60–£100); glamping at Blue Lough (£70–£120); book early for June.
- Booking Tip: VisitNorthernIreland.com for packages; Euro Travelo assists with transport.
Reviews
- Lively tunes amid pony parades— a perfect blend of music and rural charm that had everyone tapping!
- Family fave: stages kept kids dancing while parents cheered the cattle; wholesome NI magic.
- From folk fiddles to rock riffs, the park pulsed with joy—unbeatable day out by the lake.
Maps
Contact
FAQ's
What are the festival timings?
Lurgan Show runs from 8 AM to 5 PM on June 6, 2026, with public entry at 9 AM and music stages firing up around 10 AM for folk openers, building to peak sets near noon amid equestrian highs. Livestock judging overlaps with tunes until 4 PM, closing with a lakeside finale. Full schedule, including band slots and ring rotations, posts on lurganshow.co.uk in April 2026. Arrive by 8:30 AM for parking; stewards guide flow. Weather may shift outdoor stages, but park pavilions provide cover.
What are the festival’s age restrictions?
Entirely family-oriented and open to all ages, with kids' pet shows and youth music tying into stages for broad appeal. No restrictions apply; under 5s free, youth under 16 at concession rates. Evening-adjacent sets mild and suitable; supervision for animal areas. Contact info@lurganshow.co.uk for group family passes. Website highlights quiet zones near the lake for sensory ease.
Is there festival transport or shuttle buses?
Lurgan Park's central spot simplifies: trains to Lurgan station (10-minute walk), frequent from Belfast. No shuttles, but Ulsterbus from Armagh drops nearby; taxis (+44-28-3832-2222) quick post-event. Drive M1 exit 10 with free parking; cycle from town. Check lurganshow.co.uk for bus partners; June light traffic, but pre-arrange for groups.
Can I bring food or drink on site?
Picnics welcome on park lawns to enjoy with trade stalls' Ulster flavors like soda bread and veggie options—non-alcoholic drinks OK (no glass). Vendors offer full menus by May 2026, including halal/gluten-free. Bars 18+ (ID checked); reusables at water stations. Support locals but BYO fine for families; bins for zero-waste.
I have accessibility requirements.
Park mostly flat with ramps to stages and accessible toilets; badge holders get priority Robert Street parking—display at gate. Assistance dogs welcome; viewing near music from raised areas. Staff aid mobility; guide on lurganshow.co.uk details paths. Email info@lurganshow.co.uk by May 2026 for reserved spots or carer concessions (free). Early contact ensures lake-edge access cleared.
