Ards International Guitar Festival 2026 - Dates, Tickets & Lineup

Key Info

About

A five-day guitar festival held across multiple venues in Newtownards, organised by Ards and North Down Borough Council, covering blues, folk, rock, classical, bluegrass and contemporary styles. It draws local and international guitarists, and sits a…

Website

ardsguitarfestival.co.uk

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Genres

AmericanaBluesClassicalFolkRock

Date

15 - 19 April, 2026

Location

Newtownards, Northern Ireland

Size

Tiny · <1k

Established

1996, Running 30 years

Vibe

Intimate venue gigs in a small town where you can catch world-class guitarists in rooms that hold a few hundred people, then wander to a free fringe set in a bar or church down the road.

LineupUpdated: 2 Apr 2026

Full lineup

Pierre Bensusan

Ricky Warwick & The Fighting Hearts

Martin Taylor

as Standards

Ken Haddock

as John Martyn – A Celebration from Ken Haddock and Band

Andy McKee

Matthew McAllister

David Browne Murray

The Frank Carbery Blues Band

Matt McGinn

Eilidh Patterson

Anthony Toner

Andrew Toman

Colm McCleanJohn McCulloughConnor McCreanorAdrian McIlduffGeorge LowdenAaron LowdenClassical Guitar Society of Northern IrelandBilen-Farren Guitar DuoDean GlynnAlexander KrylovGilah GreigJoe Kenny

TicketsUpdated: 4 Apr 2026

Prices and availability are indicative. Always confirm on the official ticket page.

Buy Tickets

No ticket details available yet. Check the official page for updates.

Recent NewsUpdated: 11 Apr 2026

30 Years For Ards International Guitar Festival

The much‑loved Ards International Guitar Festival returns to Newtownards next week, running from 15–19 April, marking an extraordinary 30.

downnews.co.uk·6 days ago

Ards International Guitar Festival Celebrates 30 Years as It Begins ...

The much‑loved Ards International Guitar Festival returns to Newtownards next week, running from 15–19 April, marking an extraordinary 30 ...

visitbelfastpartners.com·6 days ago

‘We punch way above our weight’: Ards International Guitar Festival is still str

The Ards International Guitar Festival is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year with a jam-packed line-up.

belfasttelegraph.co.uk·1 week ago

Ards International Guitar Festival Strikes a Chord for Its 30th ...

Organised by Ards and North Down Borough Council, the 2026 programme brings together exceptional players from across the UK, Ireland and beyond, honouring the ...

ardsguitarfestival.co.uk·1 week ago

guitar festival

Ards International Guitar Festival in Northern Ireland Celebrates 30 Years of Musical Excellence and Global Talent.

travelandtourworld.com·1 week ago

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