Taste Autumn in Ards and North Down Delivers a Stunning Line-up of Foodie Events Culminating in Taste AND at Bangor Castle

Food lovers and families alike are set for a feast this September as Taste Autumn in Ards and North Down returns from 5 to 28 September 2025, offering a rich programme of seasonal culinary experiences across the Borough.

A Month of Great Flavours

Discover delicious flavours and go on new adventures with Taste Autumn in Ards and North Down. From a magical Sunset Paddle and BBQ, where you can kayak or paddleboard across stunning waters before tucking into a sizzling island feast, to exclusive tours of our celebrated Echlinville and Copeland Distilleries, where you'll sip award-winning gins, rums and whiskeys with a side of local heritage, every experience is designed to delight. Add in a cosy C.S. Lewis Afternoon Tea & Movie at the historic Old Inn Crawfordsburn or take to the road on a guided E-Bike Foodie Tour complete with artisan picnic and you've got the recipe for an unforgettable September.

Programme Highlights:

• Demo and Dine with Celebrity Chef Anna Haugh (Friday 5 September): A ticketed, intimate dining experience at Portavogie Harbour featuring local produce and live cooking demos.
• Tide and Turf - Portavogie (Saturday 6 September): A free, family-friendly celebration of land-and-sea flavours, including chef demos featuring celebrity chef Anna Haugh and a host of local chefs and foodie experts, artisan stalls, live music, and family-friendly entertainment such as sand crafts and walk-about characters.
• Chilli Festival at Bangor Castle Walled Garden (Sat 13 & Sun 14 September): A fiery weekend of garden exploration, artisan stalls including hot food, cookery demos, and family fun.
• Taste AND at Bangor Castle (Sat 27 & Sun 28 September): The programme ends on a high with this 2-day artisan food and drink market on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 September, 11 am - 5 pm. Enjoy an open-air, family-friendly event showcasing the best of local artisan food and drink which will take place in the elegant grounds of Bangor Castle.  With over 30 stalls, hot food, "Meet the Maker" sessions, live cookery demos, live background music and children's entertainment, it is set to be a great foodie weekend.

Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Gillian McCollum, said:

"Ards and North Down Borough Council is proud to champion our outstanding local food and drink through the Taste Autumn programme. By working with the Taste AND Food and Drink Network as well as fantastic hospitality and tourism providers, we shine a spotlight on the talent, creativity and quality of our artisan producers while strengthening the Borough's reputation as a must-visit food destination. With a fantastic line-up of events, Taste Autumn invites locals and visitors alike to get out, explore and enjoy the passion of our local producers and hospitality sector while discovering fresh flavours right across the Borough."

Plan Your Visit

Where possible, visitors are encouraged to use public transport to the various locations, for information go to www.translink.co.uk/.

Tide and Turf - Pre-bookable event shuttle buses will run from Bangor, Newtownards, and Portaferry directly to the festival site. 

For the full programme, shuttle bus bookings, and ticketed event information, visit www.ardsandnorthdown.com/tasteautumn.

Taste Autumn in Ards and North Down

Taste Autumn is brought to you by Ards and North Down Borough Council. Tide and Turf and Taste AND at Bangor Castle are also supported by DAERA's Northern Ireland Regional Food Programme. Whether you're a foodie, a spirit lover, or an adventurer at heart, Taste Autumn serves up something truly special.