Bushmills Salmon and Whiskey Festival 2023 - a welcome return to this much loved food and drink celebration!

The annual Bushmills Salmon and Whiskey Festival is a Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council event celebrating the incredible food and drinks in and around the charming village of Bushmills. Foodies will be able to indulge locally produced food and drink, with a focus on salmon and whiskey.

Friday 6th October 2023

A unique Coast & Country tour will be available throughout the day, exploring the bespoke offering Bushmills has to offer. This will be guided by the wonderful Wendy Gallagher of Causeway Coast Foodie Tours (pre-booking required via causewaycoastfoodietours.com).

Dine around Bushmills is one of the events planned to kick start the festival weekend on Friday 6th, October 2023. Tickets are limited and will be announced soon. Subscribers will be given a pre-release opportunity to purchase, so subscribe to this page now.

The festival offers up the opportunity for locals and visitors to enjoy a weekend filled with opportunities to taste what local cafes, restaurants, and bars dish up. There will be themed menus along the Bushmills Taste Trail, showcasing the best of local produce and warm hospitality while housing some great local musicians.

Saturday, 7th October 2023

Plan to visit the Old Bushmills Distillery for a tasting to help 'get into the spirit' and bring home a gift for someone special from the Distillery Gift Shop. Follow the River Bush back into the heart of the village. pop into the Visitor information Centre which is offering tasters of the local produce they sell and promote. 

Plan time for refreshment breaks at the local cafes, restaurants and bars along the Bushmills Taste Trail. Be sure to stock up on the wide range of produce available to buy from our family-run butchers, cheesemonger and artisan deli, bakeries and the most famous traditional fruit and veg store in the country before you call it a day. If you are fortunate enough to live in the village or nearby or plan to stay in the area, the festival feel continues into the evening with venues offering great food, drink and entertainment throughout the evening. Why not make a weekend of it? For suggestions on where to stay, check out our where-to-stay guide for a couple of suggestions.

Sunday 8th October 2023

In addition to local businesses offering delicious dishes, cocktails and sweet treats throughout the village, other highlights include the arrival of the Naturally North Coast and Glens Artisan Market with a range of street food vendors and popular market traders to browse and buy. Enjoy cookery demonstrations with celebrity chefs Paula McIntyre, Gary Stewart and various talented local chefs, demonstrating their culinary skills and showcasing the impressive local produce available in the area.  

Main Street car park will host an afternoon of live cookery demonstrations and the ‘Whiskey Hub’, a brand-new experience for the Whiskey enthusiast. A select range of local distilleries will host a taste and information session across Sunday afternoon, allowing visitors to taste and experience the fine whiskeys on offer in Northern Ireland.

There will also be a quiet time session for children with additional needs. Keeping with the festival weekend vibe, there will be plenty of live music to enjoy as we wind down for another year (the exact programme to be confirmed by the Events Team at Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council). 

For more information on what to expect when visiting Bushmills village, enjoy our Experience Bushmills videos! We are not just about 'eatin and drinkin' in Bushmills as we boast a range of exclusive fashion boutiques, fine art, crafts, gifts, books and antique stores. You will be amazed at the range and quality of what this picturesque village offers. And don't forget to subscribe below for a chance to grab a Dine around Bushmills ticket!