At Positive Carrickfergus, we believe that a strong, active community where there is room for everyone is essential for our town to thrive. Delivered in partnership with Deja Vu Promotions, the Around The Town Festival was created with a simple belief: no local artist, musician, or performer should have to leave town just to be seen, heard, and celebrated.

Its hard to believe we have now completed 3 years of Around the Town – its been a crazy adventure that is far from near its end!

Years 1 and 2 were full of of learning, trying things and working together with so many passionate people, so it made sense to continue this for year 3.

We welcomed a media team – Harry, Sophie, Mark and Connie, all local creatives joined us for the week with their video, content creation and photography skills. It was a real pleasure to work alongside them and watch their passion for the festival grow into something they care about the way we do. 

You can view their work across our website and social media.

For 2026 we introduced some new partnerships – Uplift Performing Arts created a Movie Music Summer project for primary school aged children, Scala Strings joined the recital line up and Chris Taplin Blues band joined the evening town hall line up. 

Meanwhile Artscare developed their supported living program with the addition of Belfast Street Songs & Sea Shanties performed by Crankie Theatre, hosted by Dobbins Inn. 

Ruth Turkington and Gillian Courtney came on board to lead our Volunteer Team – and we want to take time to particularly thank the team and the leaders – the festival wouldn’t run without you all; the energy, commitment and fun you all bring are the heart of what the festival is all about – big thanks to the crew. 

Thanks also to our sponsors – FONAcab Mahoods, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, Carrickfergus Mencap Society and Carrickfergus Literary and Scientific Society; their financial support helps make the festival happen. 

When local people gather in local places to have a great time, incredible things happen. Here is a look at what we achieved together during our latest festival run:

• Local Talent Front and Center: We welcomed 127 musicians to our stages, with 84% (107 artists) living and working right here in our community.
• Keeping Our Pound Local: We put local regeneration first – 77% of our overall budget was spent within County Antrim, with 44% invested directly right here in Carrickfergus to support our local town economy and businesses.
• Music in Every Corner: We filled 11 locations with live performance, hosting events across 7 core town venues and taking music directly to our neighbors in 4 local care homes so everyone could join in.
• 42 Hours of Community Joy: Over 2,022 of us came out to connect, enjoy live music, and celebrate where we live, packing our venues with an average of 184 people per location.
• Packed Houses Across the Board: 83% of the events were completely sold out or at capacity, and every other event reached a 73% sold-out/capacity audience – showing just how hungry our community is for live local culture!
• Breaking Down Barriers to the Arts: We hosted 5 free lunchtime recitals designed to be fully accessible to everyone. We were thrilled to welcome participants from 3 different care facilities every single day, creating a joyful, multi-generational space where vulnerable residents could enjoy live music out in the community.

32 events in 9 days with over 100 performers and over 2000 audience isnt something we planned for but the momentum of local music just keeps growing. 

Around The Town isn’t just a festival; it’s local people celebrating our town together.

Thank you for coming out, supporting local talent, and doing your bit to make Carrickfergus a great place to live!

Post-festival survey: https://forms.gle/gUfoTpb3hBRNjHhw6

 Most of the photos are on the Around the Town facebook page and on Positive Carrickfergus’ Instagram page. 

Lynn, Bill and Ash