Hillsborough Castle Summer Fair

Celebrate the bank holiday weekend at the Hillsborough Castle Summer Fair. Set in the stunning grounds of Northern Ireland's Royal Residence, this three-day event - formerly known as the popular Honey Fair – promises plenty of fun, music, and artisanal delights.

Enjoy live music and local produce

Explore a variety of stalls with the finest local produce and crafts as our artisan producers bring you the best in gourmet foods and unique handmade items. Soak up the atmosphere and relax with live music against the picturesque backdrop of the castle.

Family fun guaranteed

The fair is packed with activities for all ages. Try your hand at your favourite lawn games, get stuck into a special kids' potting activity, then settle down to live storytelling. There’s something to keep everyone entertained.

Your ticket will also include access to our special Peter Rabbit™ Adventure trail, taking place throughout the summer. Don't miss your chance to get a photo with Peter Rabbit, the Summer Fair's VIP guest!

When

24 - 26 August 2024

In line with gardens opening hours

Ticket Information

Members go free.

Summer Fair and Gardens only tickets: Adult £15.00 | Child £7.50

Summer Fair Combined Castle and Gardens tickets: Adult £22.50 | Child £11.25

Event and admission combined ticket (members go free)

Buy Summer Fair tickets

Close up of a family (mother with two small children) laughing and enjoying the coloured pencils and stickers provided at an activities stall at the Hillsborough Honey Fair 2022

Summer Fair Schedule

Download our 2024 Summer Fair Schedule and Map.

Summer Fair PDF

Expert Gardening Advice

Join drop-in clinics run by the Castle's gardeners, ready to help newbies and experienced gardeners alike. They will also hold a series of fascinating talks for free in the Clore on themes such as sustainable flower arranging. You can also get useful tips from local beekeepers about how to make your garden more bee friendly - or even how to keep bees yourself!

Inspired? Head to the Walled Garden to treat yourself to new plants, bulbs and peat-free compost from local nurseries and charities.

Staff gardener in the Walled Garden at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens.

Explore our food and drink brands

With over 25 different food and drink vendors, there’s something to satisfy everyone. From condiments to ciders and butter to brownies, discover some of our most popular stalls.

Nibble on street food from Glaze & Roll, Get Stuffed, The Chef’s Mill or fresh local seafood from Linen Hill Street Kitchen.

Be the talk of the dinner table with unique, artisan condiments and spices from Irish Black Butter, Shorthorn Kitchen, Partie de Moi, Burren Balsamics Ltd, Erin Grove Preserves and more. Take home small batch charcuterie from The Curly Pigs or pate and hummus from Lecale Harvest.

Try out new tipples from Long Meadow Cider, Symphonia Spirits and Copeland Distillery. There will be plenty of non-alcoholic options too, including Jackson Roze’s non-alcoholic ginger wine and locally roasted artisan coffee and tea from The Fancy Fox Coffee Company.

Treat that sweet tooth to The Fluffy Meringue, Ollie’s Patisserie, Granny Shaw’s confectionary, Lick Gelato Ltd and fresh crepes from Ben’s Studio.

Hillsborough Honey Fair, showing a side view of a young woman customer buying snacks from a woman vendor serving at a pop up food stall.

Plan your music highlights

Discover your new favourite band as they play live throughout the day.

Saturday 24 August

10:45 Martello Jazz Band

13:15 Unholy Gospel Band

15:45 Boom Strutt Brass

Sunday 25 August

10:45 Moonshines

13:15 Manouche Jazz

15:45 Funk ‘N’ Disorderly

Monday 26 August

10:45 Martello Jazz Band

13:15 Moonshines

15:45 Funk ‘N’ Disorderly

Three young women singers performing on stage. They are wearing black 1950s style dresses with a red rose pattern and have 1950s hairstyles. Part of the Vintage Jubilee Garden Party, June 2022.

Upgrade and explore the palace

Upgrade to a Castle ticket and discover inside this iconic residence – including the historic Throne Room. You'll also get to explore Life Through A Royal Lens. Featuring photos from Annie Leibovitz, Rankin and Cecil Beaton, this fascinating exhibition investigates the Royal Family’s enduring relationship with the camera.

The South Terrace, showing two visitors (male and female) looking at the summer flowers and smiling.

Members go free

Become a member today and visit Hillsborough time and again for free. Enjoy a whole year of unmissable events for all the family. Be spooked at Halloween, celebrate Christmas, go on a special Easter hunt, or simply wander through the ever-changing gardens.

Please note that the Kids Go Free offer is excluded for the Summer Fair. However, this is included on other select dates during the summer (please see Tickets and Prices for more information).