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Buskfest Guitar playing at BuskFest

BuskFest

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Welcome to BuskFest

BuskFest is an international busking festival which takes place in Banbridge, County Down, Northern Ireland. The event comprises an outdoor daytime busking competition followed by a prize giving ceremony and evening concert in Banbridge town centre. 

Busking Competition

Each year, the streets of Banbridge town centre are filled to capacity as hundreds of musicians, singers, bands, solo artists and street performers from across the globe compete live before large family crowds. Performers entertain audiences throughout the afternoon in the hope of winning a share of the cash prize pot.

This competition sits at the heart of BuskFest and offers performers the opportunity to showcase their talent on one of Northern Ireland’s most exciting street performance stages.

Mission Statement

BuskFest showcases the wealth and diversity of musical talent and performing skills thriving from the local area and further afield.

We aim to make BuskFest the leading busking festival in Ireland through our professional approach to the organisation of the event and by proactively seeking innovative ways of developing the event.

We work in partnership with all sectors of our local community to ensure that the BuskFest event remains fully inclusive to all.

The event is organised by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council.

Busking Competition

Be part of BuskFest!

The date for Buskfest 2027 is to be confirmed.

The categories are as follows:

  • Overall winner
  • Best Individual – Adult
  • Best Youth
  • Best Junior
  • Best Band
  • Best Performance
  • Spirit of Buskfest

See BuskFest on social media for BuskFest updates.

Prize Information (information is from 2026 competition)

Prize Pot – £4500
£1,500 Overall Winner open to all ages
The overall winner will perform at the Eats and Beats Festival, Newcastle which takes place on 5-6 September 2026
£500 Best Band open to all ages
The AmmA Centre Armagh will offer a recording session in its professional recording studio.
£500 Best Individual 18+ only
The winner of this category will perform at Stendhal Festival, Limavady which takes place on 2-4 July 2026
£500 Best Youth – Sponsored by The Game of Thrones Studio Tour 13-17 years
Oh Yeah Music Centre Belfast will offer a slot at a Volume Control Gig along with a music mentoring session.
£500 Best Junior 12 years and under
  The winner of this category will perform at the Sundown Market, Solitude Park, Banbridge on 5 September 2026  
£500 Best Performance – Sponsored by Banbridge Chamber of Commerce open to all ages
£500 Spirit of BuskFest – Sponsored by The Boulevard open to all ages

BUSKFEST is made possible every year by the incredible organisations and people who fund, support and partner with us. Their dedication to the arts enables both us and our performers to do what we love. If you can, please show your support in return.

Armagh-Banbridge-Craigavon-Council-Logo
Banbridge Chamber Logo
Game of Thrones Logo
The Boulevard Logo
Eats and beats logo

Rules

Individual Competition

Entrants must be aged 18 +

Youth Competition

Entrants must be aged between 13 and 17

Junior Competition

Entrants must be 12 years and under

COMPETITION ENTRY

  1. Buskfest will take place on Saturday 20 June 2026.
  2. Any performer arriving later than 12.00pm will not be judged as part of the competition but may be allocated a pitch to perform, if available.
  3. Juniors and Youths must be accompanied by an adult at the time of registration and throughout the event.
  4. Competitors may enter the Junior category only if the oldest performer in their group is 12 years of age or younger whilst the Youth category is open to groups whose members are between 13 and 17 years old.
  5. No act can be entered in both the Junior, Youth and Individual categories.
  6. No act can enter either category more than once; e.g. a competitor may not enter the competition as an Individual and then also enter as part of a Band.

 

BUSKING

  1. You are required to busk from 2pm-5pm at your pitch
  2. Any act that the judges deem to be dangerous, offensive or otherwise inappropriate will be asked to stop and will be withdrawn from the competition.
  3. No mains powered amplification is allowed. The judges may ask buskers using battery-powered amplification to turn down their volume.
  4. No pre-recorded backing tracks are permitted.

11.Please consider using reusable containers – no glass is permitted at your busking pitch.  There are two Water Refill Stations in the town centre.

 

JUDGING

  1. You may not be aware that you are being judged as this will be done anonymously at different times throughout the afternoon.
  2. The judge’s decision is final. No discussion will be entered into.

 

PRIZE GIVING

  1. All competitors must be at the Prize Giving Ceremony in the town centre at 5.30 pm to take part in the prize giving event.
  2. The Winners may be invited to perform on stage so please ensure that you have your instrument(s) with you.
  3. All Junior and Youth performers must be accompanied by an adult to allow the prize winning cheque to be issued.

2026 Winners

Overall Winner 2026 – Sam Brothers

Best Individual – Lisa Dawson

Best Band – Mulholland Sisters

Best Junior – Yvanna Wong

Best Youth – Emily Mayger

Sponsored by The Game of Thrones Studio Tour

Best Performance – Frequency

Sponsored by Banbridge Chamber of Commerce

Spirit of Buskfest – Parcel of Rogues

Sponsored by The Boulevard

Best Dressed Window Display

1st Prize – Drop Inn

2nd Prize – Amavi & Fairburn Opticians

Getting Here

It couldn’t be easier to get to Banbridge, conveniently located just off the main A1 Belfast / Dublin route, 12 miles from Newry and 22 miles from Belfast. The town centre is easily accessible by car and public transport from Northern Ireland and the South of Ireland.

Transport
Public transport is available to and from Banbridge from across N.I and ROI. To help plan your route see Translink website. The bus station is located on Kenlis Street which is a short walk to the town centre and Buskfest.

 

Banbridge town centre map

For information on parking, toilets and street locations please refer to the Banbridge map which is available here 

Contact Us

If you wish to contact the BuskFest team please email buskfest@armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk and a member of the team will get back to you.

Armagh-Banbridge-Craigavon-Council-Logo