Banbridge is buzzing with excitement as the highly anticipated BuskFest returns to the town on Saturday 22nd June. Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, this musical extravaganza showcases the incredible local talent in a competitive busking festival, with a whopping £3,000 prize up for grabs.

Every year, BuskFest draws in crowds of visitors to Banbridge, creating a vibrant and festive atmosphere as bands and solo artists line the streets. The competition kicks off from 2pm to 5pm, offering a fantastic family day out filled with live music and the chance to meet artists of all ages and genres. After the busking performances, a prize-giving ceremony takes place on the stage located at the top of the town. The overall winner will have an incredible opportunity to perform on stage. And guess what? There’s even more excitement in store! After their performance, an exciting headline act will take the stage and close the evening with a bang!

Applications now open

If you’re itching to join in on the fun, applications are now open at buskfest.com On the big day, all you have to do is head over to Banbridge Old Town Hall between 10:30am and 12:30pm. That’s where they’ll hook you up with your busking location.

With a generous £1,000 prize for the overall winner and an additional £2,000 split between the Best Band, Individual, and Junior categories, there’s plenty of motivation to showcase your talent. Special awards, such as the Best Performance sponsored by Banbridge Chamber of Commerce and the Spirit of BuskFest sponsored by The Boulevard, add even more excitement to the mix.

The categories are as follows:-

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

Deputy Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge, and Craigavon, Councillor Sorchá McGeown, couldn’t contain her enthusiasm for the event and encouraged aspiring performers to take part. She said,

“BuskFest is a fantastic opportunity for local talent to showcase their skills and entertain the public in a vibrant and fun filled event. Banbridge has a rich musical history making it the perfect place to host such an event. I also, encourage members of the public to come along, listen to the music and enjoy the wide variety of shops and cafes Banbridge town has to offer. Thanks to the public realm scheme Banbridge has received major investment which has helped to improve the streetscape of the town, encouraging more footfall and supporting local businesses.” 

Get ready for a day filled with incredible music and a lively atmosphere at BuskFest in Banbridge. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to support local talent and have a blast!

Competition winners in 2023:

• Overall winner Eva Kearney
• Best Individual Rosie McWilliams
• Best Band The Dukes
• Best Junior The Mullholland Sisters
• Best Performance Rock Soul Down
• Spirit of Buskfest Benedict Grapes