This year’s Red Sails Festival has a packed programme of music, dancing, craft and kids events.
Now in its 23rd year, the festival is supported by Radius Housing, and will see family events taking places across Portstewart over the last week of July.
The Red Sails cross community festival in Portstewart has been running annually since 1968.
Initially known as Portstewart Carnival run by St Mary’s Star of the Sea Church, in 2000 it changed its name to the Red Sails Festival run by Portstewart Community Association. The festival’s roots are in Good Relations as a cross community festival with origins in bringing together kids from right across the town.
The week long festival kicks off on 23rd July, and involves a huge amount of work and commitment from PCA and brings on board at least 40 volunteers from the community. Each year more and more people are attending the festival from right across the Causeway area, and more and more communities groups and businesses are also getting involved in the events.
This year sees Radius Housing join as the main sponsor for 2023 and 2024, and this support has allowed Portstewart Community Association to provide a wide range of cross community and multicultural events and performances to entertain. This includes African music from the Wilson Magwere Band, Thai, Chinese, Ulster Scots / Irish traditional events. There will also be a wide range of family friendly activities including a Viking workshop, puppet show, bubble bike, street theatre and face-painting.
The full programme of events can be seen BELOW or on the Red Sails Facebook page.
Bridie Doherty, Area Housing Manager, Radius Housing told us:
“It feels very special for Radius to be able play a part in bringingsuch a widespread celebration of culture across the causeway area for the next two years. It is also great to see how the Red Sails Festival bring the community together in such a positive way, which is seen through the growth of the event and the numbers participating through volunteering. We are delighted to support Portstewart Community Association in this important community project.”
Shelia Jackson, chair of Portstewart Community Association said:
“We are delighted to have Radius Housing as our main sponsor this year. We have a tremendous programme for the festival which runs from Sunday 23 July to Saturday 29 July.
"We welcome the return of favourite events including Willie Drennan, children’s entertainers Carnival Promotions and Mr. Hullabaloo, as well as some new acts such as the Rhythm Rascals and the Causeway Harp Ensemble”.
Sean Graham, Project Manager added:
“There are events for all ages. The Viking Workshop, featuring a Viking long ship will appeal to many, as will the footballing skills of Sam Madden. Wilson Magwere's Band will add a different dimension to the music menu at the Crescent and the Flying Dragons will amaze everybody with their acrobat dance routines. Old favourites such as Innova Dancers and the Alastair Scott Ceilidh Band will start the party on the last night of the festival which ends with the traditional fireworks display”.
Programme of Events
SUNDAY 23 JULY
• Interdenominational Service
2pm at The Crescent
A cross community service.
• Live Music: The Portstewart Ukulele Group
3.20pm (40 mins) at The Crescent
Performance by up to 15 local Ukulele enthusiasts.
• Aerial Hoop Exercise Display Feat. Stephanie Wilson
4.10pm at The Crescent
"Aerial hoop is a great full body workout! Building strength in your arms, shoulders, upper body, and especially your core! It also benefits your balance, flexibility and coordination."
There will be the opportunity for members of the audience to try a beginner’s position on the hoop after the display.
If this type of workout appeals to you, Steph runs classes at Coleraine Atlas gym. Book or find out more @fitnesswithsteph on both Facebook and Instagram.
• Face Painting
4pm - 6pm at The Crescent
Provided by Face Painting By The Sea
• Kids Disco & Games
4.45pm - 6.15pm at The Crescent
• Pirate Bubble Bike
7.30pm - 9pm roaming The Crescent and Promenade
• Live Music: Britannia Concert Band
7.30pm - 9pm The Crescent
Formed in 1866, the Band’s program covers a wide variety of music from marches, big band classics, folk, classical and showstoppers.
MONDAY 24 JULY
• Ladies Golf for the E.J. Donnelly Cup
From 8am at Portstewart Golf Club
More details from Portstewart Golf Club.
Tel: 028 7083 2015
Sponsored by Stone Boutique, The Promenade, Portstewart
• Sandcastle Workshop
11am - 1pm at The Crescent
An opportunity to learn some techniques/skills ahead of the competition later in the week.
Facilitator: Anthony Hawkins.
• Chinese Exercise Programme with Bonny Cooper
12.30pm at The Crescent
Bonny’s programme is an introduction to Chinese dance, exercises, and Qigong. Including light stretching dance, a set of Qigong movements and talk to explain how they work and the benefits.
• Red Sails Dog Show
2pm at the grass area of St. Mary’s Star Of The Sea Parish Centre
This is a fun event for the children and their dogs, organised by Bubbles Dog Grooming. Classes will include:
1. Prettiest female dog over 1 year old
2. Handsomest male dog over 1 year old
3. Cutest puppy under a year
4. Best Senior Dog over 8 years old
5. Junior handler (participants will be asked to make their dog, walk at heel, sit, stay and perform a trick such as giving paw.)
6. Adult Handler
7. Judges Best in Show.
Entry £2.00 per class proceeds towards Red Sails
Registration on the day.
• Live Music: Damien O'Connor & Guests
2.00pm - 3.00pm at The Crescent
Playing classical guitar music from various composers including Bach, Vivaldi, Scott Joplin and others.
• Facepainting
3.00pm - 5.00pm at The Crescent
Provided by Face Painting By The Sea
• Community Drumming & More
3.00pm - 5pm at The Crescent
An opportunity for the audience to have a go with tribal drums and percussion instruments.Plus, fun with Hula Hoops, & Giant Bubbles.
• Bubble Bike
3pm - 4.30pm roaming The Crescent and Promenade
• Live Music: Magwere Band
5pm at The Crescent
Fronted by Wilson Magwere. World African (afro) beat music, including - electrical storm rhythms, beats saturated with pure joy, bass clicks, autowah cajoling drum battles & catharsis!
Magwere music won’t allow you to sit when they’re playing live!
• Bubble Bike
7pm - 8.30pm roaming The Crescent and Promenade
• Live Music: Cellar Door
7.30pm at The Crescent
One of the most popular bands from the local area playing a mix of rock and pop classic songs.
TUESDAY 25 JULY
• All Ages Thai Workshop
11am - 1pm at Agherton Parish Hall
Paint traditional Thai rice paper umbrellas and fans handmade from bamboo. Express your artistic flair using vibrant colours depicting delicate floral patterns and landscapes.
• 'Under the Sea' Rhythm and Rhyme
11.00am - 11.30am at Portstewart Library (162a Station Road)
Songs and rhymes for ages 0-4 years.
Booking Essential 028 7083 2712
• Live Music: Aidan Moffett
12.30pm - 1.30pm at The Crescent
Join the Singer/Guitarist from The Groove Robbers for an hour of hit songs from popular classics to modern day hits.
• Disney Themed Kids/Family Walking Treasure Hunt 1.30pm - 3.00pm at The Crescent and Promenade
To enter-register at the Gazebo at the Crescent. Plus additional prizes for best Disney themed costumes! Prize giving at 3.10pm.
Sponsored By Morelli’s To Go.
• Live Music: Harp/Classical Guitar Recital
2pm - 3.30pm at Church Of Ireland, The Diamond
In the beautiful acoustics of the Church, the recital will open with local guitarist Damien O'Connor playing classical and traditional airs. Then members of the Causeway Harp School led by Katy Bustard will entertain the audience with a number of traditional Irish tunes.
• Kids Disco & Games
3.20pm - 4.50pm at The Crescent
• Flying Dragon/Lion Dance Performance
5pm at The Crescent
The Flying Dragon dancers amaze young and old with their daring acrobatic feats. The brightly coloured costumes of the playful lions and ferocious dragons, the sounds of drums, gongs, and cymbals delight the senses. The dances imitate various movements and demonstrate martial arts agility.
• Bubble Bike
7pm - 8.30pm roaming The Crescent and Promenade
• Live Music: Andy Rodgers
7.30pm at The Crescent
'Elvis Show' - Local legend Andy Rodgers performing a 90 minute show that includes many of Elvis favs, with several costume changes representing the true spirit of “The King”.
WEDNESDAY 26 JULY
• Children’s Viking Workshop
10am - 12noon and 1pm-3pm at Agherton Parish Hall
Viking themed workshop for ages 5 -12. Clothing, swords games etc. Meet a Viking, weave on a loom, play trip trap troll and lots more.
Includes Viking Long ship (used in Viking TV Series) on display in Agherton Parish Hall car park.
• Big Telly Theatre Company: The Living Room
12noon - 3.00pm at The Crescent
The Living Room has two chatty hosts who will be delighted to welcome you in for conversation and craic. It’s a humble home, with somewhere to sit and a TV to watch. A TV that talks back!
• Council Summer Street Theatre
3.30pm Council at The Crescent
• Mr Hullabaloo Story Time
4.30pm at The Crescent
Mr Hullabaloo’s diversity show celebrating friends all around the world combines music, scenery, storytelling and colourful mascot costumes to take audiences on an exciting holiday adventure!
• Bubble Bike
4pm and 7pm roaming The Crescent and Promenade
• Live Music: Willie Drennan and Guests
7pm at The Crescent
With full band plus special-guest musicians and dancers. Ulster-Scots meets Irish Trad, Transatlantic Old-time and even some Rock 'n Roll/Folk Fusion.
THURSDAY 27 JULY
• Gents Golf Competition (J.B. Kennedy Rose Bowl)
From 8.00am at Portstewart Golf Club
Sponsored by Wilson's, The Promenade, Portstewart.
More details from Portstewart Golf Club. Tel: 02870832015
• Mens Shed Open Day
12noon - 4.00pm at Central Avenue, between Church Hall and Primary School
Come and meet members of the Mens Shed at our Open Day and see what we do. Enjoy the Ukulele Group between 12.00-1.00pm.
Food will be available!
• Children’s Pavement Art Competition
12noon - 12.40 at The Crescent
Chalk provided. Prize Giving 12.45pm!
• Children’s Red Sails Got Talent
Registration from noon, starting at 2.00pm at The Crescent
Free to enter.
Age categories 5-10 and 11-16.
Dancers will need to provide a device with their dance music. Dance performance will be at the concrete area beside the bandstand and dance routines must be suitably safe to perform in this area.
Singing, Poetry, Stand Up Comedy and Dancing have all featured in our annual competition in recent years.
Special Guest: Tori-Rose Gilpin
Tori-Rose, the winner of Portstewart’s first Busking Competition in March, will perform at half time and whilst the Judges deliberate after all the performances.
Sponsored by Maxwell Freight Services.
• Face Painting
4.00pm - 6.00pm at The Crescent
Provided by Face Painting by The Sea
• Puppet Show
4.30pm at The Crescent
Provided by Carnival Promotions
• Junior Fishing Competition
7.00pm at Portstewart Harbour
For ages 16 and under. Remember to bring your own rod, tackle and bait!
• Bubble Bike
7.30pm - 9pm roaming The Crescent and Promenade
• Live Music: The Rhythm Rascals
7.30pm at The Crescent
New Orleans Jazz, Big Band Swing, Jazz Standards, Jazz Fusion, Rhythm & Blues With vocals from Chris Robinson and Cherith Patterson.
• Play Your Cards Right
9.00pm at the Royal British Legion Hall, Lever Road
There are prizes to be won if you play your cards right!
FRIDAY 28 JULY
• 'Under The Sea' Story & Crafts
11:00 - 12noon at Portstewart Library, 162a Station Road
For ages 4-8 years
Booking Essential 028 7083 2712
• Hugo Duncan Radio Ulster Roadshow
1.30pm at The Crescent
Good to see Hugo back with his hugely popular show, including several guest artists from the country music scene.
• Wanda The Fairy
3pm - 5pm at The Crescent and Promenade
Spreading joy and fairy magic!
• Sandcastle Competition
3.15pm - 4.00pm at The Crescent
Judge Anthony Hawkins
Prize Giving at 4.10pm
• Street Theatre: Organised by CC&G Council
4.00pm at The Crescent
• Live Music: Cora Harkin
5.00pm - 5.30pm at The Crescent
Young singer-songwriter-musician and Ireland's Got Talent 2018 contestant. Junior Eurovision Ireland finalist. Winner Under 17 category of the Forestside Roots Live Young Singer Songwriter competition 2021.
• Children's Face Painting
7pm - 9pm at The Crescent
Provided by Face Painting By The Sea
• Live Music: The Matchstick Men
7.00pm at The Crescent
Popular local band performing a Status Quo Tribute
• Walkabout Superhero Characters
Roaming The Crescent and Promenade
7pm - 9pm: Wanda The Fairy
7.30pm - 9pm: Spiderman, Captain America, The Hulk
SATURDAY 29 JULY
• Traditional Drontheim / Drascombe Boats (Weather permitting)
10am - 4pm in the Bay
Exhibition at The Harbour including storyboards on History of Traditional Craft, and Traditional Boat on Display. Also includes a performance from 3pm by the Causeway Shantymen, which comprises of 12-15 Salty Sea Dogs!
• Supercar Sunday Weekend (Air Ambulance Organised Charity Event)
Taking place at the NW200 Pitts
Checkout Air Ambulance website/facebook page for more details.
• Syrian Culture Event
10.30am - 12.30pm at Agherton Parish Hall
Join our local Syrian community to enjoy some Syrian delicacies and find out more about their culture and history.
• Bonny Cooper Chinese Exercise Programme
12.30pm at The Crescent
Bonny’s programme is an introduction to Chinese dance, exercises, and Qigong. Including light stretching dance, a set of Qigong movements and talk to explain how they work and the benefits.
• Roary The Dinosaur
1.30pm - 5.30pm at The Crescent
Have a Jurassic time with Roary the T.Rex and some baby hatchling dinosaurs.
• Children’s Fancy Dress Parade
1.15pm assemble at Atlantic Circle where judging will take place.
Costume categories include: Prettiest, Topical and Most Comical.
1.45pm: Parade leaves Atlantic Circle proceeding to The Crescent
Included in the parade are The Transatlantic Hillbilly Band. Performing old-time classic favourites from Ulster and Appalachia as they saunter along the Promenade.
Portstewart Fire Engine, Pirate Bubble Bike and Walkabout characters including Elsa, Anna & Olaf from Frozen and Wanda The Fairy will attend!
2pm Fancy Dress Prize Giving at Crescent. Prizes Sponsored By Tescos Portstewart
After which Anna & Elsa will perform some songs from Frozen
• Portstewart Masonic Open Day
2pm-5pm at 2 Church Street. Portstewart
The Royal Blue Masonic Lodge 404, would like to invite you to our ‘Open Day’. You can be assured of a warm welcome by the members of the Lodge. Take your time to view the interior of the hall and discover more about Freemasonry, it’s history, purpose, membership and charitable work. Please come along and enjoy the hospitality and a friendly informal chat. You may be surprised at what you discover!
• Sam Madden: Freestyle Football
2.40pm at The Crescent
Sam, a two-time Irish Freestyle Football Champion will be coming along to display his skills. Sam was declared as an official UEFA Euro 2020 football freestyle ambassador and was employed to perform at the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar. After a short demo/chat Sam will spend approx. 3 hours in Crescent area demonstrating his footballing skills.
• Live Music: Brown Sugar (Part 1)
2.45pm-3.45pm at The Crescent
Local two piece who have been performing since 2000. Playing a range of popular tunes, from an ever-evolving set list
• Children's Face Painting
3pm - 5pm at The Crescent
Provided by Face Painting By The Sea
• Captain Ramsey Walkabout
3pm - 4.30pm at The Crescent and Promenade
Comedy Solo Walkabout.
• Pirate Bubble Bike
3.30pm - 5pm at The Crescent and Promenade
• Bright Lights Scottish Dancers
4pm at The Crescent
In Ulster-Scots dance displays, the Bright Lights dance group presents a unique fusion style of all dance forms, coupled with colourful costumes.
• Live Music: Alastair Scott Ceilidh Band
4.20pm at The Crescent
Twice voted wedding entertainers of the year (N.Ireland Wedding Awards) The Alastair Scott Ceilidh Band’s set includes lots of well-known favourites like Strip the Willow, Dashing White Sergeant and the Gay Gordons with some surprises along the way.
• Innova Irish Dancers
5.30pm at The Crescent
Since reaching the Britain's Got Talent semi-final in 2014 Portstewart based Innova I.D.C. have gone from strength to strength. They have performed at big events around the UK and the rest of the world. And many of the dancers have won medals and cups in various competitions.
• Live Music: Brown Sugar (Part 2)
6.15pm - 7.15pm at The Crescent
• Walkabout Characters and Bubble Bike
Roaming The Crescent and Promenade
7pm - 9pm: Wanda the Fairy
7.30pm - 9.00pm: Superheroes NI Ironman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Captain America
7.30pm - 9pm: Captain Ramsey walkabout
• Children's Face Painting
7pm - 9pm at The Crescent
Provided by Face Painting By The Sea
• Chinese Dance Performance
7.30pm at The Crescent
• Victoria Lagan Dance & Drama
8.00pm at The Crescent
VLDD train all year long so they can do so many competitions, performances, exams and of course their annual performance at the amazing Red Sails Festival!
• Raffle Draw
8.20pm at The Crescent
• Live Music: The Dandy Lyons
9pm at The Crescent
Hailing from the North Coast, ‘The Dandy Lyons’ are a seven-piece female led band who have been performing together in venues and events across Northern Ireland since 2017.
Playing a diverse range of genres, covering the biggest and best popular classics from the ‘60s to the present day, ranging from Fleetwood Mac, Journey, ABBA, The Undertones, Thin Lizzy, Tina Turner, and many more
• Fireworks Display
10.30pm from The Harbour Hill.
This year the spectacular fireworks Portstewart fireworks display organised by CCG Council.