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Newry Goes Nashville will return to the city from Friday 3 July to Sunday 5 July, with Newry BID promising the biggest and most family-friendly festival yet. More than 30 venues will take part, with live music, pop-up performances, dancing and family entertainment planned throughout the city centre.
The festival is proudly delivered by Newry BID, with booking links and programme available at www.newry.com for events requiring advance registration.
Following the success of last year's inaugural event, organisers have expanded the daytime schedule of free family activities across the weekend, while the nighttime programme remains at the heart of the festival.
Saturday morning will feature a number of family-friendly activities, including a free storytelling session at The Bookshelf from 10am until 11am, a Sign & Rhyme session at Newry Library from 11am to 12 noon, and a Western Craft Workshop at Studio 23 from 12 noon until 1pm, where children can create their own sheriff badges.
One of the highlights will be Boots & Beats, a Nashville Hoe-Down taking place in Buttercrane Shopping Centre from 1pm to 4pm on Saturday 4 July. Families can enjoy live country music, line dancing demonstrations from Academy Dance Studio, face painting, a bucking bronco and appearances from special guest Giovanni Coenmans, one of Europe's country and western dance instructors and judges.
Oliver; Barry Reilly, Ginger Janes; Pádhraic McArdle, Snaubs; Joe Moan and Ross
McArdle, Nan Rices; Orla Hayes, Canal Court Hotel; Ruairi Cahill, Funk Soul Media;
Sabrina McTaggart, Magees Bar; Ciaran Fox, Tempo Promotions; Siobhan Reel,
Deli Lites; Sean Og McBraoin, Iúr FM; Cathy Goodfellow, Cobbles Bar; Eamonn
Connolly, Newry BID; Kevin O'Neill, The Bank Bar and Restaurant and Andrew
Connolly, McSwiggans bar.
The family fun continues on Sunday with a second Western Craft Workshop at Studio 23, giving children the opportunity to create their own wooden guitars. From 1pm to 4pm, Buttercrane Shopping Centre will host the inaugural Trucks & Tractors display, bringing American trucks, tractors and unique vehicles together in support of Air Ambulance NI, with Newry BID donating £10 to the charity for every vehicle displayed.
Meanwhile, The Quays Shopping Centre will host Join in Jivin' from 2pm to 5pm. Delivered by Academy Dance Studio and judged by Giovanni Coenmans, the event will feature competitions in four categories: Tiny Tots, Under 12s, Teens and Adults/Community, with music, dancing, prizes, face painting and a bucking bronco. Everyone is encouraged to take part regardless of age or ability.
Throughout the weekend, visitors can also enjoy the popular Pop-Up Music Trail, with performances in coffee shops, restaurants, retail spaces and public locations throughout the city centre. Performers including Ceev, Stephen Murphy and Gabriel Bradley will bring live country music to unexpected locations as shoppers and visitors explore the city.
For country music fans, live entertainment will take place in venues including The Canal Court Hotel, Magee's Bar, Ginger Jane's, Nan Rice's, The Bridge Bar, McSwiggan's, The Railway Bar, Cobbles, Brass Monkey, The Phoenix, The Bank Bar, McGuigan's and the Catholic Working Men's Club. A headline event of the weekend will be Friends in Low Places - The Ultimate Garth Brooks Experience, taking place at the Canal Court Hotel on Saturday evening. The acclaimed tribute show has performed to audiences in Ireland, the UK and Europe and promises all of Garth Brooks' biggest hits in what is expected to be one of the most popular events of the festival.
Speaking about the festival Eamonn Connolly, Manager of Newry BID, said: "Last year's event exceeded all expectations and the feedback we received was overwhelmingly positive. One of the key messages from businesses and visitors was that they wanted even more daytime activity and family entertainment, so we have worked hard to build a programme that offers something for everyone. Whether you want to enjoy live music in one of our fantastic venues, take part in a dance competition, bring the children along to a craft workshop or simply soak up the atmosphere around the city, there will be plenty to see and do throughout the weekend. Newry Goes Nashville is about bringing people together, supporting local businesses and creating a unique festival experience in the heart of the city. We look forward to welcoming visitors from across the region for what promises to be a fantastic weekend."
Check out the Newry Goes Nashville Programme 2026
