Bluegrass BBQ FAQs

Bluegrass Omagh won’t be taking place this year as we’re focusing on celebrating the Ulster American Folk Park’s 50th anniversary and America250 with a special programme of events and new experiences.

We review our programme every year based on visitor feedback and careful evaluation, and plans for 2027 and beyond are still being discussed.

For this special anniversary year, you can look forward to three Bluegrass-themed BBQs across June, July and August, with different acts playing at each BBQ and a big anniversary concert 'Live from the Folk Park' to be announced for August.

For 2026, we’re focusing on celebrating the Ulster American Folk Park’s 50th anniversary and America250 with a special programme of events and new experiences.

We review our programme every year based on visitor feedback and careful evaluation, and plans for 2027 and beyond are still being discussed. As part of this process, we’ll look at everything from the 2026 celebrations to previous events, including Bluegrass Omagh.

Bluegrass Omagh is a much-loved event, and we value the enthusiasm of its fans. However, 2026 is a landmark year for the Ulster American Folk Park, and we want to mark this occasion with a broader programme that celebrates strong musical and cultural connections. This approach allows us to celebrate our shared heritage in new and exciting ways.

The Bluegrass BBQs will take place at Ulster American Folk Park, 2 Mellon Road, Omagh, BT78 5QU.

The Bluegrass BBQs will take place on Sunday 21st June, Sunday 26th July & Sunday 16th August 2026.

The Ulster American Folk Park will be open from 10.00 for visitors to explore the museum as normal. The majority of performances will start in the afternoon from 14:00.

Visitors will be able to explore the majority of the museum as normal, however note that some areas may be restricted due to performances taking place. 

There will be one stage for performances. 

Your ticket will include admission into the museum, including access to the live performances taking place on the stage.

There will also be a BBQ onsite, with other vendors, including a paid bar. 

Yes, however we recommend that you buy tickets in advance as we cannot guarantee tickets will be left to purchase on the day due to capacity restrictions. 

We ask that children are accompanied by an adult at all times when attending the event. You can read more about our Safeguarding Policy here.  

An email confirmation will be sent to you electronically when you make your purchase. You can either show this on the day digitally, or print out a physical copy and bring it with you.  

Guests who have ONE of the following documentation are entitled to one free carer ticket along with their full-price ticket. Any additional members of the party will need to purchase a full price ticket. Please note that you will be required to show the relevant paperwork as well as suitable photo ID of the named recipient as part of the check-in and admissions area when you arrive. Failure to provide this information may result in your admission being refused.

Please email info@nationalmuseumsni.org to claim your ticket.

• Entitlement to Disability Living Allowance for children under 16 or DLA/Personal Independent Payments (PIP) for those aged 16-64, either in the form of a letter stating that the benefit has been awarded, or the actual Allowance book.
• Attendance Allowance or Carer's Allowance letter of award.
• Incapacity Benefit books, or a letter notifying the recipient that the benefit has been awarded Incapacity Benefit or Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).
• A valid Blue Badge.
• In the case of visual impairment, a registration card known as the BD8 or a Certificate of Visual Impairment (CVI).
• A local authority registration document which is local to the attraction where it is being submitted.
• A recognised Assistance Dog ID Card.
• Credibility’s Access Card.

Picnics will be allowed on site and we have a number of benches for you to make use of. We also recommend bringing a chair/blanket so you can sit and enjoy the performances in comfort. An umbrella and/or waterproof is also encouraged as we never know what the weather may do!

Bag searches will take place upon entry to the event, and any prohibited items will be held back. This includes fires, alcohol, glassware, sharp objects and portable BBQ's. 

Personal BBQs are not permitted at the event, however picnics are allowed on site and picnic benches are located across the site. Alternatively, you can purchase food from the variety of vendor’s onsite. As per above FAQ, personal alcohol will not be allowed on-site.

Dogs are not allowed on site due to the historic nature of the museum. The only exception is assistance dogs.

Assistance dogs are specifically trained and required to provide a service to their owner/user. This includes:

• Guide dogs that assist visitors with visual impairments.
• Hearing dogs or signal dogs that help visitors who are deaf or hard of hearing.
• Service dogs that are not specifically trained for visual or hearing impairment, but are trained to do other work, such as provide mobility and assistance to certain visitors.

You must have your dog's certificate or evidence that your dog is registered and show this at the point of entry.

In addition to our regular on-site facilities located at the Visitor Centre and Dockside Gallery, we will have additional toilets nearby, with accessible and baby changing facilities. 

All event areas are fully accessible, however the only building that has limited access is the Pennsylvanian Farm House which has steps for access. 

There will be no ATMs on site, however all of our retail, bar and food vendors will accept card as well as cash payments.

Yes, a number of our facilities included in the Visitor Centre and Dockside Gallery include changing/feeding areas for babies.

Yes, more details on how to reserve a PMV mobility scooter or wheelchair in advance will be provided soon. 

We have free car parking facilities at Ulster American Folk Park for over 400 cars and 12 coaches on site as well as an overflow carpark. Space will be allocated on a first come first serve basis.  We recommend for those attending that you car share or use alternative forms of transport. Please note that we do not permit overnight parking at the site. 

Travelling by bus?

From Belfast:

Take the 273 Metrobus towards Knockmoyle from Europa Bus Station to Knockmoyle, Ulster American Folk Park. This is a 2hour and 3 minute journey and the bus will drop you off directly at the museum. From there, it is a short 7 minute stroll to the museum. 

From Omagh:

Take the 273 Metrobus towards Knockmoyle from Omagh Depot to Ulster American Folk Park.

For more information call Translink on 02890666630, or visit their website at translink.co.uk.

We do not permit overnight parking at the site.

You can find out more information about accommodation options, food & drink and activities in the area by visiting Explore Omagh & the Sperrins website. 

Yes, you can leave and re-enter via the admissions and security area. You may be asked to show your event tickets or booking confirmation to re-enter. 

Yes, we will also be hosting the ‘Geordie McAdam Open Mic Stage’ for guests to have the opportunity to play as part of the event. More details on how to sign-up for this will be available soon. 

Recycling will be made easy over the weekend with a large segregated recycling waste bank kindly provided by Fermanagh & Omagh District Council which will complement existing measures and reducing the incidence of waste contamination.

Our food & drink vendors will also be segregating and recycling all of their waste over the weekend. They will actively source much of their food and drink supplies from local producers which will reduce the transportation of produce and contribute to sustainability.

The events are subject to a local licensing application and we will ensure the programme finishes each night at the designated time. As the event is taking place in a rural setting, with mature trees around the stages, the controls above will reduce the potential for sound pollution to the small number of neighbouring houses.

You can read our Environmental Sustainability Policy here. 

Of course! Email us at info@nationalmuseumsni.org or phone us on +44 (0) 28 8224 3292 to get in touch so we can help you with your queries.