Portadown's Pleasure Gardens Comes Alive This Saturday with Artisan Food and Craft Market
This Saturday morning, Portadown Pleasure Gardens has somewhere better to be than your sofa.
On 27th June, from 10am to 3pm, the popular green space will play host to an Artisan Food and Craft Market — part of the ABC Borough's most ambitious touring markets programme to date. If you haven't been to one of these yet, this is a very good reason to start.
Bigger, Better and Borough-Wide
The 2026 artisan markets programme didn't happen by accident. Following the success of last year's series, the council expanded the programme from 9 markets to 14 for 2026, with the touring schedule now visiting Armagh, Banbridge, Dromore, Lurgan and Portadown across the year. NorthernIrelandWorld
The Lord Mayor, Alderman Stephen Moutray, described the markets as showcasing "an exciting mix of truly local handcrafted goods, gourmet food, artisan treats, and unique local creations — giving residents and visitors a chance to support small businesses and discover the outstanding talent within the borough." NorthernIrelandWorld
The council's own Markets Strategy sets out the thinking clearly: the aim is to "deliver an enhanced market offering that builds capacity, supports traders, and strengthens local communities" — and after back-to-back successful years, it's hard to argue with the results. NorthernIrelandWorld
Saturday's Portadown market is also one of two stops in the town this year. Portadown returns again on 29 August, this time at Magowan West Car Park from 10am to 3pm. So if this weekend sparks something, you won't have long to wait for a repeat. NorthernIrelandWorld
What to Expect on the Day
These markets have built a reputation for quality over quantity. Expect a carefully curated mix — freshly baked goods, artisan food producers, handcrafted jewellery, homeware, original artwork, and the kind of unique gifts you simply won't find on the high street. There's an unhurried, community atmosphere to them that makes the browsing as enjoyable as the buying.
With Portadown Pleasure Gardens as the setting, it promises to be a lovely way to spend a summer morning. Bring the family, bring the dog, and take your time.
Part of Something Bigger for Portadown
The arrival of events like Saturday's market reflects a broader push to put life back into Portadown's town centre — and it's a conversation local representatives have been having loudly. When council approved plans for Portadown's town centre market programme earlier this year, the welcome from elected members was warm and unambiguous.
Councillor Lavelle McIlwrath (DUP, Portadown DEA) commented: "I'm very happy to propose this. It's good to see the market coming back to Portadown." Councillor Kyle Moutray added: "It's a good opportunity to bring local traders into the town centre where I think they should be." NorthernIrelandWorldArmagh I
That sentiment echoes what many people in Portadown have long felt — that the town has the bones of something special, and that events like this are part of what brings it back to life.
Support Local This Saturday
Behind every stall at Saturday's market is a real person — a baker up since before dawn, a maker who has spent weeks crafting their products, a small business owner who has put their time, energy and savings into doing something they believe in. When you shop at an artisan market, you're not just buying something; you're backing someone in your community.
So if you're free this Saturday, head to Portadown Pleasure Gardens. The market runs from 10am to 3pm and entry is free.
It's a morning well spent — and a reminder of just how much local talent there is right here in the ABC area.
Portadown Pleasure Gardens Artisan Food and Craft Market — Saturday 27 June, 10am–3pm. Free entry.
Have you been to one of the ABC Borough's artisan markets this year? We'd love to know what you picked up — and what you're hoping to find on Saturday. Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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