Bushmills will host a rebranded and expanded festival next weekend as the former Bushmills Salmon & Whiskey Festival returns as The Giant Table, running from Friday 2 to Sunday 4 October.

Organisers said the new identity reflects a broader celebration of food, drink, and culture across the Causeway Coast and Glens, moving beyond the original focus on salmon and whiskey.

The festival opens on Friday with food tastings at Bushmills Visitor Information Centre, guided walking tours with Anthony MacNaghten, and evening dining experiences. A Supper Club at Tartine at Distillers Arms will feature chefs Gary Stewart and Rob Curley of Slemish Market Supper Club.

Saturday and Sunday will bring street activities and venue events, including cookery demonstrations, artisan markets, live music, and producer meet-and-greets. Demonstrations will be held at Main Street Cookery Theatre and The Courthouse Cookery Theatre, with chefs Nathan Anthony, Darragh Milligan, Ian Orr, and Stephen Jeffers.

Live entertainment will include performances by Chloe Mac, Eoghan Quigg, Half Cut, and Sarah Carson. Roaming acts such as the Causeway Shantymen and stilt walkers will appear around the village.

A drinks hub on Main Street will showcase Northern Irish beverages on Sunday, and younger attendees can try pancake making. The Giant Bake Off competition will take place on Saturday, with entries accepted at Dunluce Parish Church Hall from 10:30am to noon. Judging by chef Gary Stewart and Lyla Doey will begin at 2pm.

A new Wellness Hub will operate in nearby Portballintrae on Saturday, offering yoga, kayaking, sauna, and cold-plunge sessions. Bookable experiences include foraging, ring fort walks, holistic healing, and Bushmills Distillery tours.

Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Dawn Huggins, said the new identity celebrates the character, creativity, and culinary heritage of the borough, bringing people together around one giant table. She noted the festival has grown from a community celebration of two local products into a broader showcase of food, drink, craft, and hospitality.

Advance booking is required for the Tartine Supper Club, sauna sessions, yoga, and distillery experiences. Foraging, kayaking, and ring fort walks can be booked through Bushmills Visitor Information Centre.