Gracehill Scarecrow Festival

Gracehill Scarecrow Festival 2026
Get ready for a fun-filled day at the Gracehill Scarecrow Festival 2026, taking place alongside Harvest Weekend in the historic Moravian village of Gracehill, near Ballymena.

The festival returns on Saturday 26 September 2026, from 11am to 6pm, transforming the village into a colourful trail of creative scarecrows made by local residents, families and community groups.

The scarecrows will also remain on display on Sunday 27 September, giving visitors another chance to explore the village.

Explore the Gracehill Scarecrow Trail
Visitors can pick up a scarecrow trail guide from the village square for a suggested donation of £2.

Follow the route around Gracehill and look out for scarecrows hidden throughout the village — behind trees, in gardens, at windows and beside historic buildings.

Each scarecrow can be based on a character, theme or original idea, with participants competing to create the most imaginative display.

The previous festival in 2024 featured more than 77 scarecrows, and organisers are hoping for an even bigger turnout in 2026.

What to Expect
Scarecrow Trail
Explore the village at your own pace and see how many scarecrows you can find.

The trail also includes a fun anagram challenge for visitors to complete along the way.

Vote for Your Favourite
Visitors can vote for their favourite scarecrow, helping to decide the winner of the 2026 competition.

Artisan Market
On Saturday, visitors can also browse an artisan market at Cennick Hall, with a selection of local products, treats and gifts available to buy.

Supporting Gracehill’s Heritage
The festival is organised by Gracehill Moravian Church and the Gracehill Village Environmental Committee.

Money raised from the event helps support the preservation of Gracehill’s historic church and grounds, helping to protect the village’s heritage for future generations.

Enter the Scarecrow Competition
Anyone who would like to create and enter their own scarecrow is welcome to take part.

Registration forms are available from the Old School House entrance hall in Gracehill, or can be downloaded from the Gracehill Village website.

Completed forms can be returned to:

Moravian Manse
25 Church Road
Gracehill

Or emailed to:

gracehill.scarecrow@hotmail.com

Event Information
Date: Saturday 26 September 2026
Time: 11am to 6pm
Location: Gracehill, near Ballymena
Sunday display: Scarecrows remain on display on Sunday 27 September
Trail guide: Suggested donation of £2
Artisan market: Saturday only

Whether you are taking part in the competition or simply visiting for the day, the Gracehill Scarecrow Festival is a great way to enjoy local creativity, community spirit and the unique character of one of County Antrim’s most distinctive historic villages.