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Gracehill Scarecrow Festival

25 Church Road, Gracehill, Ballymena, County Antrim, BT42 2NL
Gracehill Scarecrow Festival

About

Join Us at the 6th Gracehill Scarecrow Festival!

Get ready for an unforgettable day at the 6th Gracehill Scarecrow Festival, taking place alongside Harvest Weekend on Saturday 26th September 2026, from 11:00 to 18:00, in the historic and unique Moravian village of Gracehill, near Ballymena. (The scarecrows will also remain on display on Sunday!)

This beloved event transforms this historic village into a whimsical wonderland, where scarecrows of all shapes and sizes come to life.

As you stroll through the village of Gracehill, you'll discover creative and quirky scarecrows hidden behind trees, peeking out of windows, and lounging in gardens. The entire village and wider community come together to craft these unique characters, competing for the title of the best scarecrow based on any character or theme.

The last festival in 2024 was a huge hit, with over 77 scarecrows on display! This year promises to be even bigger and better.

What to Expect:

Scarecrow Trail: Pick up a trail guide at the village square for a suggested donation of £2.00. Enjoy a leisurely walk around the village as you hunt for scarecrows and try to solve their fun anagram.

Voting: Don't forget to vote for your favourite scarecrow! Your vote helps decide the winner of this year's competition.

Artisan Market (Saturday only): Head to Cennick Hall in the village and discover treats and treasures to buy.

The Gracehill Scarecrow Festival is organised by the Gracehill Moravian Church and the Gracehill Village Environmental Committee. All proceeds from the event go towards preserving the village's historic church and grounds, ensuring they remain a treasure for both the community and visitors.

Interested in Competing? If you have a flair for creativity and would like to enter your own scarecrow, then you are welcome to participate! Registration forms are available at the Old School House entrance hall in Gracehill or can be downloaded from www.gracehillvillage.org/ Completed forms should be returned to the Moravian Manse at 25 Church Road or emailed to gracehill.scarecrow@hotmail.com.

Come and be a part of the magic at the Gracehill Scarecrow Festival. Whether you're a visitor or a participant, Gracehill looks forward to welcoming you there!

Book Tickets

Facilities

Accessibility

  • All areas accessible to disabled visitors

Parking & Transport

  • On site parking

Guide Prices

Pick up a trail guide at the village square for a suggested donation of £2.00

Book Tickets Online

Add Gracehill Scarecrow Festival to your Itinerary

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Call direct on:

Tel+44 (0) 7903 739933

Tel+44 (0) 7879 435134

Map & Directions

Opening Times

Gracehill Scarecrow Festival 2026 (26 Sept 2026)
DayTimes
Saturday11:00 - 18:00

* Scarecrows will also remain on display on Sunday 27 September.

What's Nearby

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Virtual Tour

Map & Directions

Road Directions

There is limited parking available in Gracehill on the day of the event. 

Visitors are encouraged to park within the grounds of Galgorm estate and take the opportunity to follow the scenic Castle Walk (Galgorm Castle to Gracehill) into the village.

Public Transport Directions

Gracehill is about 3 miles (4.5 km) from Ballymena Bus & Rail Centre.

By bus (easiest option)

Take a Translink bus towards Ahoghill/Gracehill.  Get off at Gracehill Corner or Gracehill Village.  Journey time is around 8 minutes.

Use Translink Journeyplanner to plan your trip.

Walking

Leave the Bus and Rail Centre and follow signs for the A42 Galgorm Road, then towards Gracehill. Continue south-west out of Ballymena following the road towards the village. The walk is approximately 2.7 to 3 miles and takes around 40 to 50 minutes. 

Taxi

A taxi from the station to Gracehill typically takes 4 to 5 minutes.

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