Category: Buffers

Oakfest 2026

Posted on by Clare McCahill

Oakfest 2026 at Oakfield Park

Join us for Oakfest 2026, a two-day family music festival in Donegal, taking place on 5th and 6th September. With live entertainment across two stages, fantastic food, family activities and an exciting mix of original artists and tribute acts, Oakfest promises a memorable weekend for music lovers of all ages.

Saturday 5th September – Live & Original Acts

Saturday’s programme showcases original music from some of Ireland’s most celebrated performers:

• The Boomtown Rats
• The Stunning (Special Guests)
• Super Céili
• Fake Friends
• Lazember

Sunday 6th September – Legends Reimagined

Sunday brings a full day of tribute performances celebrating some of the biggest names in music:

• Daft Punk Tribute
• The Elvis Spectacular
• Proud Mary & her City Limits Band – Tina Turner Tribute
• Legendary – A Tribute to Bon Jovi
• Luke & Lainey Live – A Nashville Experience
• Taylor NI hosted by Sabrina C

More Than Just Live Music

Alongside a packed programme of performances, visitors can enjoy an expanded food and drink offering throughout the weekend. Our bars will be larger than ever, Buffers will be serving a selection of delicious food, and the BBQs will be fired up across the festival site.

Families can also look forward to additional children’s entertainment, with a full programme of family activities to be announced.

VIP Experience

A limited number of VIP tickets are available, including access to The Green Room VIP area, a welcome drink on arrival, private bar facilities and views of both festival stages.

Travel Information

Shuttle bus services operated by McGettigan Travel will run from Letterkenny, departuring from and returning to The Orchard Venue. A Raphoe pick-up point will also be available. Please follow our social media channels for the latest transport updates and schedules.

Important Information

Capacity for Oakfest 2026 is limited.
Tickets will not be available at the gate.
Parking must be booked before completing checkout.
Ticket prices increase as the festival date approaches.
Children under 3 years of age are admitted free of charge and do not require a ticket.
While pets are normally welcome at Oakfield Park, they will not be permitted during Oakfest.

Please note: All ticket purchases are non-refundable. Refunds will only be issued where required by law.

Want to see the full Oakfest 2026 line-up? Visit the festival page for performer profiles.

When you’re ready, book your tickets online to secure your place at one of Donegal’s biggest family-friendly music festivals before availability runs out.

>> Book Single Day Tickets

>> Book Weekend Tickets

>> Book Parking

Oakfield Bark Dog Show 2026

Posted on by Clare McCahill

The Oakfield Bark Dog Show promises to be a tail-wagging day of fun with dog classes, live demos, stalls, and pawsome prizes. 

Sunday 7th June 2026

11:00am-6:00pm

A fun-filled Oakfield Bark Dog Show is planned with Dog Entry Classes, workshops, demonstrations, plus many doogie-related exhibitors in attendance, with proceeds going to the Irish Guide Dogs Donegal Branch.

Oakfield Bark Dog Show at Oakfield Park 2025 demonstrations

Enter your furry companion into any category(s) you wish. There will be prizes for each winning class as well as an overall prize for Best in Show, which is sponsored by Cooneys / Gary’s Pet World.

Oakfield Bark Dog Show at Oakfield Park 2025

Paw Patrol characters will be in attendance to entertain the kids along with free facepainting, and the train will be running throughout the day, and you can even take your dog on board!

Photo of Paw Patrol characters ready to entertain the kids at Oakfield Bark Dog Show, at Oakfield Park in Donegal

Buffers Restaurant will be open, serving delicious hot and cold dishes with a selection of refreshing drinks.

A day out not to be missed for all dog lovers!

Oakfield Bark Dog Show - 7th June 2026

Normal gate fees apply for the humans with an additional fee of €8 to register each dog for the show.

Dog Classes:

1. Best Puppy – under 12 months

2. Prettiest Girl – over 12 months

3. Handsome Boy – over 12 months

4. Owner Lookalike

5. Waggiest Tail

6. Best Trick

7. Best Senior Dog – over 8 years

8. Best Rescue Dog

9. Best Young Handler – under 16s

10. Best Adult Handler

11. Best Crossbreed Dog

12. Best Large Dog

13. Best Medium Dog

14. Best Small Dog

15. Best Pedigree Dog

Awards include the overall BEST IN SHOW and winner of The Oakfield Bark Cup. In addition, a trophy will be presented for RESERVE BEST IN SHOW.

Judged by IKC Judge – Marty Potts.

ENTER NOW

The Santa Express 2025

Posted on by David

The Santa Express 2025 in Oakfield Park is back bigger and better than ever before!

What’s new at The Santa Express 2025 in Oakfield Park?

SANTA’S MAP ROOM:

Brand new interactive feature. Atlas the Elf hosts a live demonstration in Santa’s state of the art cabin full of maps and plans. Learn how to say “Merry Christmas” in different languages or explore how other countries celebrate the season, and uncover the secrets of Santa’s worldwide delivery route. Every 20 minutes, Atlas welcomes a new group of young explorers to take part in interactive games and festive challenges all designed to help chart the perfect path through the night sky. Children of all ages can play and parents can watch and cheer from the viewing area.

NEW LOG CABINS IN CHRISTMAS VILLAGE:

Tootsie’s Toyshop and The Sensory room have both moved into newly refurbished cabins and completely redecorated. New gifts on offer as well as a large selection of confectionary and Oakfield Park Items.

THE FROST FOUNTAIN AND LIGHT SHOW:

Each year, our Christmas light display grows brighter and this year, the magic has reached the water. Introducing the brand new Frost Fountain: a dazzling spectacle where lights and water come to life across the lake.

BIGGEST CHRISTMAS TREE IN IRELAND

Has got even taller and more spectacular – This magical construction can be seen from the train journey as well as with the newly extended Candyland, Toytown and Unicorn Kingdom.

CHRISTMAS CRAFT, PAINTING ELF DOORS:

Introducing The Magic Door Co. AKA Our Elf Door Painting Station.
Children select their door to become their elf’s portal and paint it however they choose—classic red, snowy white, or rainbow colour explosion! On Christmas Eve, place the finished door out for your elf and it becomes their magic passageway back to the North Pole. Next year, bring it back out to welcome them home in style. A fun and festive craft to start a new family tradition.

EVEN MORE SNOWFALL:

More snow cover across the Christmas village from our snow machines.

NEW HEATED CHALETS:

This year, the cabins outside Santa’s Grotto have been completely transformed. Rebuilt and lovingly redecorated in the style of a ski chalet, they’re now cosier and more magical than ever. As you step off the train, you’ll be welcomed into a warm alpine retreat where Santa’s top elves have been hard at work creating new ways to keep you entertained before your meeting with the Man himself!

Please note that the most popular tickets sell out first, so we advise early booking to avoid disappointment. When you receive your tickets, please keep them safe. There will be no refunds under any circumstance. It is essential that only the ticketholders attend on the day. We encourage everyone to read the Terms and Conditions carefully before booking, and before contacting us. 

The start time on your ticket is the time that the TRAIN LEAVES THE STATION. We advise arriving at least 10 minutes before your allocated time. However, if your train time is later in the evening, you can arrive a long while BEFORE and enjoy the other activities, have a meal and take in the atmosphere. The same applies for early trains – you can hang around AFTER the train comes back to the station. On later trains there won’t be enough time after your train ride to enjoy all the activities.

We advise having at least an hour set aside either before or after your train ride to fit everything in. The train ride and Santa visit itself takes approximately 40 minutes. Therefore the total experience can take 2 hours or even more. 

Join us for one of the country’s biggest Christmas events, and take a real train to meet the man himself by visiting www.oakfieldpark.com/santa or ticketmaster.ie