Port to Port Festival in Lisbon is building a bridge between Irish and Portuguese culture by combining the best new music and art from both countries in a two-day spectacular.

The festival will take place in Lisbon's Beato neighbourhood on March 21 and 22. It will present alternative music, visual art, food, drink and workshops from Ireland, Portugal and beyond. The first acts have been announced, spanning an array of genres from folk to experimental electronic.

The first flurry of artists sets the international tone for the weekender, with Citrus Fresh, Hazey Haze, Soft Focus and Mark Waldron-Hyden  making their way from Ireland to join the Lisbon based artists Foggy, MagMell, Will Grant and Atelier Francesco.

One of the festival organisers, Cork man Eddie Ivers, says: “With the first edition of Port to Port, our aim is to strengthen the cultural ties between Portugal and Ireland. Ports have played an integral part of civilisations throughout the ages as the gateway through which people, goods, ideas, craic and culture move. No less relevant today, Port to Port Festival brings together artists, musicians and generally good folk from Portugal and Ireland — two seafaring nations that have been closely linked for centuries."

Early bird weekend tickets are available now for only €12. Day tickets range from €8 to €10.