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Event Highlights

Discover Ards and North Down through our lively events and experiences programme throughout the year.

Annual events are a highlight in our calendar here in Ards and North Down; flagship days out for locals and visitors who travel afar for our renowned programme, which offer free admission and can incur little to no cost.

Please note all events below are for 2024, and more details on each event can be found during the year as the individual event pages are updated.

United Kingdom Pipe Band Championships

The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association Northern Ireland Branch (RSPBANI) in conjunction with the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association is delighted to present the United Kingdom Pipe and Drum Major Championships.

The event will take place at Ward Arras area of Ward Park in Bangor, Northern Ireland, on Saturday 18 May 2024, commencing at 10 am and is supported by and Ards and North Down Borough Council. This free to attend event always makes for a fantastic day out.

The impressive showcase of sound and colour fills the air and is a delight to the eyes. Friendly competition creates a really enjoyable atmosphere for all.

Food and Drink Events

Here in Ards and North Down we can't help but love our food and drink! How can we not, with an abundance of quality local makers and producers who use ingredients from our rich tide and turf, and two local distilleries renowned worldwide for their brews and spirits.

Award winning restaurants and eateries showcase the best of our locally farmed ingredients on plates that tantalise the taste buds.Find out more.

We celebrate this offering with our two Taste Ards and North Down events, one in spring and the other autumn.

Taste Summer, Wednesday 19 – Saturday 30 June
Various events will take place across the borough
Featuring Comber Earlies Food Festival on Saturday 22 June

Taste Autumn, Thursday 5 – Sunday 15 September
Various events will take place across the borough
Featuring Tide and Turf, Portavogie on Saturday 7 September.

More info on both of these Taste events to come.

Keep checking back to our website, follow our facebook page or sign up to our ezine for updates.

Experience Ards and North Down

These events detailed are simply some of the highlights during the year however sprinkled in between is a wealth of independently run events, group tours and private tours of a variety of interests, family fun days and so on.

Every year we put together a programme of Experiences that bring together local businesses to create unique days out for you to enjoy in our place.Our coastline makes for a great adventure playground, treated respectfully of course with safety in mind; our countryside dotted with artists and makers, producers, and historic towns and villages, are a canvas of arts and heritage to be explored.

Highlights of this particular programme, which runs from April to January, can include tours and events held in locations not normally open to the public, on water fun such involving paddleboards and kayaks, opportunities to learn new skills in the way of arts and crafts, a chance to devour some scrumptious delights in our local eateries, serving our local ingredients in the finest way possible sure to have you wanting more.

Find out more about our Experience programme.

Calendar Events

April

Our AND Culture section present the Ards Guitar Festival. A programme of mini events and activities that celebrate guitar music locally and afar. Find out more

May

May Day starts off the events programme with the traditional Merry May Day celebrations in the wonderful boutique town of Holywood, our gateway into the borough from Belfast, Holywood District Community Council organise Merry May Day with support from Ards and North Down Borough Council.

The town centre closes its roads to make way for an on street market, food stalls, children's entertainment, live music and of course the dance performance around the May Pole, as well as the Bonny Baby compeitition and the crowning of the May Queen! Children are encouraged to dress up as their favourite characters which always makes for fantastic fun. Local school children, who practice intently in the run up, gather together to dance the traditional steps using ribbons that form a pattern on what is the islands only May Pole, accompanied by live traditional music.

June

The Sea Bangor Festival, held at the city of Bangor seafront over a weekend in June, celebrates our relationship with the sea and our maritime heritage.

Themed entertainment, children's crafts and play, on the water and off water activities, live music (normally accompanied by the chance to dance!),
displays by the RNLI and so much more make this popular event providing nothing but wholesome memories for all the family.

The location of the event serves the additional bonus of plentiful more activity close by in the centre including Pickie Funpark, just a short walk along the promenade around the marina.

Another highlight of June is the Comber Earlies Food Festival, part of our 'Taste Summer' programme. A weekend that celebrates the locally grown and worldwide famous Comber Early potato, whose claim to fame is the PGI status it holds, protected geographical indication (PGI) status, under European law. PGI status recognises the regional importance and distinctive characteristics of the Comber Early potato and means that only new season potatoes harvested from the fields of Comber and the surrounding area can be marketed as new season Comber earlies.

Celebrity chefs such as Jean-Christophe Noveli, Theo Randall and Paula McIntyre have previously joined us in our Demo Kitchen to share their recipes and tips on how to make the most of your Comber Earlies.

There is a surplus of family fun, from potatoe themed crafts, to chilren's fun fair rides, street theatre, live music, an artisan market that showcases our fabulous local makers and producers as well as tractor displays, and more!

Look out for associated events over the weekend including food tours, guided historical walking tours and more.

This festival forms part of our 'Taste summer' programme of events and markets.

August

Every August, the Open House Festival launches a month long programme of arts and culture events ranging from live music sessions, to book clubs, food tours, boat tours and Music in the Park on Sundays in local Ward Park.

In 2022, Open House opened The Court House Bangor, a venue for live music and the arts. Here you will find an all year programme, bringing people together for the best time! Find out more about Open House Festival.

Our own AND Culture produce a fantastic programme of events throughout the year too including workshops and classes, Friday Night Live sessions, theatre, children's crafts and so much more. Find out more about Culture - Ards and North Down.

September

'Taste Autumn' sees us through the end of summer and welcome in the autumn season at the end of August and into September. Tide and Turf Portavogie Food Festival serves as the flagship event to this programme of events and markets that showcase our fine food and drink. The location of this event, in Portavogie, celebrates the world class seafood that arrives to these docks, shipped over the island and afar, from the renowned 'Portavogie prawn' to fresh lobster, mussels and fish catch.

Christmas

In November, we welcome in the festive season to the borough with two council-run family fun events, in Bangor City and in Newtownards, with the Switch On events. These occur normally on the third and fourth Saturdays in the month. Join us for artisan markets, food, entertainment for the little ones and those young at heart, live music and more.

Throughout the borough, the remaining towns and villages choose to welcome in the season their own way. Look out for even more family fun dotted around Ards and North Down in November and December.

Craft workshops, Christmas markets and family shows put the additional sparkle into the festive season in our place.

Find out more about Christmas in Ards and North Down.

Tourism Grant Aided Events

We are also delighted to be supporting a number of local organisations through funding which has contributed to creating a programme of events for all in the community, visitors from inside the borough and outside.

Find out more about Grant-Aided Events.

And there's even more happening in between...

Find out what else the year has in store for you should you visit our part of the Isle, there is something for everyone!

What's on listings

Please note

This serves as a guide to a typical year of events highlights in Ards and North Down, however, details and events subject to change.

There will be a small charge for some activities at events.

Photography and videography may take place at some or all of the above events. Please be sure to inform a member of staff on site if you wish not to feature in stock imagery collected for the promotion of the borough and it's events.

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Holywood Food & Drink Tour - Cancelled

Holywood

Address

With Experience & Explore NI, Depart corner of High Street & Hibernia Street, Holywood, Down, BT18 9AB

Telephone
+44(0)7469 331 602

info@experienceandexploreni.com

Price
Price £55.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

History

Holywood Food & Drink Tour

Dates

Price
Price £55.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Serenade to Music: the Ulster Consort

Portaferry

Address

The Portico of Ards, Steel Dickson Avenue, Portaferry, County Down, BT22 1LE

Telephone
028 4272 8808

Verity@porticoards.com

Price
Price £5.00 to £20.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Concert

Serenade to Music: A Celebration of British and Irish Music
A celebration of British and Irish music with the Ulster Consort accompanied by organist Tristan Russcher and conducted by Matthew Owens.
The Ulster Consort, which made its debut with a…

Dates

Price
Price £5.00 to £20.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Micky Bartlett: THICC!

Portaferry

Address

The Portico of Ards, Portaferry, Portaferry, County Down, BT22 1LE

Telephone
028 4272 8808

verity@porticoards.com

Price
Price £16.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Comedy

After a phenomenal 2023, Micky Bartlett brings his brand new stand-up show "THICC!" to venues across the UK & Ireland this Autumn!

Dates

From:
11 Oct 2024Open 19:30 - 21:30

Price
Price £16.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Pick your Own Pumpkin Patch Event

Donaghadee

Address

Flavour First, 224 Killaughey Road, Donaghadee, County Down, BT21 0LJ

Telephone
07801 479 980

will.donnan@flavourfirst.com

Price
Price £28.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Festival

Extra pumpkins can be purchased on the day.

Dates

Price
Price £28.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Sold out - The Fureys

Portaferry

Address

The Portico of Ards, Steel Dickson Avenue, Portaferry, County Down, BT22 1LE

Telephone
028 4272 8808

verity@porticoards.com

Price
Price £27.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Concert

When The Fureys make their eagerly awaited return visit they will treat their audience to one of popular music's richest legacies.
They are one of Ireland's all-time most acclaimed and influential middle of the road, folk and traditional bands.…

Dates

Price
Price £27.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Discovery Hub: Casual Coppersmithing

Newtownards

Address

Ards Visitor Information Centre, 31 Regent Street, Newtownards, County Down, BT23 4AD

Telephone
028 9182 6846

ardsvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Type

Type:

Exhibition

Call in to Ards Visitor Information Centre to find out more local artists Caron and Matthew of Lake & Oak Coppersmithing and enjoy an exhibit of just some of their pieces, as well as information on the workshops they offer.

Dates

From:

2 May 2024to28 May 2024Various Opening Times

More Info
Kirkistown Point-to-Point Races

Portavogie

Address

Kirkistown, Portavogie, County Down, BT22 1AF

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9263 9321

info@p2p.ie

Price
Price £10.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Sport

The North County Down Hunt host three point-to-points during the season, an Autumn fixture and two Spring fixtures. Point-to-points are horse racing in its purist form and you will often hear it described as the grassroots of horse racing in Ireland…

Dates

Price
Price £10.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
The Market on the Square, Portaferry

Portaferry

Address

St Patricks Community Centre/Market Square, 49 Steel Dickson Ave/Village Centre, Portaferry, County Down, BT22 1LF

Telephone
028 4272 9598

info@portaferrymarket.com

Type

Type:

Markets / Fairs

The Market on the Square will be held in St. Patrick’s Community Centre, Steele Dickson Avenue on the first Sat of each month October – December 2022.

Dates

From:
25 May 2024
From:
6 July 2024
From:
3 Aug 2024
From:

14 Sept 2024to15 Sept 2024

From:
5 Oct 2024
From:
2 Nov 2024

More Info
Sudor Wellness Retreats at Mount Stewart

Newtownards

Address

Mount Stewart, Portaferry Road, Newtownards, County Down, BT222AD

Telephone
07834 806 420

info@sudorsauna.co.uk

Type

Type:

Workshop

Sudor Wellness, a leading wellness centre specializing in a traditional Sauna experience, alongside leading practitioners in Yoga, mindfulness, and holistic health, are offering multiple wellbeing events at the wonderful Mount Stewart estate.

Dates

From:

24 May 2024to26 May 2024Open 10:00 - 17:00

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- Car parking
- On site parking
- Parking (free)
Portaferry Wine Club: Celtic Connections

Portaferry

Address

Dumigan's Bar, 9 Ferry Street, Portaferry, Down, BT22 1JY

Telephone
07860 484 863

Masoswinenights@gmail.com

Price
Price £25.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Food & Drink

Wine tasting focused on the Irish diaspora

Dates

From:
3 June 2024Open 20:00 - 22:00

Price
Price £25.00 Per Ticket

More Info
McBrides - A Night of Craft Beer & Comedy - Comber

Comber

Address

McBrides on the Square, 1-3 The Square, Comber, County Down, BT23 5DX

Telephone
028 91313969

hello@mcbridesonthesquare.co.uk

Price
Price £20.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Food & Drink

Laughs on tap, join us for a night of laughs and great beer. Ronan Linesky will be bringing along 4 of Northern Ireland's best Comedians. Indie Füde will have the Raclette Machine melting some beautiful cheese over a plate of freshly dug Comber…

Dates

From:
28 June 2024Open 19:00 - 22:30

Price
Price £20.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Proud Mary and her City Limits band

Portaferry

Address

The Portico of Ards, Steel Dickson Avenue, Portaferry, County Down, BT22 1LE

Telephone
028 4272 8808

verity@porticoards.com

Price
Price £25.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Concert

Simply the best tribute to Tina Turner!
Amanda Lane as Tina Turner and her City Limits band are Ireland's no 1 Tribute to the Queen of Rock.

Dates

Price
Price £25.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Reginald D. Hunter

Portaferry

Address

The Portico of Ards, Steel Dickson Avenue, Portaferry, County Down, BT22 1LE

Telephone
028 4272 8808

verity@porticoards.com

Price
Price £20.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Comedy

Reginald D. Hunter: The Man Who Could See Through Shit
In these supercharged socio-political times the challenge is more and more becoming separating what's true and what's real. Lucille Hunter proudly proclaimed "It's easy to see through shit, the…

Dates

Price
Price £20.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Spring Break

Portaferry

Address

The Portico of Ards, Steel Dickson Avenue, Portaferry, County Down, BT22 1LE

Telephone
028 4272 8808

Verity@porticoards.com

Price
Price £15.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Concert

Europe's premier good-time supergroup!
The best friend a good time ever had!
Spring Break, Europe's premier good-time supergroup, are a five-piece act that have played at hundreds of venues all over Ireland, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

Dates

Price
Price £15.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Elvis Spectacular

Portaferry

Address

The Portico of Ards, Steel Dickson Avenue, Portaferry, County Down, BT22 1LE

Telephone
028 4272 8808

Verity@porticoards.com

Price
Price £20.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Concert

Fronted by European Elvis Champion Ciaran Houlihan, this fully live 8 piece band was put together BY FANS FOR FANS.
The King is back!

Dates

Price
Price £20.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
The Mighty Pumpkin Hunt

Newtownards

Address

Throughout the town, Starting from 3 Conway Square, Newtownards, Down, BT23 4DA

Telephone
07789 208 477

hello@ardschamber.com

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Halloween

Let your Munchkins find the Pumpkins! The Mighty Pumpkin Hunt.

Dates

Price
Free

More Info
The Kilkennys

Portaferry

Address

The Portico of Ards, Steel Dickson Avenue, Portaferry, County Down, BT22 1LE

Telephone
028 4272 8808

verity@porticoards.com

Price
Price £22.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Concert

A traditional Irish folk and ballad band, The Kilkennys are noted for their dynamic arrangements, energetic performances and charisma!
The band was established between schoolmates and began touring the length and breadth of Ireland in 1998. Picking…

Dates

From:
15 Sept 2024Open 15:00 - 17:00

Price
Price £22.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Elvis Spectacular

Portaferry

Address

The Portico of Ards, Steel Dickson Avenue, Portaferry, County Down, BT22 1LE

Telephone
028 4272 8808

verity@porticoards.com

Price
Price £22.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Concert

Ready to rock?

Dates

From:
3 Aug 2024Open 19:30 - 22:00

Price
Price £22.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
The Björn Identity - Sold Out

Portaferry

Address

The Portico of Ards, Steel Dickson Avenue, Portaferry, County Down, BT22 1LE

Telephone
028 4272 8808

Verity@porticoards.com

Price
Price £15.00 to £21.50 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Concert

Any introduction required? Simply the best ABBA tribute!
As a full time, dedicated, professional tribute show, their commitment and delivery of Abba's greatest hits is unrivalled on these shores, simply, an Abba tribute band at the top of their…

Dates

Price
Price £15.00 to £21.50 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Chocolate Lovers Afternoon Tea & Movie

Crawfordsburn, Bangor

Address

The Old Inn, 15-25 Main Street, Crawfordsburn, Bangor, Co Down, BT19 1JH

Telephone
+44 28 91853255

reservations@theoldinn.com

Price
Price £15.00 to £39.50 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Food & Drink

Chocolate Lovers Afternoon Tea and private screen of Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory

Dates

Price
Price £15.00 to £39.50 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking