Make the most of your Easter 2024 break in Ards and North Down.
In this Blog, we have pulled out specific Easter themed activities happening throughout the Borough.
We appreciate that not everyone's Easter school break fall on the same dates, so for a more comprehensive list, throughout March and April, visit our dedicated What's On listings by clicking the links:
March What’s On | April What’s On
Keep an eye on this listing as we update throughout the month, please note some events may require pre-booking, and may sell out quickly, always check with the provider directly for event/ticket updates.
Easter Specific Events
In date order
Friday 22 – Saturday 30 March
Ards Chamber Easter Egg Trail
**ENTRY FORMS AVAILABLE FROM STEWART MILLER CONWAY SQUARE FROM FRIDAY 22nd MARCH 2024**
Newtownards Chamber of Trade need your help again this year! Egg’s have been dropped around Newtownards!
To be in with a chance of winning , simply visit the shops, hunt out the missing letter in their windows, complete the puzzle and submit your entry to: Ards Visitor Information Centre, 31 Regent Street between Friday 22 March and Saturday 30 March.
Friday 22 March - Sunday 7 April
Curry's Funfair at McKee Clock Arena, Bangor
Open weekends, 12noon-9pm and weekdays 2pm-9pm
Enjoy traditional seaside fun at the funfair in Bangor. Have a whirl on one of the many attractions on site - there's something to suit all ages! From Twister, to the Fun House, the Waltzer to Dodgems, Cups to Juvenile Aeroplanes, and of course, a rollercoaster!
Saturday 23 March – Wednesday 3 April
Easter Egg Hunt at National Trust-Mount Stewart House and Gardens, Newtownards
This spring, treat the whole family to a world of adventure at Mount Stewart’s Easter trail.
Make your way along the trail and find nature-inspired activities for the whole family.
Normal admission and £3 per trail which includes an Easter trail sheet, pencil, bunny ears and chocolate egg.
Saturday 23 March – Sunday 7 April
Easter Dino Days at The Ark Open Farm, Conlig
Meet the Ark's friendly walking T-rex and Velociraptor and learn about these prehistoric beasts during the meet and greet sessions!
Dino Egg Trail: Explore the farm's existing dinosaur exhibit “Jurassic Ark” and earn your yummy chocolate treat. Each child will receive their own Cadbury Easter Egg!
- Jump into the dig pit, help uncover the fossils.
- Meet the Easter Bunny in the Easter Garden
- Decorate an egg to take home.
Booking essential. See website for ticket price guide.
Friday 29 March
Easter at WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre, Comber
Join Allan the Explorer and his family of ‘Wee Critters’ at WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre this Easter.
They'll take you on a wild adventure to learn all about the amazing animals that we share our world, the threats they are facing and the ‘wee ways’ that we can all change the world!
Saturday 30 March
Eggs-cellent Easter Fun at Cockle Row Cottages, Groomsport
Hop along and meet the animals from Blackberry Farm, enjoy some tasty soadbread fresh from the griddle and burn some energy on our Egg Hunt around the seafront!
A family afternoon out by the sea and even better… it’s free!
Find out more
Saturday 30 March
Awake the Garden, Bangor Castle Walled Garden
Join us in the beautiful surrounds of Bangor Castle Walled Garden (11am-4pm) for a free family day out celebrating the 'Awakening of the Garden' this spring.
There will be food and entertainment from Circusful and the Armagh Rhymers, face painters and balloon modellers for the children, as well as garden themed demos.
Come along and welcome in the new season with us!
Find out more
Saturday 30 March
Easter Skate Special at Eddie Irvine Sports, Bangor
Skate with the Easter Bunny!
Easter eggventure quest, face painting and festive treats are in store.
Find out more
Saturday 30 March - Tuesday 2 April
The Enchanted Trail at Clandeboye Estate with MMM Creations NI
An Alice in Wonderland dressed wild forest 1.5 mile trail where kids go on a quest to find character names. Props, set design and art are along the trail and upon finishing there will be a singing and dancing Alice who will meet and greet and sing a couple of songs.
Sunday 31 March – Friday 5 April
Easter at Ulster Folk Museum, Cultra
Discover the origins of the Easter egg, have a go at our themed craft demonstrations and meet our talented makers as they demonstrate heritage skills - including Easter card making in our Print Shop.
Plus from 31st March to 2nd April, there'll be musicians playing, traditional games from years gone by and tasty food samples throughout the museum. We'll also have egg rolling at the Bleach Green on Easter Monday, 1st April!
This is a general admission event.
Find out more
Spend Easter at Exploris Aquarium, Portaferry
Enjoy discovering sea life, take a journey on the Under the Sea Experience
Find out more
Easter Sunday 31 March, Easter Monday 1 and Tuesday 2 April
Drumawhey Miniature Railway Easter Trains, Donaghadee
This is a treasure of an attraction for all ages of train enthusiasts! Tickets £3pp, U2's free.
Find out more
Easter Monday 1 April
Joe the Magician at The Portico of Ards, Portaferry
Joe is bringing his brand-new show to Portico - and it's simply magic!
All new impossible magic and illusion that will have children all ages roaring laughing one minute and in complete awe the next.
An afternoon of laugher, suspense, amazement and surprise awaits.
Tickets: Adults £15 | U18s £12
Find out more and book
Saturday 30 March and Easter Monday 1 April
Market Fresh at the Seafront
Market Fresh Artisan and variety stalls will line the promenade between Pickie Funpark and the funfair at the McKee Clock, 11am-3pm both days (Sat and Mon), plus there will be an Easter Egg Hunt and family fun to enjoy!
Monday 1 – Tuesday 2 April
Easter Trail at North Down Museum, Bangor
Calling all young explorers to North Down Museum this Easter Monday and Tuesday - Come along and enjoy our Easter Trail!
Find the clues placed around the museum's galleries to win a prize. Fun for all the family!
Afterwards, enjoy exploring nearby Castle Park with our Explorer's Packs, containing everything you'll need to learn all about the biodiversity of this beautiful space and the creatures who live there.
The packs are free to borrow for a maximum of one hour. Limited availability.
Free admission to the Museum. £1 charge for Easter Trail. No booking required.
Find out more
Spend Easter at Pickie Funpark, Bangor
Make a day of it at Pickie, a must for all families, located at the seafront a few minutes walk from the city centre, and easily accessible by public transport by arriving by train or bus into Bangor station. Have a go on the giant pedal boat swans, the disco ducks, or the Pickie Puffer, and so much more | Find out more
Markets in the Borough
We are well known for our wonderful local markets which have been a tradition for over 100 years, read more. Dotted amongst our towns and villages, some weekly, some monthly, including:
Weekly
Bangor Market: Bangor market has been a tradition for many years and the go to for local fresh produce. Situated in ASDA car park every Wednesday from 8am to 1pm
Newtownards Market is held in Conway Square, in the centre of Newtownards town, every Saturday from 8am to 3pm.
Monthly
Thursday 4 April
In Comber, the award-winning Comber Farmers' Market takes place on the first Thursday of each month from 9am - 1pm in St Mary's Church Car Park, just off Comber Square in the centre of the town. Find out more.
Saturday 6 April
In Portaferry, the Market on the Square is held on the first Saturday of the month in and around the refurbished Portaferry Market House. The Market takes place 10am to 1.30pm from April to December (Apr-Sept) and then in St. Patrick’s Community Centre, Steele Dickson Avenue (Oct – Dec). For the most up-to-date information, check their facebook page for current updates.
For more ideas of how to make the most of your time off with the kids, have a read at these blog articles...
Free Things to do in Ards and North Down
Discover more Things to do from go karting, to kayaking the lough, or how about a pottery painting?
Local providers, if you have an Easter themed event happening in the borough, please let us know about it by emailing marketing@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk.
