Family Favourite, Sea Bangor, Returns to the Seafront

24th May 2023

Bangor Seafront will be a hive of activity when the Sea Bangor Festival returns on Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 June.

Organised by Ards and North Down Borough Council, with support from South Eastern Regional College (SERC) and Bangor Marina, thousands of visitors from the Borough and beyond are expected to descend on the seaside city over the two days in what will be one of Bangor’s busiest weekends of the year!

The popular maritime festival will open from 12noon until 6pm on both days, with a host of entertainment and activities for all the family, including an exciting visit by the Artemis eFoiler, HMS Penzance and HMS Raider!

The 12-metre Artemis eFoiler is the world’s first high-speed, fully electric foiling commercial vessel. Plans are in place for the vessel to operate a pilot service between Bangor and Belfast next year and this is an early opportunity for the public to see it in action on Bangor’s shores. On-the-water demonstrations are scheduled to take place at 1.30pm and 3.30pm on the Saturday and Sunday, with the best viewing opportunities available from the Seacliff Road.

Also on the water and available for viewing will be a Sandown-class Royal Navy minehunter vessel, HMS Penzance. After it docks at Eisenhower Pier, members of the public will have the opportunity to climb aboard for self-guided tours between 12noon and 4pm on the Saturday, providing a closer look at a vessel that is used to survey shipping routes and clear the way for military operations. Pre-booking is essential.

HMS Raider, a small patrol boat from Scotland, will be moored beside HMS Penzance. HMS Raider is one of two Archer-class patrol boats that form the Faslane Patrol Boat Squadron. Together with her sister ship, HMS Tracker, she provides reassurance and protection in and around HM Naval Base Clyde.

Keeping with the maritime theme, there will be lots more activities on the water too. E-Foiling demos will show how an electric powered surfboard on a hydrofoil wing can lift almost one metre out of the water. There will also be plenty of ‘have a go’ sessions as well, with free paddleboarding and kayaking taster sessions at Eisenhower Pier that can be pre-booked, plus the return of the popular rowing competition where local teams will compete for the top prize.

Back on dry land, Quay Street car park will take on a distinct holiday atmosphere with the return of the Urban Beach, funfair rides and outside bar. Families will be able to enjoy a seaside ‘rave’ and then relax before heading to the pier for some delicious food demos, hot food trucks, seasonal bar, and the popular on-water activities.

Helping everyone get around will be a free land train that will operate from the McKee Clock to Pickie Fun Park throughout the weekend. Make sure you don’t miss out on all the fun and visit Bangor Seafront on 3 and 4 June from 12noon to 6pm!

For more information, including details on how to book free ‘have a go’ sessions and self-guided tours on HMS Penzance, go to visitardsandnorthdown.com/seabangor.