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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.

Number of results: 864

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Amy's

Bangor

Address

11 Godfrey Avenue, Ballyholme, Bangor, Co Down, BT20 5LS

Telephone
+44 (0) 12 8482 9123

amys@serius.co.uk

Type

Type:

Self-Catering

Amy's accommodates up to four adults plus a child. It offers an ideal base for a holiday, being only 150 metres from the beach at Ballyholme, from where there are wonderful views across Belfast Lough as far as the Mull of Kintyre.

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Facilities

Leisure Facilities
- Wifi
Kirkistown Motor Racing Circuit

Newtownards

Address

130 Rubane Road, Kircubbin, Newtownards, County Down, BT22 1AU

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4277 1325

info@kirkistown.com

Type

Type:

Motor Sports and Karting

Kirkistown Motor Racing Circuit offers the opportunity of a lifetime, to have a driving experience in a Formula Ford Single Seater Racing Car.

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
The Echlinville Distillery Tour & Tipple - Kircubbin

Kircubbin

Address

The Echlinville Distillery, 62 Gransha Road, Kircubbin, County Down, BT22 1AJ

Telephone
028 4273 8597

info@echlinville.com

Price
Price £23.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Food & Drink

Experience Excellence with a tour and tasting at The Echlinville Distillery, home of some of Ireland's best known whiskeys, gins and poitín.

Dates

Price
Price £23.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Environmental Storytelling

Bangor

Address

Bangor Castle Walled Garden, 6 Valentine Road, Bangor, Down, BT20 4BN

Telephone
+44 (0)300 013 3333

andparks@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Talks/Lectures

Environmental Storyteller Janice Witherspoon will host two family storytelling events throughout Bangor's Castle Park and Walled Garden to celebrate Love Parks Week (28 July to 6 August).

Dates

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Barnwell Farm Cottages- Whin Cottage

Greyabbey

Address

8 Ballybryan Road, Greyabbey, Co Down, BT22 2RB

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4278 8488

info@barnwellfarmcottages.co.uk
Gradings
- Four Star Quality Assurance
Type

Type:

Self-Catering

1 of a group of 7 cottages that can accommodate parties of up to 34 people.
Whin Cottage was developed in single storey format. Whin is bright, cheery and welcoming, a reminder of the atmosphere in the original Brooks farm kitchen which forms part…
More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Facilities

Leisure Facilities
- Wifi
Mahee Castle

Comber

Address

Mahee Island, Ringneill Road, Comber, County Down, BT23 6EP

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9082 3207

scmenquiries@communities-ni.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Castle / Fort

This ruined Tower House commands a position at the north end of Mahee Island in Strangford Lough. The house was built in 1570 by an English soldier called Captain Browne. Today, it is badly ruined but still of considerable interest.

Price
Free

More Info
Kearney Village

Portaferry

Address

Kearney Road, Portaferry, County Down, BT22 1QP

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4278 8387

strangford@nationaltrust.org.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

The National Trust

Owned by the National Trust, it is a picturesque 18th century fishing village with scenic coastal walks. There is an abundance of wildlife to be seen. A small visitor centre is open from dawn to dusk, as are the public toilets and car park.

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
A Taste of Italy at Maxemoo - Millisle

Millisle

Address

Maxemoo Cafe, 33 Main Street, Millisle, Down, BT222BL

Telephone
028 9186 2853

Enquiries@maxemoo.co.uk

Price
Price £23.95 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Food & Drink

Indulge in a taste of Italy at Maxemoo Cafe's Pop-Up Italian Night! Join us for an unforgettable culinary journey featuring authentic Italian flavors and ambiance.

Dates

Price
Price £23.95 Per Ticket

More Info
38 Main Street

Newtownards

Address

38 Main Street, Greyabbey, Newtownards, Co Down, BT22 2NG

Telephone
+44 (0) 7738323813

boyd@greyabbey.com

Type

Type:

Self-Catering

Family-run fully renovated and modernised mid-terrace house, originally built in the early 1800s and is typical of an Irish '2up 2down' of the period. Situated in a historic village in an area of outstanding natural beauty, the property has been ...

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Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Dogs Welcome Inside
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Facilities

Leisure Facilities
- Wifi
Wolf & Devour Street Kitchen

Bangor

Address

Bangor, Co Down, BT20 4JY

info@wolfanddevour.com

Type

Type:

Street Food

Wolf & Devour is one of Northern Ireland’s most established and stylish Street Food trucks. Stylishly kitted out, it serves only the best local produce we can get our hands on. Run by a team of young enthusiastic ‘foodies’.

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Ballywalter Beach

Ballywalter

Address

Springvale Road, Ballywalter, County Down, BT22 2PE

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9182 6846

ardsvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Beach

A long sandy beach which offers enjoyment for all.

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Comber Courtyard Apartment

Newtownards

Address

5B High Street, Comber, Newtownards, Co Down, BT23 5HJ

Telephone
+44 (0) 7767 393 322

info@combercourtyard.com

Type

Type:

Self-Catering

Bright, attractive, sympathetically renovated, first floor apartment within an early Victorian street house, just off the central square in Comber. Accessed through a stonewall archway and small open courtyard.

More Info
Bangor Seafront

Bangor

Address

Bangor Seafront, Bangor, County Down, BT20 5ED

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9127 0069

bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Type

Type:

Marinas

Picturesque promenade, leading from town centre to coastal path, past the prestigious marina. Sites include historic McKee Clock, Bregenz House the Headquarters of HM Coastguard, and Pickie Funpark.

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Comber Farmers Market

Comber

Address

Comber Farmers Market, St Mary's Parish Church, Comber, County Down, BT23 5DU

Telephone
+44 (0) 7872 857 912

c-f-m@hotmail.com

Type

Type:

Delis, Food Markets and Farm Shops

There are over 24 regular traders selling artisan food and plants. The range includes breads, cheeses, vegetables, fruit, cakes, tarts, eggs, olives, jams, chutneys, fish, dry cured bacon, sausages, flowers, chocolate, sauces, and oils.

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Little Wing Pizzeria, Bangor

Bangor

Address

37-39 Main Street, Bangor, County Down, BT20 5AF

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9147 2777

info@littlewingpizzeria.com

Type

Type:

Restaurant

At Little Wing our passion for pizza shines through! We tirelessly search for the finest fresh ingredients which we cook using time honoured methods in our traditional Wood Stone oven, all served in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

More Info
Avoca Farm

Holywood

Address

42A Ballymiscaw Road, Holywood, Co Down, BT18 9RR

Telephone
+44 (0) 7710 338 648

alisonmladek@yahoo.co.uk
Gradings
- Four Star Quality Assurance
Type

Type:

Self-Catering

Well off the beaten track, but close to Holywood, Belfast and the County Down hinterland, Avoca Farm is the perfect location for exploring the attraction of Northern Ireland from the Giants Causeway to the Mountains of Mourne
More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Dogs Welcome Inside
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Facilities

Leisure Facilities
- Wifi
Sip and Solder: A Coppersmithing Workshop with Lake and Oak - Millisle

218A Abbey Road, Millisle

Address

Lake & Oak Coppersmithing Studio, Beside Eden Pottery, 218A Abbey Road, Millisle, County Down, BT22 2DH

Telephone
07926 121 282

lakeandoak@outlook.com

Price
Price £90.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Workshop

Create your own copper cup at Lake & Oak Coppersmithing's Sip and Solder workshop. No experience needed - just bring your enthusiasm! Sign up now for a fun and creative experience with complimentary coffee, tea, and treats.

Dates

Price
Price £90.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Newtownards Twelfth 2024

Newtownards

Address

Mary Street Orange Hall, Newtownards, County Down, BT23 4DQ

Telephone
028 9070 1122

coleen@goli.org.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Festival

The 18 demonstrations on Friday, 12 July 2024, will be held in:
Newtownstewart, Benburb, Ballygawley, Newtownards, Ballynahinch, Annalong, Gilford, Ballymena, Broughshane, Carrickfergus, Cloughmills, Derriaghy, Ahoghill, Belfast, Killylea, City of…

Dates

Price
Free

More Info
Ards Town Centre Criterium Races

Newtownards

Address

Conway Square and Ards Arts Centre (the old Town Hall), Newtownards, County Down, BT23 4AA

Telephone
07773 046 946

ardscyclingclub@yahoo.com

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Sport

Ards Town Centre Criterium Races

Dates

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Welig Heritage Crafts - Willow Sculpture

Newtownards

Address

63 Cloughey Road, Nunsbridge, Newtownards, County Down, BT22 1NH

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4277 1542

clivelyttle@btinternet.com

Type

Type:

Craft Workshops and courses

Welig Heritage Crafts produce traditional willow basketry, bespoke baskets and sculptural pieces; gardenware, living willow installations and rustic furniture. we also undertake other traditional countryside skills like chair seating and drystone.

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking