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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: 622

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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
Spindrift Donaghadee

Donaghadee

Address

4 Killaughey Mews, Donaghadee, Co Down, BT21 0FX

Telephone
+44 (0) 7872 917077

driftwood.donaghadee@gmail.com

Type

Type:

Self-Catering

Bright and spacious centrally located townhouse in a quiet, peaceful location. Spindrift is handy to all amenities Donaghadee has to offer. It is also ideally situated for exploring the many nearby attractions such as Exploris, The Ulster Folk and…

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
Barnwell Farm Cottages- Barley 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. Barley Cottage is a quaint country cottage suitable for 5 people.
More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Facilities

Leisure Facilities
- Wifi
2 Harbour View

Donaghadee

Address

Apt 2 Harbour View, Bow Street, Donaghadee, Co Down, BT21 0HD

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9188 3940

mac.973@btinternet.com

Type

Type:

Self-Catering

Recently refurbished to a high standard Harbour View luxury apartment offers everything required for a comfortable self catering stay. Situated in the heart of Donaghadee close to all amenities the two bed, two bath apartment is the perfect place.

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Facilities

Leisure Facilities
- Wifi
Culloden Estate and Spa

Holywood

Address

142 Bangor Road, Holywood, Co Down, BT18 0EX

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9042 1066

res@cull.hastingshotels.com
Gradings
- Five Star Quality Assurance
Type

Type:

Hotel

Standing high on the wooded slopes of the Holywood hills, overlooking Belfast Lough and the Co. Antrim coastline, is the magnificent Culloden Estate and Spa, one of the most prestigious 5 star hotels in Northern Ireland.
Special Offers
- Midweek Serenity & Dine Retreat - County Down
  From £495 per room per night based on 2 sharing
  Escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life with a Midweek Spa & Dine Retreat at the prestigious Culloden Estate & Spa. Relax in an oasis of tranquility at the Spa with a luxurious treatment for two and, in the evening, stroll through the Culloden Estate gardens down the path to the Cultra Inn for a 3 course dinner.
  Book now
  More offers like this - Hotel Offers
- Signature Style
  From £295 per room
  Leave the everyday behind and whisk yourself away to the Culloden Estate & Spa for a stay brimming with style and timeless elegance. Enjoy a signature cocktail of your choice in the Lough Bar, where you can toast to a night away steeped in splendour and comfort. Settle into your room for some restful respite, and as morning beckons, awaken to a freshly prepared breakfast.
  Book Now
  More offers like this - Hotel Offers
- Gourmet Escape
  From £370 per room
  Escape to a world of refined elegance and culinary excellence at the Culloden Estate & Spa. Savour a two-course evening meal at Vespers restaurant, where every dish is expertly crafted with the finest ingredients, paired with a complimentary glass of wine. Retire to your beautifully appointed room and unwind in ultimate comfort, awakening to the promise of another delightful culinary experience with a freshly prepared breakfast.
  Book Now
  More offers like this - Hotel Offers
More Info
Facilities

Leisure Facilities
- Gym On Premises
Facilities

Catering
- Licensed
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Facilities

Catering
- Restaurant on Premises
Facilities

Leisure Facilities
- Indoor pool
- Swimming Pool On Premises
Facilities

Room / Unit Features
- TV In Bedrooms
Facilities

Leisure Facilities
- Wifi
Donaghadee - Harbour & Lighthouse

Donaghadee

Address

The Harbour, Donaghadee, County Down, BT21 0HF

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9182 6846

ardsvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Type

Type:

Lighthouse

Donaghadee lies on the Irish Sea coast and as such is popular with water enthusiasts, anglers and those who simply like to be beside the seaside.

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Ardminnan Golf Club

Portaferry

Address

15 Ardminnan Road, Portaferry, County Down, BT22 1QJ

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4277 1321

info@ardminnan.com

Type

Type:

Parkland Golf Course

Situated in a scenic spot overlooking the Irish Sea and five minutes from both Portaferry and Kircubbin, this nine hole treat is perfect for starting a day’s touring with a quick round featuring water hazards, challenging holes and other parkland.

More Info
Facilities

Catering
- Restaurant on site
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’.

More Info
Downshire Cottage

Holywood

Address

27 Downshire Road, Holywood, Co Down, BT18 9LX

downshirecottage@outlook.com

Type

Type:

Self-Catering

Downshire Cottage is a charming red bricked terrace house located in the heart of Holywood town centre. It was originally built as a labour's cottage for people working at Belfast Docks, however it has been extended and modernised.

More Info
The Old Post Office Tea Rooms - Pantry - Gift Shop

Newtownards

Address

191 Killinchy Road, Comber, Newtownards, County Down, BT23 6AA

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9754 3335

info@opocafe.co.uk

Type

Type:

Café

Opened in 2004 The Old Post Office Tea Rooms are situated on the picturesque shores of Strangford Lough in the village of Lisbane, County Down, between Comber and Downpatrick. This grade B listed thatched building dates back to the 1840s.

More Info
WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre

Comber

Address

Castle Espie, 78 Ballydrain Road, Comber, County Down, BT23 6EA

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9187 4146

info.castleespie@wwt.org.uk
Gradings
- Four Star Quality Assurance
Type

Type:

Nature and Wildlife

WWT Castle Espie is an extraordinary day out for the whole family. Escape the everyday, reconnect with nature, and experience the wonder of wetlands on the picturesque shores of Strangford Lough.
Visit Castle Espie all year round and discover new…
More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- Parking (free)
Facilities

Leisure Facilities
- Wifi
Establishment Features
- Wi-fi available
Courtyard Cottage

Bangor

Address

212B Crawfordsburn Road, Crawfordsburn, Bangor, Co. Down, BT19 1HY

info@courtyardcottage.ie

Type

Type:

Bed & Breakfast

Nestled near the centre of the quaint and historic County Down village of Crawfordsburn, Courtyard Cottage offers comfortable en-suite accommodation in a beautifully extended cottage, fashioned from the original Crawford Estate buildings from ...

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Facilities

Room / Unit Features
- TV In Bedrooms
Facilities

Leisure Facilities
- Wifi
The Ark Open Farm

Newtownards

Address

296 Bangor Road, Newtownards, County Down, BT23 7PH

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9182 0445

info@thearkopenfarm.co.uk

Type

Type:

Open Farm

The Ark Open Farm is a fantastic family day out; the farm itself is set in 40 acres of beautiful countryside between Newtownards and Bangor. It’s home to a huge selection of farm animals and some that are a little more exotic.

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Facilities

Leisure Facilities
- Wifi
Le Winters Bistro

Newtownards

Address

92 Church Street, Newtownards, County Down, BT23 4AL

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9181 4141

info@strangfordhotel.com

Type

Type:

Restaurant

Located at the tip of Strangford Lough and the heart of Co.Down, LeWinters has an established reputation throughout Northern Ireland as a popular eatery with an extensive menu of freshly prepared local, traditional and modern cuisine. 5* FSA rating.

More Info
Arco String Quartet

West Street, Bangor

Address

Bangor Castle (City Hall), Castle Park Road, West Street, Bangor, County Down, BT20 4TF

Telephone
028 9181 0803

arts@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Price
Price from: £15.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Christmas Events

Get into the Festive spirit with a night of Christmas classics, originals and the odd carol all performed by Arco String Quartet and a guest vocalist.

Dates

From:
7 Dec 2024Open 20:00 - 21:00

Price
Price from: £15.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
1 Ardmore Terrace

Holywood

Address

Flat 1, 1 Ardmore Terrace, Ballykeel, Holywood, Co Down, BT18 9BH

Telephone
+44 (0) 7979 371 404

drjkeenan07@googlemail.com

Type

Type:

Self-Catering

Self-Catering apartment situated conveniently on the ground floor. Guests have access to the entire apartment including a beautiful private enclosed courtyard.

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Facilities

Leisure Facilities
- Wifi
Holywood Golf Club

Holywood

Address

Demesne Road, Holywood, County Down, BT18 9LE

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9042 3135

mail@holywoodgolfclub.co.uk

Type

Type:

Parkland Golf Course

Set high in the Holywood Hills, County Down we are just seven miles outside Belfast and have breathtaking views of Belfast Lough and the Antrim Coast. Visit the home course of world golf star Rory McIlroy. Get a photo taken with the major trophies.

More Info
Facilities

Catering
- Restaurant on site
Homegrown

Newtownards

Address

66B East Street, Newtownards, County Down, BT23 7DD

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9181 8318

homegrown.ni@btconnect.com

Type

Type:

Delis, Food Markets and Farm Shops

Homegrown is a family run business, who have a real zest for local produce and who come from a farming background.

More Info
Oscars by the Sea

Bangor

Address

18 Seacliff Road, Bangor, Co Down, BT20 5EY

Telephone
+44 (0) 7576 606 116

oscarsbythesea@gmail.com

Type

Type:

Self-Catering

A beautiful, spacious Victorian townhouse, completely renovated which sleeps 12. Lovingly restored, maintaining many of its original features. Breath-taking sea views. 6 bedrooms, all beautifully furnished.

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Facilities

Leisure Facilities
- Wifi