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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: 603

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The Seashore

Newtownards

Address

17 Ballyrolly Cottages, Millisle, Newtownards, Co Down, BT22 2FE

Telephone
+44 (0) 7751527317

Edel.haugh1@gmail.com

Type

Type:

Self-Catering

Modern 2 bedroom apartment located at Ballyrolly Cottages, Millisle, with stunning seaviews as the property is directly beside the beach.

More Info
Facilities

Room / Unit Features
- TV In Bedrooms
Facilities

Leisure Facilities
- Wifi
Shore Road

Newtownards

Address

50 Shore Road, Ballyhalbert, Newtownards, Co Down, BT22 1BJ

Telephone
+44 (0) 7789 787698

gil.mcc@hotmail.co.uk

Type

Type:

Self-Catering

Relax and unwind by the sea in a beautiful home that is Shore Road. Perfect location to explore or chill whichever you choose, Close to many activities as well as easy bus access to Belfast.

Dates

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
- Parking (free)
Facilities

Leisure Facilities
- Wifi
Annie D's

Newtownards

Address

22 Vestry Road, Ballygowan, Granny Flat, Newtownards, Co Down, BT23 6HJ

Telephone
+44 (0) 7308 850553

Nolene_mcgrath@yahoo.com

Type

Type:

Guest Accommodation

We are located in a gorgeous rural setting but are also just ten miles away from the centre of Belfast. At Annie D's you can enjoy the peace and quiet of country living but you’re also less than 20 minutes away from the hustle and bustle of the city…

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Dogs Welcome Inside
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
- Parking (charge) - We can provide charging for electric/hybrid vehicles. Cost is the amount of electric used plus service charge. Please notify us when you are going to charge your vehicle so that we can ensure you are correctly charged
- Parking (free)
Facilities

Leisure Facilities
- Wifi
Jewellery Making Experience with NI Silver

Holywood

Address

Holywood, County Down

Telephone
+44 (0)7879 698 286

ruth@nisilver.com

Price
Price from: £90.00 Activity

Type

Type:

Craft Workshops and courses

Based in Holywood, County Down, NI Silver welcomes you to connect with a centuries-old tradition, through which you'll learn a new skill whilst creating your own unique piece of jewellery.

Dates

From:
12 Nov 2024Open 10:00 - 14:00
From:
13 Nov 2024Open 10:00 - 14:00
From:
18 Nov 2024Open 10:00 - 14:00
From:
19 Nov 2024Open 10:00 - 14:00
From:
25 Nov 2024Open 10:00 - 14:00
From:
3 Dec 2024Open 10:00 - 14:00

Price
Price from: £90.00 Activity

More Info
World Book Day Storytelling Sessions - Mount Stewart

Newtownards

Address

Mount Stewart - National Trust, Portaferry Road, Newtownards, County Down, BT22 2AD

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4278 8387

sunniva.mcdowell@nationaltrust.org.uk

Price
Price from: £6.50 to £32.50 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Family Fun

Celebrate World Book Day on Saturday 9th March with interactive storytelling sessions and a story inspired trail around the lake. Perfect for: For families with children ages 5-11, but younger children are welcome too.

Dates

Price
Price from: £6.50 to £32.50 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- Car parking
Strangford Lough Viking Festival - Mead Making Workshop

Strangford

Address

Strangford Castle, Castle Street, Strangford, County Down, BT30 7NE

magnusvikings@gmail.com

Price
Price from: £30.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Food & Drink

Each person will leave with a 5L container of their own mead and full instructions.

Dates

Price
Price from: £30.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Strangford Lough Ferry

Strangford

Address

1 The Slip, Strangford, County Down, BT30 7NE

Telephone
+44 (0) 300 200 7898

Strangfordferry@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk

Type

Type:

Boats & Ferries

***Temporary Suspension of Normal Ferry Service **** Essential health and safety work will be carried out at slipways in Portaferry and Strangford, 14 October 2024 and last for 5 weeks. Alternative arrangements intended for passengers include a…

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Strangford Lough Viking Festival - Coppersmithing Workshop With Lake and Oak, Sun 2pm

(on the green area after Exploris), Portaferry

Address

The Viking Encampment, The Ropewalk, off Castle Street, (on the green area after Exploris), Portaferry, County Down, BT22 1NZ

Telephone
028 9182 6846

Price
Price from: £20.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Workshop

Make your own leaf pendant, Viking brooch or a cuff.

Dates

Price
Price from: £20.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Burgers, Beer & Spirits at The Echlinville Distillery

Kircubbin

Address

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

Telephone
+44 (0)28 4273 8597

info@echlinville.com

Price
Price from: £55.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Food & Drink

Enjoy a guided tour of Echlinville Distillery and an afternoon of the finest local food and drinks with gourmet burgers by Ballyboley Dexters, craft beer by Modest Beer and our premium whiskeys and gins

Dates

Price
Price from: £55.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
National Lottery Heritage Open Weekend at Ulster Folk Museum

Holywood

Address

Ulster Folk Museum, 153 Bangor Road, Cultra, Holywood, County Antrim, BT180EU

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9042 8428

info@nationalmuseumsni.org

Type

Type:

History

As part of National Lottery Open Week, free entry to Ulster Folk Museum on 9th and 10th March.

Dates

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Victoria Road

Newtownards

Address

A2B Victoria Road, Newtownards, Co Down, BT23 7EE

Telephone
+44 (0) 7809 736718

moyamce@googlemail.com

Type

Type:

Self-Catering

More Info
Strangford Lough Viking Festival - Jewellery Workshop Strangford

Strangford

Address

Strangford Castle, Castle Street, Strangford, County Down, BT30 7NE

Telephone
+44 (0) 33 0137 4046

events@lakesvikings.com

Price
Price from: £20.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Workshop

Each person will leave with either a solid silver pendant or ring they have made.

Dates

Price
Price from: £20.00 Per Ticket

More Info
The Studio Helen’s Bay

Bangor

Address

6A Church Road, Helen's Bay, Bangor, Co Down, BT19 1TP

Telephone
+44 (0) 7731 301168

thestudiohelensbay@gmail.com

Type

Type:

Guest Accommodation

The Studio Helen’s Bay is a newly refurbished private cottage located just 5 minutes walk from the sea in the picturesque village of Helen’s Bay, making it the perfect coastal getaway for couples and young families. We are conveniently placed with…
Special Offers
- Get Cosy this Autumn
  From £140 per night
  With every two night weekend stay this Autumn at The Studio Helen’s Bay, we are offering a delicious Smores Toasting Kit from The Mallow Makers. The perfect excuse to spend a cosy night in by the fire. Quote 'Mallows' when booking.
  Book Now
  More offers like this - B&B and Guest House Offers
More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- Parking (free) - Free on street parking
Facilities

Leisure Facilities
- Wifi
Coast Guards Cottage Annex

Newtownards

Address

39A Manse Road, Cloghy, Newtownards, Co Down, BT22 1HS

Telephone
+44 (0) 7966764906

Steenmagill@hotmail.com

Type

Type:

Guest Accommodation

More Info
Ultimate SUP NI

Donaghadee

Address

114 Killaughey Road, Donaghadee, County Down, BT21 0BE

Telephone
+44 (0) 7717 777 995

ultimatesupni@gmail.com

Type

Type:

Canoeing

Ultimate SUP NI provides efoiling lessons and experiences along side its very popular Paddle Boarding (SUP) school.

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- Car parking
- On site parking
- Parking (free)
Country Skills Day

Holywood

Address

Ulster Folk Museum, 153 Bangor Road, Cultra, Holywood, County Down, BT18 0EU

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9042 8428

info@nationalmuseumsni.org

Price
Price from: £11.50 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Culture & Heritage

Come along to Country Skills Day on Saturday 27th April as we celebrate and honour local heritage skills and show why they're still important today.

Dates

Price
Price from: £11.50 Per Ticket

More Info
Strangford Lough Viking Festival - Viking Tented Village Strangford

Strangford

Address

The Green, Strangford, County Down, BT30 7ND

Telephone
+44 (0) 33 0137 4046

events@lakesvikings.com

Type

Type:

History

Viking reenactors will be in Strangford and will tell the shared Viking story of the two villages to visitors. Full-size replica longships will be on display and on the lough. Sailors from the Vikings TV Series will tell you about their adventures.

Dates

More Info
Strangford Lough Viking Festival - Exhibition of Children's Viking Art Portaferry

Portaferry

Address

The Stables, Castle Street, Portaferry, County Down, BT22 1NZ

Telephone
028 9182 6846

Type

Type:

Exhibition

Primary school children from the wider Strangford and Portaferry areas are being visited by some of our fierce Vikings and will make an artwork to go on display.

Dates

More Info
Textile Takeover

Holywood

Address

Ulster Folk Museum, 153 Bangor Road, Cultra, Holywood, County Down, BT18 0EU

Telephone
+44 (0)28 9042 8428

info@nationalmuseumsni.org

Price
Price from: £11.50 to £24.50 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Markets / Fairs

Shop vintage, learn skills to repair your favourite clothes and discover sustainable textiles at Textile Takeover on Saturday 12th October. We'll be joined by a range of experts, makers, designers and sellers on this exciting day of demonstrations,…

Dates

Price
Price from: £11.50 to £24.50 Per Ticket

More Info
Strangford Lough Viking Festival - Viking Age Pottery in Ireland - Part 2

Portaferry

Address

The Hub, Portaferry Sailing Club, 40 Shore Road, Portaferry, County Down, BT22 1JZ

Telephone
028 9182 6846

Type

Type:

Talks/Lectures

An archaeologist, specialising in ceramics from the neolithic to the Viking era, will talk about construction and design. This is a two part event, the first of which takes place on 25 March in Strangford. In Part 2, Jacqui will expand on the…

Dates

More Info