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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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Making Christmas: Rag Wreaths

Holywood

Address

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

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9042 8428

info@nationalmuseumsni.org

Price
Price from: £45.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Christmas Events

*SOLD OUT* Make a Christmas wreath at the Ulster Folk Museum using sustainable rag materials that you can bring home and use for years to come!

Dates

From:
1 Dec 2024Open 13:30 - 16:00

Price
Price from: £45.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Strangford Lough Viking Festival - Viking Art and Tattooing Talk 2pm

Portaferry

Address

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

Telephone
028 9182 6846

Type

Type:

Talks/Lectures

World-famous Celtic and Nordic artist, musician and tattooist Sean Parry, will talk about his work.

Dates

More Info
Autumn Foraging

Holywood

Address

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

Telephone
+442890428428

info@nationalmuseumsni.org

Price
Price from: £30.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Nature

An Autumn foraging workshop and walk around with food expert Clare McQuillan at the Ulster Folk Museum

Dates

Price
Price from: £30.00 Per Ticket

More Info
The Stables Groomsport

Groomsport, Bangor

Address

1B Donaghadee Road, Groomsport, Bangor, County Down, BT19 6LG

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9146 1456

info@thestablesgroomsport.com

Type

Type:

Restaurant

The Stables in Groomsport has evolved into one of Northern Ireland’s most renowned gastro bar restaurants along the North Down coast. After a six-month refurbishment, in February 2024 the Carmichael family were thrilled to reopen our doors, inviting…

More Info
Facilities

Catering
- Licensed
Facilities

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

Leisure Facilities
- Wifi
Establishment Features
- Wi-fi available
LUX Beginners Jewellery Making Workshop

Holywood

Address

Holywood, County Down, BT180NJ

Telephone
+44 (0) 7879 698 286

ruth@nisilver.com

Type

Type:

Workshop

LUX Beginners Jewellery Making Workshops in our Holywood Northern Ireland working Goldsmiths studio. No experience is required for this fun and relaxing experience, so come with friends or by yourself for some quality 'me time'. Challenge…

Dates

From:
25 Nov 2024Open 10:00 - 14:00
From:
3 Dec 2024Open 10:00 - 14:00
From:
4 Jan 2025
From:
7 Jan 2025Open 10:00 - 14:00
From:
9 Jan 2025
From:
15 Jan 2025
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20 Jan 2025
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23 Jan 2025
From:
28 Jan 2025Open 10:00 - 14:00
From:
30 Jan 2025

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking - Parking Free on public pavement between two drives. Please do not park outside neighbours properties or on our private drive as this needs to be kept clear at all times. Thanks
The Little Birdhouse

Newtownards

Address

16 Main Street, Greyabbey, Newtownards, Co Down, BT22 2NE

Telephone
+44 7891 039234

phmmcloughlin@gmail.com
Gradings
- Five Star Quality Assurance
Type

Type:

Self-Catering

A traditional two-story, one-bedroomed stone cottage on Main Street, Greyabbey. The cottage has a large private garden at the back with seating areas and a barbecue and picnic table. While it has been extensively renovated, the Little Birdhouse…
More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- Parking (free) - There is limited on-street parking as well as free parking in two car parks close by, one on Main Street beside the school and the other round the corner, just past Orange Tree House
Facilities

Leisure Facilities
- Wifi
St Patrick's Day at the Ulster Folk Museum

Holywood

Address

153 Bangor Road, Cultra, Holywood, County Down, BT18 0EU

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9042 8428

info@nationalmuseumsni.org

Price
Price from: £7.00 to £32.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Family Fun

Join our traditional St Patrick's Day celebrations on 17th March and 18th March

Dates

Price
Price from: £7.00 to £32.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Autumn Equinox: Film Screening with Live Score from Róis

Holywood

Address

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

Telephone
+44 (0)28 9042 8428

info@nationalmuseumsni.org

Price
Price from: £12.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Cinema / Film

Celebrate the Autumn Equinox with an evening screening of a specially commissioned archive film alongside a live score from Róis on Saturday 21st September.

Dates

Price
Price from: £12.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Behind the Scenes: Library and Archives

Holywood

Address

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

Telephone
+442890428428

info@nationalmuseumsni.org

Price
Price from: £11.50 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Tour

Discover beautiful books, manuscripts, diaries and first-hand records in this special guided tour from our Library & Archives Manager.

Dates

Price
Price from: £11.50 Per Ticket

More Info
Ballywalter Beach House

Newtownards

Address

18 Main Street, Ballywalter, Newtownards, Co Down, BT22 2PG

Telephone
+44 (0) 7773 995 346

Julieannneill@outlook.com

Type

Type:

Self-Catering

Welcome to Ballywalter Beach House where everything you need is at your finger tips. Located in the heart of Ballywalter, right at the seafront, the property has everything required for a fun filled, action packed family holiday.

More Info
Facilities

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

Leisure Facilities
- Wifi
Bat Night *SOLD OUT*

Comber

Address

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

Telephone
028 9187 4146

info.castleespie@wwt.org.uk

Price
Price from: £14.50 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Nature

At a special late-night opening, discover fascinating bat facts in an expert talk. Then, go bat detecting out on the reserve to see the amazing flying mammals and their astonishing aerial acrobatics for yourself!

Dates

Price
Price from: £14.50 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Seal Bay Cottage

Newtownards

Address

Ballywalter Road, 4 Ballyhaskin Cottages, Millisle, Newtownards, Co Down, BT22 2JP

Telephone
+44 (0) 7977 414 404

Paul@yogen.co

Type

Type:

Self-Catering

Fully renovated in 2020/21, our aim was to deliver the comforts of modern living but as a beach house, it's all about getting outdoors and enjoying the large garden, quiet beach and of course a base to experience the beautiful Ards peninsula.

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Dogs Welcome Inside
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Facilities

Leisure Facilities
- Wifi
Strangford Lough Viking Festival - Viking Feast with Storytelling & Music

Strangford

Address

The Old Court, Strangford, County Down, BT30 7NB

Telephone
+44 (0) 33 0137 4046

events@lakesvikings.com

Price
Price from: £45.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Food & Drink

The Venue is in an outstandingly beautiful location on the shores of Strangford Lough, and it will host the Viking Feast on the opening night of the festival. Music played on reconstructed medieval instruments and vocal arrangements from a trio of…

Dates

Price
Price from: £45.00 Per Ticket

More Info
29 The Meadows

Donaghadee

Address

29 The Meadows, Donaghadee, Co Down, BT21 0JG

Telephone
+ 353 89 204 2672

z.barazenda1@gmail.com

Type

Type:

Self-Catering

Large family vacation home located in the seaside town of Donaghadee. The house is two minutes away from the Donaghadee golf club, 15 minutes to Bangor, 1.5 hour to Giant's Causeway, 40 minutes to Belfast international Airport and 39 minutes from…

More Info
Facilities

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

Leisure Facilities
- Wifi
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
58 Seacliff Road Bangor

Bangor

Address

58-60 Seacliff Road, Bangor, Co Down, BT20 5EZ

Telephone
07732627200

superiorshortstays@hotmail.com

Type

Type:

Self-Catering

Luxury 4-bedroom house with magnificent sea views over Belfast Lough. Situated on Seacliff Road close to Bangor city centre, the Marina and Ballyholme.

More Info
Temple of the Winds - Winter Solstice Sound Spa Retreat

Newtownards

Address

Mount Stewart House and Gardens, Portaferry Road, Newtownards, County Down, BT22 2AD

Telephone
+44 (0) 7792 925 128

info@thesoundhealingspa.com

Type

Type:

Workshop

Join Tessa Ann from The Sound Healing Spa for this Winter Solstice retreat and workshop. Immerse yourself in the magical energy of Mount Stewart’s Temple of the Winds as Tessa delivers a beautiful sound healing experience and workshop.

Dates

From:
21 Dec 2024Open 11:00 - 14:00

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Wee Critters at Castle Espie

Comber

Address

WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre, 78 Ballydrain Road, Comber, Down, BT23 6EA

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9187 4146

info.castleespie@wwt.org.uk

Type

Type:

Family Fun

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…

Dates

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Island Hill & North Strangford Nature Reserve

Address

County Down

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

Accessible at low-tide, this walk around Rough Island provides magnificent views of Strangford Lough and is an excellent view point for bird watching.

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Strangford Lough Viking Festival - Coppersmithing Workshop With Lake and Oak, Sat 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