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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: 877

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Paddle and Soda to a Secret Island

Killinchy

Address

52A Ballyorran Road, Killinchy, County Down, BT23 6UD

Telephone
+44 (0) 7711 484 850

info@traceysfarmhousekitchen.com

Price
Price £70.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Learning

An afternoon with a difference. Paddle out to a secret Island on Strangford Lough and follow your nose. A combined soft adventure and food experience on Strangford Lough

Dates

Price
Price £70.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- Car parking
Tim McGarry's Ridiculous

Portaferry

Address

The Portico of Ards, Steel Dickson Avenue, Portaferry, County Down, BT22 1LE

Telephone
028 4272 8808

verity@porticoards.com

Price
Price £22.50 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Comedy

Tim McGarry, the lanky star of Give My Head Peace and the Blame Game has a brand-new stand-up show - Ridiculous.
Join Tim as he examines life, politics and the modern world and looks for the ludicrous, highlights the hilarious and laughs out loud…

Dates

From:
13 Dec 2024Open 19:30 - 21:30

Price
Price £22.50 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Pirate Queen - Millisle

Millisle

Address

Millisle Pirate Ship Play Park, Ballywalter Road, Millisle, County Down, BT22 2FE

Telephone
07835 783 758

Patsy@greenroomproductionsni.org.uk

Price
Price £3.50 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Theatre

Pirate Queen is the world premiere of this gorgeous site-specific production, performed on Ballywalter and Millisle Pirate Ship Playparks, retelling the seafaring adventures of Grace O'Malley or Granuaile, the 16th century historical figure.

Dates

Price
Price £3.50 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Paddy Raff: Gimme A Minute SECOND NIGHT

Portaferry

Address

The Portico of Ards, Steel Dickson Avenue, Portaferry, County Down, BT22 1LE

Telephone
028 4272 8808

verity@porticoards.com

Price
Price £17.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Comedy

He sold out VERY fast on the first night so if you want in... BE QUICK!

Dates

From:
27 Sept 2024Open 19:30 - 21:30

Price
Price £17.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Wedding Fever performed by Rosemary Drama Group

Bangor

Address

1a Studio, 1a Hamilton Road, Bangor, County Down, BT20 4JP

Telephone
+44 (0)28 91270 069

bangordramaclub@gmail.com

Price
Price £13.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Theatre

A play by Sam Cree, performed by Rosemary Drama Group
“Wedding Fever” is a much loved Sam Cree farce, focusing on the problems faced by the Galbraith family when their daughter Myra decides to get married.

Dates

Price
Price £13.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Dragaoke with Lady Portia

Portaferry

Address

The Portico of Ards, Steel Dickson Avenue, Portaferry, County Down, BT22 1LE

Telephone
028 4272 8808

verity@porticoards.com

Price
Price £10.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Concert

She's back and ready for you to get up on that stage and shine - if you dare!
Presented in association with Portaferry Gala, this is karaoke with a difference - it's hosted by the utterly fabulous Lady Portia Di' Monte!
Supported by Ards and North…

Dates

Price
Price £10.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Lurig Drama Group presents "Ottilie" by Philip Johnston

Bangor

Address

Studio 1a, 1a Hamilton Road, Bangor, County Down, BT20 4JP

Telephone
+44 (0)28 9127 0069

bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Price
Price £10.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Theatre

Ottilie Patterson, born in Comber, County Down, has been called the greatest of all British Blues singers and achieved international success singing with the Chris Barber Band. She shared the stage with many of the greats of Blues and Jazz…

Dates

Price
Price £10.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Fun and Fantastic Printing at Eden Pottery

Millise

Address

Eden Pottery, 218 Abbey Road, Millise, Down, BT22 2DH

Telephone
+44 (0)28 9186 2300

sales@edenpotteryshop.co.uk

Type

Type:

Craft

Sponge printing on handmade pottery pieces.

Dates

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Elvis Spectacular

Portaferry

Address

The Portico of Ards, Steel Dickson Avenue, Portaferry, County Down, BT22 1LE

Telephone
028 4272 8808

verity@porticoards.com

Price
Price £22.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Concert

Ready to rock?

Dates

Price
Price £22.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Easter Skate Special

Bangor

Address

Eddie Irvine Sports, 41 Balloo Road, Bangor, County Down, BT19 7PG

Telephone
028 9145 1457

info@eddieirvinesports.com

Price
Price £12.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Sport

Skate alongside the Easter Bunny at the Easter Skate Special!

Dates

Price
Price £12.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Booze & Brushes - Art On A Bottle With Mrs Maker

Donaghadee

Address

The Copeland Distillery Tour, Manor Street, Donaghadee, County Down, BT21 0HF

Telephone
+44 (0)28 9162 4000

laura@copelanddistillery.com

Price
Price £36.75 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Workshop

Booze & Brushes evening with Mrs Maker- enjoy an evening of fun at The Copeland Distillery, painting your very own bottle of Copeland Gin, while you are served a gin and tonic of your choice to sip throughout!

Dates

Price
Price £36.75 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Paddy Raff: Gimme A Minute! - Sold out

Portaferry

Address

The Portico of Ards, Steel Dickson Avenue, Portaferry, County Down, BT22 1LE

Telephone
028 4272 8808

Verity@porticoards.com

Price
Price £17.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Comedy

Award-winning Northern Irish comedy sensation Paddy Raff is back on tour taking his brand new hilarious standup show 'Gimme a Minute!' on the road in 2024.
Tickets go on sale at 10am on Friday 29 Sept.

Dates

Price
Price £17.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Tenebrae Service with Faure's Requiem

Portaferry

Address

The Portico of Ards, Steel Dickson Avenue, Portaferry, County Down, BT22 1LE

Telephone
028 4272 8808

Verity@porticoards.com

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Concert

Join the New Quay Singers for their annual Tenebrae Service for Good Friday.
This year The Newquay Singers will sing Fauré's Requiem, arguably one of the most beautiful ever written - in Fauré's own words: "Everything I managed to entertain by way…

Dates

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Valhalla Street Theatre Drama Workshops

Newtownards

Address

Palmer Memorial Hall, Mark Street, Newtownards, Co Down, BT23 4DT

Telephone
+44(0)7866 257 157

karen.todd@yahoo.co.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Workshop

Valhalla Street Theatre will be throwing open their doors and welcoming people of all abilities and ages (18 yrs +) to join them in a new programme of free drama workshops, lead by professional drama coach Chris Curry.

Dates

Price
Free

More Info
Artisan Craft Market - Greyabbey

Greyabbey

Address

Greyabbey Village Hall, 62 Newtownards Rd, Greyabbey, Co Down, BT22 2QH

Telephone
07951 220 530

artisanmarketsni@gmail.com

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Fete / Fair

Artisan Craft Market

Dates

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Duncan Irvine Art Studio: Special Christmas Viewing

Donaghadee

Address

41 Hogstown Road, Donaghadee, Down, BT21 0NH

Telephone
07752 994 043

Mgt.russell@btinternet.com

Type

Type:

Exhibition

Duncan Irvine Studio of Art. Special Christmas Viewing. No Gallery Fees. Direct from Artist to your Home.

Dates

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Merry Opera: Handel's Messiah

Portaferry

Address

The Portico of Ards, Portaferry, Portaferry, County Down, BT22 1LE

Telephone
02842728808

verity@porticoards.com

Price
Price £15.00 to £25.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Concert

A staged production of Handel's Messiah by the Merry Opera Company, featuring professional Northern Irish musicians.
Twelve professional singers play characters who experience transformation from need and despair to understanding and hope as they…

Dates

From:
7 Dec 2024Open 19:15 - 21:30

Price
Price £15.00 to £25.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Singing Workshop with Peter Corry

Portaferry

Address

The Portico of Ards, Steel Dickson Avenue, Portaferry, County Down, BT22 1LE

Telephone
028 4272 8808

verity@porticoards.com

Price
Price £10.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Workshop

Love to sing?
Peter Corry, star of the West End, has kindly agreed to deliver a two-hour singing workshop for anyone of any ability to come along and get some tips on how to improve their performance.
Places are limited so book early to avoid…

Dates

Price
Price £10.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
The Clyde Duo

Portaferry

Address

The Portico of Ards, Steele Dickson Ave, Portaferry, County Down, BT22 1LE

Telephone
028 4272 8808

verity@porticoards.com

Price
Price £5.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Concert

Moving On Music is delighted to present the Clyde Duo consisting of Irish Flautist, Aisling Agnew and Welsh Harpist, Sharron Griffiths.
Aisling and Sharron share a passion for performing music from the beautiful vast flute and harp repertoire…

Dates

From:
24 Nov 2024Open 15:00 - 16:30

Price
Price £5.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Wine Not Wednesday: Independence Day

Bangor

Address

King's Quay bar, 11 King Street, Bangor, Down, BT20 3AH

Telephone
07860 484 863

david@masoswinenights.com

Price
Price £30.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Talks/Lectures

Monthly wine night in the Kings Quay, kicking off with wines from the USA

Dates

Price
Price £30.00 Per Ticket

More Info