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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.

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Scene to Studio: Painting the Walled Garden - Experience AND 2024

(next door to Cex on Main St)., Bangor

Address

Meeting at Boom! Studios & visiting Bangor Castle Walled Garden, 80A Main Street, (next door to Cex on Main St)., Bangor, County Down, BT20 5AE

Telephone
+44 (0)28 9127 0069

bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Price
Price £145.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Workshop

Join local landscape artist Jenni Robinson for an immersive day of art, based around the beautiful Walled Garden in Bangor.

Dates

From:
22 June 2024

Price
Price £145.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Sold Out - New Year’s Day Historic Ards Walk

Newtownards

Address

Town Hall, Conway Square, Newtownards, County Down, BT23 4NP

Telephone
028 9182 6846

Price
Price £5.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Tour

SOLD OUT
Start the New Year and shake off the cobwebs from 2021 by exploring the rich and varied history of Newtownards. The tour will take you on a journey through time, visiting the Medieval plantation and Georgian periods discovering the…

Dates

Price
Price £5.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Monoprinting with Plants - Experience AND 2024

Main Street, Bangor

Address

Seacourt Print Workshop, Old Ulster Bank Building, Main Street, Bangor, County Down, BT20 5AF

Telephone
+44 (0)28 9127 0069

bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Price
Price £50.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Workshop

An evening of creativity at Seacourt Print Workshop. Your inspiration will be a wide variety of plants and botanicals. You may choose the plants you wish to use, to create your bespoke print.

Dates

From:
15 Aug 2024

Price
Price £50.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Comber Earlies Food Festival

Comber

Address

Comber Town Centre, Comber, County Down, BT23 5DU

Telephone
+44 (0)28 9182 6846

ardsvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Food & Drink

The annual Comber Earlies Food Festival, taking place on Saturday 22 June 2024, is always a wonderful day out filled with family fun, cookery demos in the Festival Kitchen and activities that celebrate the Comber Earlies potato which holds PGI…

Dates

From:
22 June 2024Open 11:00 - 17:00

Price
Free

More Info
Letterpress Postcards - Experience AND 2024

75 Main Street, Bangor

Address

Seacourt Print Workshop, The old Ulster Bank, 75 Main Street, Bangor, County Down, BT20 5AF

Telephone
+44 (0)28 9127 0069

bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Price
Price £50.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Workshop

Join us for an evening of creativity and fun at Seacourt Print Workshop! No experience is necessary to take part in this immersive experience which is perfect for those who want to try their hand at this traditional printing technique.

Dates

From:
26 Sept 2024

Price
Price £50.00 Per Ticket

More Info
SOLD OUT: Knit like a Viking - Experience AND 2024

Kircubbin

Address

Kiri Cottage Crafts, 6 Loughdoo Road, Kircubbin, County Down, BT22 1HJ

Telephone
+44 (0)28 9182 6846

Price
Price £30.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Craft

This experience is now sold out. For more similar experiences with Kiri Cottages check their website or Facebook page.

Dates

Price
Price £30.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Donaghadee New Year's Day Historical Walking Tour - Experience AND 2024

Donaghadee

Address

Tour departs from Donaghadee Harbour, The Parade, Donaghadee, County Down, BT21 0DG

Telephone
+44 (0)28 9182 6846

ardsvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Price
Price £6.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Tour

Makes a great Christmas gift! This would make for something different to do on New Year's Day.

Dates

From:
1 Jan 2025

Price
Price £6.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Discovery Hub: The Echlinville Distillery and Estate

Newtownards

Address

Ards Visitor Information Centre, 31 Regent Street, Newtownards, County Down, BT23 4AD

Telephone
+44 (0)28 9182 6846

ardsvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Type

Type:

Exhibition

Discover the story of Ireland's first farm distillery. The Echlinville Distillery craft award winning Irish whiskey,gin and poitin from field to glass in the heart of the Ards Peninsula, with excellence instilled in every glass.

Dates

More Info
Paws for Gin in Donaghadee - Experience AND 2024

Donaghadee

Address

Tour departs from Donaghadee Harbour, 82 Moat Street, Donaghadee, County Down, BT21 0HF

Telephone
+44 (0)28 9182 6846

ardsvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Price
Price £17.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Tour

Discover the history of Donaghadee on this dog friendly walking tour. After the tour enjoy a gin cocktail, or a soft drink, in the Pier 36 Beer Garden. A great way to see the fictional town of Port Devine of BBC One's Hope Street and the fictional…

Dates

From:
4 Aug 2024

Price
Price £17.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Dogs Welcome Inside
Summer Sunday's at Cockle Row - August

Groomsport

Address

Cockle Row Cottages, Groomsport Harbour, Groomsport, County Down, BT19 6JP

Telephone
+44 (0)28 91272 269

cocklerow@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Type

Type:

Family Fun

Cockle Row Cottages are the perfect setting for Sunday afternoons this summer!
With free entertainment between 2pm - 4pm.
Or, pop along on a Thursdays between 2 - 4pm for some tasty soda bread cooked over the fire.

Dates

More Info
Tide and Turf Portavogie

Portavogie

Address

Fish Market and Harbour, Portavogie, County Down, BT22 1EB

Telephone
+44 (0)28 9182 6846

ardsvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Food & Drink

The beautiful harbour village of Portavogie will host a celebration of delicious local produce as well as the Borough's finest food and drink on Saturday 7 September 2024 with Tide and Turf. A free to attend family fun event showcasing local food…

Dates

From:
7 Sept 2024Open 12:00 - 17:00

Price
Free

More Info
Jenny Watts Boat Trip - Experience AND 2024

Bangor

Address

Tour departs from the Jetty, Pickie Funpark, Bangor, County Down, BT20 5AG

Telephone
+44 (0)28 9127 0069

bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Price
Price £14.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Tour

Join Brian Meharg, author of the children's book "Jenny Watts Legend" and skipper of the Ocean Crest, as he invites you aboard to hear the story of infamous smuggler, Jenny Watt while enjoying a cruise around beautiful Bangor Bay, off Belfast…

Dates

From:
7 July 2024

Price
Price £14.00 Per Ticket

More Info
CANCELLED: A Posh Picnic in The Walled Garden, Helen’s Bay - Experience AND 2024

Helen's Bay

Address

The Walled Garden Helen's Bay, 47 Craigdarragh Road, Helen's Bay, County Down, BT19 1UB

Telephone
+44 (0)28 9127 0069

Price
Price £55.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Food & Drink

This experience has been cancelled. This beautiful, relaxed dining experience will showcase the Walled Garden Helen's Bay in all its spring beauty. Deckchairs, rugs and cushions will adorn the garden of Old Mill House where you can unwind and…

Dates

From:
18 May 2024

Price
Price £55.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Merry May Day

Holywood

Address

Holywood Town Centre, Holywood, County Down, BT18 9AB

Telephone
+44 (0)28 9127 0069

bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Family Fun

Always a popular family day out, the Merry May Day celebrations have become a long tradition in the bustling gateway town of Holywood.

Dates

Price
Free

More Info
Donaghadee Moat and Camera Obscura

Donaghadee

Address

The Motte, Castle Street via East Street, Donaghadee, County Down, BT21 0ED

Telephone
0300 013 3333

Home to the only Camera Obscura on the island of Ireland. Seasonal opening 2024: Summer, May to September (See Opening Times).

Dates

From:

11 May 2024to29 Sept 2024Various Opening Times

More Info
The Emerald Isle Highland Dance Festival

Comber

Address

Nendrum College, Darragh Road, Comber, Down, BT23 5BX

Telephone
07809 695 205

organising.committee@nihda.org

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Festival

The proceedings will commence with The Ards and North Down Highland Dancing Competition on Saturday 27th July.
Later in the afternoon there will be a Choreography Showcase from the Premier Dancers.
On Sunday 28th July, dancers compete in the…

Dates

From:

27 July 2024to29 July 2024Open 09:00 - 17:00

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Cast Away in Bronze - Experience AND 2024

Millisle

Address

Eden Pottery, 218 Abbey Road, Millisle, County Down, BT22 2DH

Telephone
+44 (0)28 9182 6846

ardsvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Price
Price £95.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Workshop

Join Lake and Oak Coppersmithing for this unique bronze casting workshop. This creative workshop will give you a glimpse into the past techniques of Bronze Age casting.

Dates

From:
28 Sept 2024

Price
Price £95.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Strangford Lough Boat Tour - Experience AND 2024

Portaferry

Address

Tour departs from the Slipway, Portaferry, County Down, BT22 1PE

Telephone
+44 (0)28 9182 6846

ardsvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Price
Price £14.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Tour

Join Tour Guide John Murray and take time away from the fast pace of everyday life and enjoy the splendour of Strangford Loughs scenery and fascinating wildlife.

Dates

From:
24 Aug 2024

Price
Price £14.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Wee Birds Art Workshop - Experience AND 2024

Comber

Address

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

Telephone
+44 (0)28 9182 6846

ardsvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Price
Price £7.50 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Craft

Families will be welcomed by Marianne from Boom! Studios, based in Bangor, who will lead a "Wee Birds" art session. This is a mixed media session using collage to create birds inspired by the WWT Castle Espie wildlife and landscape.

Dates

From:
26 Aug 2024

Price
Price £7.50 Per Ticket

More Info
No 14 the Georgian House Summer Garden Fayre

Comber

Address

No 14 Georgian House, 14 The Square, Comber, County Down, BT23 5DT

Telephone
028 9131 1106

Type

Type:

Food & Drink

Join a selection of Fine Food, Artisan Crafts and Award-Winning Makers as they feature in Chef Jim Mulholland's Summer Garden Fayre this June.

Dates

More Info