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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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Carol Service

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 us for Portico's annual Carol Service from Portaferry Presbyterian Congregation, featuring the NewQuay Singers accompanied by Richard Campbell on organ.
Supported by Lottery Project Funding from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland

Dates

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Aspects Festival

Bangor

Address

Various Locations around Bangor, Bangor, County Down, BT20 4BT

Telephone
+44 (0)28 9127 1200

arts@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Festival

This year's Aspects Festival brings to you an exciting mix of events, from memoir to poetry, history to prose, all celebrating reading and writing. Whatever your interest, there are events that will challenge, teach and entertain.

Dates

Price
Free

More Info
Jake O'Kane: The Inappropriate Tour

Portaferry

Address

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

Telephone
028 4272 8808

Verity@porticoards.com

Price
Price £25.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Comedy

David Hull Promotions Presents – Jake O'Kane "The Inappropriate Tour"
Roll up, roll up, the Jake O'Kane circus is back in town!
After a decade of sell-out tours, Jake is back with his annual multimedia roundup of the year's events in NI and beyond.

Dates

Price
Price £25.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Seán Donnelly

Portaferry

Address

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

Telephone
028 4272 8808

verity@porticoards.com

Price
Price £15.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Concert

Described as 'the real folk voice of Northern Ireland', Seán Donnelly was born near Omagh and grew up in a musical family, where the weekly rambling house session was a regular feature of family and social life. His father Michael was a singer, from…

Dates

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

Price
Price £15.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Legends of American Country

Portaferry

Address

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

Telephone
028 4272 8808

verity@porticoards.com

Price
Price £25.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Concert

Now seen by over 350,000 fans live and watched by millions on TV Europe's No.1 multi award winning show "The Legends of American Country".
The 2024 tour will showcase highly acclaimed tributes to Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, Don Williams, Patsy…

Dates

From:
1 June 2024Open 19:30 - 22:00

Price
Price £25.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Pygmalion by GB Shaw

Helen's Bay

Address

St John’s Church Hall, 13a Fort Road, Helen's Bay, County Down, BT19 1LA

Telephone
028 9127 0069

bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Price
Price £12.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Theatre

Helen’s Bay Players are performing GB Shaw’s famous play Pygmalion. The phoneticist Henry Higgins sets out to transform Eliza Doolittle, a Cockney flower girl, into a duchess at ease in high society. Eliza is a quick learner but proves to have a…

Dates

Price
Price £12.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Walking Tour presented by Dander Down: Castlereagh Life & Legacy

Newtownards

Address

Newtownards Priory, Court Square, Newtownards, Down, BT23 7FM

Telephone
028 9181 0803

arts@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Price
Price £10.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

History

As we commemorate the 200th anniversary of the death of Robert Stewart, Lord Castlereagh, join us as we journey back in time on a specially commissioned walking tour.

Dates

Price
Price £10.00 Per Ticket

More Info
The Illegals

Portaferry

Address

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

Telephone
028 4272 8808

verity@porticoards.com

Price
Price £20.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Concert

Widely regarded as one of the best live tribute acts in the country, The Illegals are into their 25th year with this ever-popular show.
Every year, the Illegals delve deeper into the Eagles and Fleetwood Mac back-catalogues to keep their dynamic…

Dates

Price
Price £20.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
A Victorian Christmas

Newtownards

Address

Web Theatre, 49 North Street, Newtownards, Co Down, BT23 4DE

Telephone
07711 759 832

ianhfoster@fastmail.co.uk

Price
Price £10.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Theatre

Traditions and habits of Victorian times.

Dates

Price
Price £10.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Dave Elliott: Role Play

Portaferry

Address

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

Telephone
028 4272 8808

verity@porticoards.com

Price
Price £16.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Comedy

David Hull Promotions Presents – Dave Elliott's Roleplay
Following two headline shows at the famed Ulster Hall and special guest appearances on the Tea with Me Podcast at the SSE Arena and the Blame Game, Dave Elliott is back with his brand-new…

Dates

From:
8 June 2024Open 19:30 - 21:30

Price
Price £16.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Kirkistown Point-to-Point Races

Portavogie

Address

Kirkistown, Portavogie, County Down, BT22 1AF

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9263 9321

info@p2p.ie

Price
Price £10.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Sport

The North County Down Hunt host three point-to-points during the season, an Autumn fixture and two Spring fixtures. Point-to-points are horse racing in its purist form and you will often hear it described as the grassroots of horse racing in Ireland…

Dates

Price
Price £10.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
James Newby (baritone) and Niall Kinsella (piano): Die schöne Müllerin

Portaferry

Address

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

Telephone
028 4272 8808

Verity@porticoards.com

Price
Price £5.00 to £20.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Concert

Rising star British baritone James Newby and pianist Niall Kinsella perform Schubert's song cycle Die schöne Müllerin.
Schubert's Die schöne Müllerin explores themes of unrequited love, jealousy and heartbreak as a young man falls in love with a…

Dates

Price
Price £5.00 to £20.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Feel Good Festival: Pew Bathing Sound Spa - second session

Portaferry

Address

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

Telephone
028 4272 8808

verity@porticoards.com

Price
Price £20.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Festival

Kick off your shoes, lie on cushioned pews or mats and sink into a sumptuous Sound Healing Spa
Supported by Ards and North Down Borough Council

Dates

Price
Price £20.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Holywood Food & Drink Tour - Cancelled

Holywood

Address

With Experience & Explore NI, Depart corner of High Street & Hibernia Street, Holywood, Down, BT18 9AB

Telephone
+44(0)7469 331 602

info@experienceandexploreni.com

Price
Price £55.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

History

Holywood Food & Drink Tour

Dates

Price
Price £55.00 Per Ticket

More Info
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 a working Goldsmiths studio followed by some quality relaxation time in her home overlooking Belfast Lough, sipping on non alcoholic NI Silver gin (or Prosecco) with your lovely box of chocolates before…

Dates

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
Thank You For The Musicals 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 £25.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Concert

Experience the magic of musicals with Peter Corry's show "Thank you for the Musicals". A night of songs from our favourite shows, both past and present. Including Les Misérables, Hamilton, Wicked, Six, The Phantom of the Opera, Moulin Rouge, and…

Dates

Price
Price £25.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Guided History Walking Tour of Groomsport

Main Street, Groomsport

Address

Cockle Row Cottages, The Harbour, Main Street, Groomsport, County Down, BT19 6JR

Telephone
07979 335 265

discovergroomsport@gmail.com

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Guided Walk

The tour of Groomsport covers the varied history of the village, including the voyage of the Eagle Wing on 9th September 1636 – the first attempt by Ulster-Scots folk to emigrate to America. The tour will include significant buildings dating from…

Dates

From:
8 June 2024Open 14:00 - 15:30
From:

6 July 2024to7 Sept 2024Various Opening Times

From:

14 Sept 2024to15 Sept 2024Open 14:00 - 15:30

Price
Free

More Info
Valentine's Pottery Painting - SOLD OUT

Millise

Address

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

Telephone
028 9186 2300

sales@edenpotteryshop.co.uk

Price
Price £62.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Workshop

An exclusive experience at Eden on a Sunday afternoon....

Dates

Price
Price £62.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
William Thompson: Scumbag Millionaire

Portaferry

Address

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

Telephone
028 4272 8808

verity@porticoards.com

Price
Price £15.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Comedy

What would you do if you became a millionaire overnight? Would you invest it? Save it for a rainy day? Or blow it as quickly as possible?
This is the question that William Thompson (Mudblood Podcast, William of Orangedale, Tea With Meghan) will…

Dates

From:
22 Nov 2024Open 19:30 - 21:30

Price
Price £15.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Music From The Movies Organ Recital

Portaferry

Address

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

Telephone
028 4272 8808

Verity@porticoards.com

Price
Price £5.00 to £15.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Concert

We are delighted to welcome the award-winning organist Aaron Hawthorne to play Music From The Movies on our organ.
Supported by Lottery Project Funding from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland

Dates

Price
Price £5.00 to £15.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking