About
Celebrate the start of the Christmas season in Newtownards as Conway Square comes alive with market stalls, music, crafts and storytelling — bringing seasonal cheer to the heart of the town. Be sure to collect your Christmas Passport (Saturday 29 November only, 10am - 3pm) and enjoy festive fun across the town, with local businesses offering special seasonal treats along the way. Come and Meet Paddington™ (Saturday 29 November only), our favourite marmalade-loving bear, will be making personal appearances at intervals between 11am and 3.30pm.
Fri 11am – 7pm and Sat 10am – 7pm
Christmas lights will go on, Friday at 4pm
Christmas Market
Friday 28 and Saturday 29 November
The town will be immersed in the magic of the season for this two-day event which will welcome a *Christmas Market and bar into Conway Square over both days.
*Charges apply to stall purchases
Saturday 29 November Only
Newtownards Christmas Passport Trail (Saturday 29 November only, 10am - 3pm) which takes you on a trail throughout the town collecting various treats or taking part in themed fun. Passports are free and can be obtained from any of the various participants.
Come and Meet Paddington™ (Saturday 29 November only)
On Saturday 29 November, our favourite marmalade-loving bear, Paddington™ will be making personal appearances at intervals between 11am and 3.30pm.
Get your phone at the ready for your chance to snap a pic of Paddington!
Christmas Crafts at the Arts Centre
Saturday 29 November | 10am–7pm
Enjoy festive, family-friendly, Paddington-themed activities featuring a Christmas Postbox.
A heart-warming, family-friendly experience celebrating kindness, creativity, and community spirit.
Activities include:
Paddington’s Postcards from Peru: Handmade recycled-paper postcards with Christmas wishes
Please Look After This Wall: Collaborative mural with doodles, paw prints, and messages of kindness
Photo Moment: Oversized cardboard post-box, suitcase, and postcard props for selfies and social sharing
Newtownards Library | Queens Hall, Regent Street, Newtownards, BT23 4AB
Saturday 29 November | 11am–3pm | Drop in sessions throughout the day
Come along and listen to storyteller Mary Jordan read, Paddington’s Christmas Post based on the original stories by Michael Bond, Illustrated by R.W.Alley.
Storytelling Times:
11am – 11:30am
12am– 12:30pm
1pm – 1:30pm
2pm – 2:30pm
3pm – 3:30pm
[*Charges apply to stall purchases]
Organised in partnership with Ards and North Down Borough Council and Newtownards Chamber of Trade
Things to note
The usual weekly Newtownards Saturday market will not be on, Saturday 29 Nov.
Getting here:
We expect the town to be busy; plan your journey ahead of time.
Click for information on car parking in the town. Please note there is no plan to close car parks to accommodate this event.
Please take public transport if possible. Newtownards Bus Station is located approximately 5 to 10 minute’s walk from Conway Square and the town centre. For information on bus timetables visit, Translink.
Event site | Useful information
Information Point | Located in Conway Square.
Recycling | When disposing of rubbish please use the recycling stations when on-site. Please note, the usual waste bins on-site will not be in use during the event. Please help us continue our sustainability commitment to zero contamination at events by using the correct bin. There will be team members from Recycling on hand to provide advice and help you put your rubbish in the correct bin.
Accessibility | Accessoloo will be in attendance, located Conway Square. Accessoloo is a toilet facility for disabled people that has the right equipment, including Adult Changing Table, Ceiling Hoist, Lavatory, Grab Rails, Hot and Cold Running Water and Heating and Lighting. Find out more about Accessoloo.
Toilets | Public toilets will remain open at Mill street.
First Aid | There will be a First Aid Point situated in Conway Square.
Lost children and Vulnerable adults | please pick up a wristband, which you can add a contact number to located in Conway Square.
Dogs | We would advise dog owners that the areas with the outdoor event elements in Conway Square, it is anticipated it will be busy and noisy and recommend you do not bring your dog onto the site. If you do plan to attend with your dog, dogs should be kept on a short lead. Owners must clean up after their dogs and dispose of the waste in the appropriate bins.
Sustainability
Ards and North Down Borough Council is committed to reducing our carbon footprint. Please keep sustainability in mind when coming along to our events. We encourage visitors to travel via public transport. Please dispose of rubbish in the bins on site.
Stay a while
Why not make a break of it? Relax in the beauty of this place, offering everything from 5 star luxury to cosy guest houses or unique self-catering options, maybe camping and caravanning is more your thing, let us help you plan your perfect getaway.
For more inspiration and tips on how to make the most of your trip sign up to our newsletter.
Details subject to change. Keep checking back to our website, follow our facebook page or sign up to our ezine for updates.
[Please note, this event is being photographed/filmed. Images may be used in Ards and North Down Borough Council promotional material. If you do not want your image to be used, please inform our event staff
Guide Prices
| Ticket Type | Ticket Tariff |
|---|---|
| Ticket | Free |
Free to attend. Some activities may incur costs.
