Event Highlights

We are thrilled to launch a full year of FREE events after a rather disruptive two years. There is so much to look forward to and as always there is something for everyone! Here are just some highlights of what is to come, from family fun to foodie fun.

Holywood will be abuzz on May Day, Monday 2 May, for it's annual event of music, merriment, family fun and of course May Day dancing performed by local school children.

Saturday 14 May will see the return of the annual Ards and North Down Pipe Band and Drum Major Championships in the grounds of Castle Park, located in Bangor Town Centre at the Town Hall. This colourful event showcases musical skill, talent and co-odination. Look out for displays during the day performed by the fantastic Highland Dancers.

In June, Sea Bangor Celebrates the Platinum Jubilee. Bangor Seafront will come alive with activity on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 June for the long standing event with a twist in honour of The Queen's Platinum Jubilee.

Our Foodie events were so popular last year that we have made even more of them this year with a two week celebration of #TasteAND in summer and in autumn! The mini events will showcase our local talent and our local ingredients, celebrating our rich land, from field to fork.

Our Taste Summer in Ards and North Down will run in various locations between Saturday 18 June and Sunday 3 July featuring the Comber Earlies Food Festival on Saturday 25 June.

Taste Autumn in Ards and North Down will run from Saturday 10 through to Saturday 24 September featuring Tide and Turf, Portavogie, on Saturday 24 September - If you love your seafood this event is definitely one for you!

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. From Strongmen to traditional music, kite flying to sailing, golfing to festivals, there is something for everyone! Find out more about our funded events.

And there's even more happening in between...

Check out our What's On guide - be sure to book early for our Experience Ards and North Down 2022 programme which runs throughout the year from April to January 2023.

Is it too early to mention Christmas? Well for those who like to plan ahead, here are a couple of dates for your diary:

Bangor Christmas Switch On, Saturday 19 November

Newtownards Christmas Switch On, Saturday 26 November

Details and events subject to change.

There will be a small charge for some activities at events.

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Taste Summer Local Markets

Address

Various locations

Type

Type:

Markets / Fairs

Taste Summer in Ards and North Down from 18 June - 3 July, throughout this packed 2-week programme don’t forget to visit our weekly markets in Bangor and Newtownards, and monthly Market on the Square in Portaferry.

Dates

More Info
Newtownards Christmas Market and Festive Fun Day

Newtownards

Address

Town centre, Newtownards, County Down, BT23 4NP

Telephone
028 9182 6846

ardsvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Christmas Events

Details to be confirmed. Keep an eye on this webpage, follow our social channels on Facebook and Instagram or sign up to our e-newsletter for up to date information on events and things to do in the borough.

Dates

From:
26 Nov 2022

Price
Free

More Info
Cancelled - Taste AND Artisan Market Donaghadee

Donaghadee

Address

Lemons Wharf, (Near the playground close to the Pier), Donaghadee, County Down, BT21 0HE

Telephone
028 9182 6846

ardsvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Type

Type:

Markets / Fairs

Part of the Taste Autumn in Ards and North Down Programme.
Enjoy the tastes of the borough at this outdoor artisan food market.
Update, following the sad news of the death of the sovereign Queen Elizabeth II, this event has now been cancelled.

Dates

More Info
Sold Out: Stargazing at Burr Point

Ballyhalbert

Address

Burr Point, Ballyhalbert Harbour, Ballyhalbert, County Down, BT22 1DL

Telephone
028 9182 6846

Price
Price £2.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Outdoors Event

Part of the Taste Autumn in Ards and North Down Programme.
Experience the incredible starry skies above Burr Point, the most easterly point in Ireland. Astronomers from the Northern Ireland Amateur Astronomy Society will be on hand with their…

Dates

Price
Price £2.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Irish Spirits and Irish Cheese – Meet the Makers at The Echlinville Distillery

Kircubbin

Address

The Echlinville Distillery, 62 Gransha Road, Kircubbin, County Down, BT22 1AJ

Price
Price £40.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Tour

Part of the Taste Autumn in Ards and North Down Programme.
Experience the sights, sounds and smells of Ireland first farm distillery – home of Ireland’s best known whiskeys, gins and Poitín along with a selection of Irish cheese by Indie Füde.

Dates

From:
24 Sept 2022

Price
Price £40.00 Per Ticket

More Info
SOLD OUT: Time for Tea at The Walled Garden Helen's Bay

Helen's Bay

Address

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

Telephone
02891270069

bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Type

Type:

Food & Drink

Part of the Taste Summer in Ards and North Down programme. This beautiful afternoon will will provide you with a hint of Downtown luxury within the tranquil setting of this picturesque garden.

Dates

More Info
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

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 many interesting…

Dates

Price
Price £5.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Copeland Distillery at Bull & Claw Donagadee

Donaghadee

Address

The Bull & Claw Restaurant, 7-9 Moat Street, Donaghadee, County Down, BT21 0DA

Telephone
028 9188 2262

Price
Price £60.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Food & Drink

Part of the Taste Autumn in Ards and North Down Programme.
Chef Craig Beazley crafts a four course dinner inspired by the full range of spirits made by the distillers of at Donaghadee, and guests get to hear about the making of Copeland Distillery.

Dates

Price
Price £60.00 Per Ticket

More Info
FREE EVENT - Tide and Turf Portavogie

Portavogie

Address

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

Telephone
028 9182 6846

ardsvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Type

Type:

Food & Drink

Part of our Taste Autumn in Ards and North Down programme.
A FREE family fun event showcasing local food and drink featuring celebrity chefs Theo Randall and Suzie Lee.

Dates

From:
24 Sept 2022

More Info
Comber Earlies Food Festival Spud Tour

Comber

Address

St Marys Church car park to farm at Island Hill, Comber, County Down, BT23 5DU

Telephone
028 9182 6846

ardsvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Price
Price £20.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Food & Drink

Part of the Taste Summer in Ards and North Down programme. On this tour you will visit the stunning location where the Comber Early grows and is harvested, learn a little bit more about them, get involved in harvesting them yourself and lots of…

Dates

Price
Price £20.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Cancelled - Echlinville Distillery at Bull & Claw Portaferry

Portaferry

Address

1 The Strand, Portaferry, County Down, BT22 1PE

Price
Price £60.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Food & Drink

Part of the Taste Autumn in Ards and North Down Programme.
Our Chef will craft a four course dinner inspired by the full range of spirits made by the distillers of Echlinville Distillery and guests get to hear the stories behind heritage brands like…

Dates

Price
Price £60.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Cancelled: Comber Earlies Food Festival Picnic

Comber

Address

Island Hill, Ringcreevy Road, Comber, County Down, BT23 5DU

Telephone
028 9182 6846

ardsvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Type

Type:

Food & Drink

Cancelled: Part of the Taste Summer in Ards and North Down programme. Take part in National Picnic Week, with an afternoon picnic at Island Hill, Comber.

Dates

More Info
Taste Autumn Local Markets

Address

Various locations, County Down

Telephone
028 9127 0069

Type

Type:

Markets / Fairs

Part of the Taste Autumn in Ards and North Down programme.
We have a number of regular local markets that take place throughout the year, renowned for their artisan qualities and food fayre. These are the market dates that fall into our two week…

Dates

From:

10 Sept 2022to24 Sept 2022

More Info
May Day

Holywood

Address

Town Centre, Holywood, County Down, BT18 9AB

Telephone
028 9127 0069

bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Type

Type:

Family Fun

Holywood will be abuzz on May Day, Monday 2 May, for its annual event of music, merriment, family fun and of course May Day dancing performed by local school children. This is a free family fun day, organised by Ards and North Down Borough Council…

Dates

More Info
Sea Bangor Celebrates the Platinum Jubilee

Bangor

Address

Quay Street car park and Eisenhower Pier, Quay Street, Bangor, County Down, BT20 5ED

Telephone
028 9127 0069

bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Type

Type:

Family Fun

Her Majesty The Queen will become the first British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee after 70 years of service, to celebrate Bangor Seafront will come alive with activity on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 June for Sea Bangor Celebrates the Platinum…

Dates

More Info
Surf and Turf at the Pier with Beer

Donaghadee

Address

Pier 36 Restaurant, The Parade, Donaghadee, County Down, BT21 0HE

Price
Price £45.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Food & Drink

Part of the Taste Autumn in Ards and North Down Programme.
Pier 36 is serious about steak, with seafood and streaks paired with yummy local brews, you're in for a real treat.

Dates

Price
Price £45.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Ards and North Down Pipe Band and Drum Major Championships

Castle Park Avenue, Bangor

Address

Castle Park, Town Hall/Bangor Castle, Castle Park Avenue, Bangor, County Down, BT20 4BT

Telephone
028 9267 0445

info@rspbani.org

Type

Type:

Show / Display

Saturday 14 May will see the return of the annual Ards and North Down Pipe Band and Drum Major Championships in the grounds of Castle Park, located in Bangor Town Centre at the Town Hall, organised in conjunction with the Royal Scottish Pipe Band…

Dates

More Info
Sold Out - Dine at the Dock

Portavogie

Address

Fish Market, Portavogie Harbour, Portavogie, County Down, BT22 1EA

Telephone
028 9182 6846

Price
Price £60.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Food & Drink

Part of the Taste Autumn in Ards and North Down Programme.
Celebrity Chef Theo Randall hosts this unique evening showcasing the finest local produce with a 5 course tasting menu curated by himself and the team at the South Eastern Regional College…

Dates

Price
Price £60.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Bangor Christmas light switch on

Bangor

Address

Town centre, Bangor, County Down, BT20 5AG

Telephone
028 9127 0069

bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Christmas Events

The Christmas Market returns to Bangor with an abundance of festive treats on offer selling artisan foods and local crafts. This is the perfect spot to kick off some early Christmas shopping.

Dates

From:
19 Nov 2022

Price
Free

More Info
Comber Earlies Sunday Lunch Tour

Comber

Address

Comber town, Comber, County Down, BT23 5DX

Telephone
028 9182 6846

ardsvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Price
Price £50.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Food & Drink

Part of the Taste Summer in Ards and North Down programme. Wind your way around Comber town centre, stopping in renowned locations offering food to stir all the senses.

Dates

Price
Price £50.00 Per Ticket

More Info