Every year, Ards and North Down Borough Council are pleased to support a programme events of such a variety a themes; whether you are interested in sailing, music or art, plus festivals for all the family.
Here are some dates in your diary...
2026 Grant Aided Tourism Events
Irish Sailing Youth National Championships
9 – 12 April 2026
Ballyholme Yacht Club, Bangor
Find out more
May Day
Organised by Holywood and District Community Council
4 May 2026
Holywood town centre
Find out more
Gathering Stitches - Yarn & Textiles Festival
Organised by Inspiring Yarns CIC
9 - 10 May 2026
WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre, Comber
Find out more
Trucks at the Track
Organised by Friends of the Track
13 – 14 June 2026
Kirkistown Motor Racing Circuit, Kircubbin
Find out more
Ards 2026 Town Centre Races
Organised by Ards Cycling Club
17 June 2026
Newtownards town centre
Find out more
Picnic in the Park
Part of Open House Festival
Sundays in July and August 2026
Ward Park (Bandstand), City of Bangor
Find out more
The Emerald Isle Highland Dance Festival
Organised by The Emerald Isle Highland Dance Committee
25 – 26 July 2026
Find out more
Portaferry Sails & Sounds Maritime Heritage, Shanty and Ulster-Scots Festival 2026
Organised by Portaferry Community Services Ltd in conjunction with Portaferry Sailing Club
31 July - 3 August 2026
Strangford Lough and various locations within Portaferry
Find out more
Open House Festival
Organised by Open House Festival
August 2026
Various locations in the City of Bangor
Find out more
GP14 World Championships
Organised by Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club
8 - 15 August 2026
Holywood
Find out more
Ards Peninsula Kite Festival
Organised by Ards Peninsula Villages Partnership
22 August 2026
Millisle Beach
Clandeboye Festival 2026
Organised by Camerata Ireland
22 – 29 August 2026
Clandeboye Estate, Bangor
Find out more
NI Science Festival
10 - 21 Febuary 2027
Across the borough
2026 Community Aided Tourism Events
Sea Bangor Festival activities for families
Organised by Kilcooley Women's Centre
23 May 2026
The Old Market House, Bangor
All Ability Inclusive Beach events
Organised by Mae Murray Foundation with support from Ards and North Down Borough Council
Between 1 June - 30 August 2026
Groomsport Beach
Donaghadee Summer Festival: A Celebration of Sea, Sport and Community
Organised by Donaghadee Community Development Association
June - September 2026
Various locations throughout Donaghadee
Find out more
Peninsula Community Artisan Market
Organised by Portaferry Regeneration Limited
July - September
Market Square, Portaferry
The Narrows Series Regatta 2026
Organised by Portaferry Sailing Social Club
10 July - 14 July 2026
Strangford Lough at Portaferry
Portaferry Gala Fest
Organised by Portaferry Gala Festival Committee
18 July - 24 July 2026
Various locations throughout Portaferry
Find out more
Sir Robert Gillespie Festival
Organised by Comber Regeneration Community Partnership
25 July - 22 August 2026
Comber
Bangor Fleadh Festival activities
Organised by Bangor Chamber
August
Bangor
Killinchy together 2 - Community Connection Festival
Organised by Killinchy & District Community Association
19 September 2026
Killinchy
Creative Holywood Festival
Organised by Holywood Shared Town
11 September - 28 November 2026
Various locations throughout Holywood
All event details are subject to change.
For information on our Grants, visit www.ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk
