Sea Bangor | Activities

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Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 May 2026

Bangor seafront | 12noon - 6pm, both days

This celebration of the City of Bangor’s maritime heritage returns to the seafront with nautical fun on and off the water!

Eisenhower Pier Car Park, Quay Street, located beside Eisenhower Pier, will take on a distinctly holiday atmosphere with the return of the Urban Beach, funfair rides, roller disco, walkabout performers, Sea horse model boats and a variety of stalls.

Once you’ve soaked up all the fun, you can relax and watch some fantastic food demos at the Demo Kitchen where chefs from the local college, SERC, will be creating tasty dishes using fresh local produce to give you inspiration to take home and try for yourself!

New for 2026 stroll along Quay Street and the Seacliff Road to, with a wide selection of hot food trucks, outdoor bar operated by The Rabbit Rooms.  Look out for local artisan producers too, offering unique handmade goods and treats throughout the weekend.  

(Please note: To facilitate this new pedestrianised element, there will be a road closure on Quay Street, diversions will be in place, find out more https://bit.ly/SeaBangorANDPlanYourTrip)

Quiet hour from 11am - 12noon (Sat and Sun)

Welcoming people with a disability, neurodiverse conditions, carers and parents/guardians. Quiet Hour is designed to support anyone who benefits from a calmer environment. Expect reduced noise and activities, dimming of lighting, limit of announcements and a peaceful atmosphere for those who appreciate a gentler space.

During this hour there are pre-bookable activities including on the water and roller disco, you can also enjoy Punch and Judy shows, the funfair will be open, operating without music and stalls will be open.

>> Explore our Quiet Hour page to find out more and book

We kindly ask attendees to consider whether this session is the right fit for them, helping to preserve a calm experience for those who need it most.

After this quiet hour, the event will officially open at 12 noon with a fun-filled programme running through to 6pm.

Please note: there will be a quiet area available throughout the event, please ask a member of event staff who will bring you to the area.

*Sea Bangor is a free to attend event. Costs may apply to some event activities.

Some programming elements are weather dependent, and may be subject to change or move location during the event. For latest information, please keep an eye on social media channels. 

On the Water Activities

Enjoy wonderful on the water activities at the Sea Bangor Festival, from rowing competitions to boat trips, there is lots of fun to be had throughout the weekend.

View the Rowing Competitions

Free to view | From 12.15pm both days
Rowing Competition - Local Teams Compete
This year’s event sees the return of the popular rowing competition with local teams vying for the top prize. Organised by SERC.

'Have a Go' Sessions 

Saturday only: Kayaking | Saturday and Sunday: Paddleboarding | Sunday only: Double Canoe
Pre-booking required | Tickets on sale now

Note, bookable Quiet hour sessions will run between 11am - 12noon (Sat and Sun).

Discover more about the On The Water Activities at Sea Bangor >> here

Visiting Vessels and Service Representation

We are delighted to welcome to Sea Bangor the visit of two traditionally rigged vessels – Pellew and Spirit of Falmouth – arriving in Bangor on Friday 22 May as part of the Full Circle sailing expedition, coordinated by veteran sailing charity Turn to Starboard and delivered in partnership with Invictus Games Birmingham 2027. Their presence is certainly an event highlight!

Images courtesy of Turn to Starboard

Sea Bangor will also welcome crew personnel from HMS Bangor, attending the event in a representative capacity. While the vessel itself will not be present, due to ongoing repairs following a collision, the crew’s attendance reflects Bangor’s ongoing links with the Royal Navy. 

>> Find out more

Family Fun

Families will be able to enjoy a ream of fun activities and entertainment, including Punch and Judy shows, walkabout entertainers, bookable activities, and a roller disco.

Set Sail around Bangor | Passport Trail

Saturday 23rd May from 12noon – 5pm

Set sail on the Bangor Trail adventure! Visit 14 shops across the City and collect a stamp at each one.

Bring your completed passport to the Visitor Information Centre caravan situated beside Eisenhower Carpark, BT20 5ED to claim your prize.  

*Unless opening times otherwise stated* 

View the list of participating businesses >> Sea Bangor City Passport

Roller Disco – Pre-booking required

£5pp (under 16 must be accompanied by an adult) 

7 sessions each day (please arrive 15 minutes prior to your booking time to complete a waiver to take part)

A session will run each day during quiet hour from 11:00 - 11:45, to book your space, please click on the day you wish to attend - Saturday 23 May Quiet Hour | Sunday 24 May Quiet Hour

To book your slot for Saturday 23 May (session times from 12noon - 5pm), please click here.

To book your slot for Sunday 24 May (session times from 12noon - 5pm), please click here.

Equipment
Boots will be supplied by the organiser. You can bring your own roller boots, if you wish.

Wristguards and helmets are available to hire free of charge at the skate hire desk. Wearing protective equipment will greatly reduce the chance of injury due to a fall / collision. 

Health and Safety
Children under the age of 16 shall be appropriately supervised at all times by a responsible adult, parent or guardian. We shall not accept responsibility for the safety of children who are not appropriately supervised.

You shall be responsible for making yourself and those under your supervision familiar with the health and safety rules and emergency procedures which are in place at the premises in which the activity is taking place

Pre-Existing Medical Conditions
We highly recommend that you do not take part in skating activity if you suffer from high blood pressure, heart, back or neck problems, brittle bones, joint injuries or any other condition that could be aggravated by this activity.

If you are, or suspect you are pregnant you should not take part in this activity.

Waiver
Each participant must complete a waiver, prior to participating. (please arrive 15 minutes prior to your booking time to complete a waiver to take part)

The Roller Disco at Sea Bangor is operated by Kelly’s Roller Disco.

Terms and Conditions - Roller Skating Belfast Northern Ireland

Disclaimer - Roller Skating Belfast Northern Ireland

Street Theatre Entertainment

Enjoy side-splitting surprises, quirky characters, and unmissable performances! Here’s what’s roaming your way throughout the Sea Bangor weekend...

Join Captain Bullock and Bosun Bell for maritime mayhem, magic and mirth! It's a nautical extravaganza of eccentric experiments, sensational circus skills, and hilarious feats of derring-do.

Spot a Pirate on wheels, and one very tall Pirate (Saturday only)! Look out for the intriguing Fintan the Fisherman and the Fish-head! (Sunday only), and Mermaid Bellweather will be popping in off the shores, too!

Live Music

Saturday 23 May

12 - 1pm | The Selkies, an all women's sea shanty group from Portaferry
1 - 1.40pm | Sing Happy choir
2 - 4pm | Alex da costa
4 - 5pm | The Ukes 
5 - 6pm | Rock choir

Sunday 24 May

12 - 2pm | Comber Brass Band
2 - 4pm | Harmonic Sounds Concert Brass Band
4pm - 5pm | The Selkies, an all women's sea shanty group from Portaferry 
5pm - 6pm | Uke - A - Ladies

Programme timing provided as a guide and may vary during the event.

National Museums NI (NMNI): CEDaR | Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 May

CEDaR is returning to Sea Bangor! Come over, chat with our team and learn about how you can participate in biological recording and contribute to citizen science. We’ll be bringing fascinating marine specimens, informative guides and facts of the species and habitats that can be found around the Bangor Coast.

Food and Drink at Sea Bangor

Quench your appetite with a variety of food and drink stalls at Sea Bangor

>> View the stall list

As well as food and drink stalls you will also find crafting and memento from...

Blue Angel Designs | Jewellery accessories and clothing
Fairy Fantastic | Small planted items and terraniums 
Rock Island Crafts | Handmade childrens colourful caridigans, accessories, ladies alpaca jackets
Party Treasures |  Family fun goodies from Bangor's High Street store

What's more... Experience Ards and North Down!

**More tickets released on 20 May for both days!**

Bangor Bay Boat Tours | Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 May 2026

Trip departs from Pickie Jetty, Beside Pickie Funpark | 11am – 12.30pm both days 

£15pp 

Tour Guide: Paul Whitla | Skipper: Brian Meharg

Tour departs from the Jetty beside Pickie Funpark, Bangor

Join tour guide Paul Whitla and Brian Meharg, author of the children’s book "Jenny Watts Legend" and skipper of the Ocean Crest, onboard, to hear the story of infamous smuggler, Jenny Watt while enjoying a cruise around Bangor Bay, off Belfast Lough.

Find out more >> Book now

**SOLD OUT**

*NEW TOUR FOR 2026* | Stories and Songs of the Sea | Saturday 23 May

Tour departs on foot from Bangor Abbey, Bangor | 10.30am – 12.30pm

£7pp 

Tour Guide: Alison Armstrong

From early monastic beginnings to life as a busy harbour and seaside town, Bangor’s streets, buildings, and shoreline tell the story of the people who lived, worked, and sailed to and from here. This unique walking tour brings heritage to life through historic spaces shaped by the sea, revealing how generations of individuals have left their mark on the city. Along the way, enjoy an immersive musical experience, creating a memorable connection between landscape, history, and living culture.

Live music included during the tour by the UKE - A - LADIES!

Find out more >> Book now

Make a day of it in the City of Bangor!

Better still, Make a Break of it and 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.  With help from these sections plan your perfect break:

Find out what else is on on over Sea Bangor weekend and how you could Experience Ards and North Down further

Explore Things to do and discover local Food and Drink offering.

Plan Your Trip today!

Please note, details subject to change.

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Please note, photography and videography may take place at this event: 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