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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.

Number of results: 775

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Strangford Lough Viking Festival - Coppersmithing Workshop With Lake and Oak, Sat 2pm

(on the green area after Exploris), Portaferry

Address

The Viking Encampment, The Ropewalk, off Castle Street, (on the green area after Exploris), Portaferry, County Down, BT22 1NZ

Telephone
028 9182 6846

Price
Price £20.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Workshop

Make your own leaf pendant, Viking brooch or a cuff.

Dates

Price
Price £20.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Making Christmas: Candles - Sold Out

Holywood

Address

Ulster Folk Museum, 153 Bangor Road, Holywood, County Down, BT180EU

Telephone
02890428428

info@nationalmuseumsni.org

Price
Price £45.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Christmas Events

Make your own hand-poured soy candle this Christmas at Ulster Folk Museum

Dates

Price
Price £45.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Loughinvar

Newtownards

Address

112 Portaferry Road, Newtownards, Co Down, BT22 2AH

Telephone
+44 (0) 7779329815

elainebishop@sky.com

Type

Type:

Self-Catering

Situated on the shores of Strangford Lough in an area of outstanding natural beauty, the cottage affords stunning views from every aspect, appealing to nature lovers, bird watchers, water sport enthusiasts and anyone looking for rest and relaxation…

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
- Parking (free)
Facilities

Leisure Facilities
- Wifi
Island Hill & North Strangford Nature Reserve

Address

County Down

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

Accessible at low-tide, this walk around Rough Island provides magnificent views of Strangford Lough and is an excellent view point for bird watching.

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Strangford Lough Viking Festival - Viking Feast with Storytelling & Music

Strangford

Address

The Old Court, Strangford, County Down, BT30 7NB

Telephone
+44 (0) 33 0137 4046

events@lakesvikings.com

Price
Price £45.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Food & Drink

The Venue is in an outstandingly beautiful location on the shores of Strangford Lough, and it will host the Viking Feast on the opening night of the festival. Music played on reconstructed medieval instruments and vocal arrangements from a trio of…

Dates

Price
Price £45.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Santa Cruise

Killinchy

Address

Strangford Lough Activity Centre, Whiterock, Killinchy, County Down, BT23 6QH

Telephone
+44 (0) 7909 721 898

strangfordloughactivitycentre@hotmail.co.uk

Price
Price £25.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Christmas Events

Join our merry old elf for a hair-raising sleigh ride around the islands aboard our fast speed boat – Black Jacket. Hold onto your santa hats as we fly through the waters of Strangford Lough

Dates

Price
Price £25.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
The Landscapes & Seascapes of Joseph William Carey

Comber

Address

WWT Castle Espie, 78 Ballydrain Road, Comber, County Down, BT23 6EA

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9187 4146

info.castleespie@wwt.org.uk

Price
Price £9.70 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Exhibition

Join us at WWT Castle Espie for an exhibition the works of Irish Artist - Joseph William Carey

Dates

Price
Price £9.70 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Temple of the Winds - Spring Equinox Sound Healing Spa Retreat

Newtownards

Address

Mount Stewart, Portaferry Road, Newtownards, County Down, BT22 2AD

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4278 8387

mountstewart@nationaltrust.org.uk

Price
Price £47.50 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Workshop

Join Tessa Ann from The Sound Healing Spa for this Spring Equinox retreat and workshop. Immerse yourself in the magical energy of Mount Stewart's Temple of the Winds as Tessa delivers a beautiful sound healing experience and workshop.

Dates

Price
Price £47.50 Per Ticket

More Info
Cockle Row Cottages EHOD 2023

Groomsport

Address

The Harbour, Main Street, Groomsport, County Down, BT19 6JR

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9082 3207

ehod@communities-ni.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

EHOD (European Heritage Open Days)

Get ready for a fun-filled weekend by the sea, in the village of Groomsport with its traditional thatched, whitewashed Cottages. The cottages will be open for you to step back in time and see how the fishermen and their families lived. Join Discover…

Dates

Price
Free

More Info
GráNITE at the Ulster Folk Museum

Holywood

Address

Ulster Folk Museum, 153 Bangor Road, Holywood, County Down, BT180EU

Telephone
02890428428

info@nationalmuseumsni.org

Type

Type:

History

Celebrate old stones and the history and folklore that surrounds them at Ulster Folk Museum

Dates

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Model Railway Day at Ulster Transport Museum

Holywood

Address

153 Bangor Road, Cultra, Holywood, County Down, BT18 0EU

Telephone
02890428428

info@nationalmuseumsni.org

Price
Price £5.50 to £9.90 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Family Fun

Celebrating the 20th year of Northern Ireland's largest Model railway event.

Dates

Price
Price £5.50 to £9.90 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Strangford Lough Viking Festival - Herbs for Health - Part 2 - Runic wisdom

Strangford

Address

Strangford Castle, Castle Street, Strangford, County Down, BT30 7NE

Telephone
+44 (0) 33 0137 4046

events@lakesvikings.com

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Food & Drink

A Master Herbalist, will talk about the healing power of herbs since Viking times and how to apply the knowledge today. On the simplest level, Runes are symbols that were used by Vikings and the Germanic peoples of northern Europe.

Dates

Price
Free

More Info
NewQuay

Newtownards

Address

21 Newcastle Road, Portaferry, Newtownards, Co Down, BT22 1QQ

Telephone
+44 (0) 7712183088

n.mcclure@qub.ac.uk

Type

Type:

Self-Catering

More Info
The Courtyard

Donaghadee

Address

Church Lane, 3 The Courtyard, Donaghadee, Co Down, BT21 0FD

Telephone
+44 (0) 7792 062835

Tracyktaylor65@aol.com

Type

Type:

Self-Catering

The Courtyard in the coastal historic town of Donaghadee County Down 20 miles from Belfast and 6 miles from Bangor. It is a modern 2 bedroom ground floor apartment centrally located 2 minutes walk from local cafes/restaurants and harbour seafront…

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Facilities

Leisure Facilities
- Wifi
Alexandria House

Donaghadee

Address

Alexandria House, 228 Killaughey Road, Donaghadee, Co Down, BT21 0LJ

Telephone
+44 (0) 7974 204436

gnar.butler@hotmail.co.uk

Type

Type:

Self-Catering

Large and well equipped farm house ideal for family gathering, located a short drive from the historic and beautiful seaside town of Donaghadee within easy reach of Bangor, Newtownards and Belfast. Comprises litchen, utility room, sun room, patio,…

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Dogs Welcome Inside - On ground floor only.
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
- Parking (free)
Facilities

Room / Unit Features
- TV In Bedrooms - Only in principal bed room
Facilities

Leisure Facilities
- Wifi - Not throughout property but Mini-hub for use where required
Strangford Lough Viking Festival - Coppersmithing Workshop With Lake and Oak, Sat 12noon

(on the green area after Exploris), Portaferry

Address

The Viking Encampment, The Ropewalk, off Castle Street, (on the green area after Exploris), Portaferry, County Down, BT22 1NZ

Telephone
028 9182 6846

Price
Price £20.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Workshop

Make your own leaf pendant, Viking brooch or a cuff.

Dates

Price
Price £20.00 Per Ticket

More Info
The Boys Brigade Museum Heritage Museum EHOD 2023

Millisle

Address

Ganaway Training & Activity Centre, Millisle, County Down, BT22 2LZ

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9082 3207

ehod@communities-ni.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

EHOD (European Heritage Open Days)

The Boys' Brigade Heritage Museum holds a vast range of Boys' Brigade archive materials including photographs, BB Memorabilia, together with displays of items of historical interest to the area where the Museum is located.

Dates

Price
Free

More Info
Atrium Apartment A

Bangor

Address

1st And 2nd Floors, 57 High Street, Bangor, Co Down, BT20 5BE

Telephone
+44 (0) 7973 940 270

colummccloskey@googlemail.com

Type

Type:

Self-Catering

The newly renovated, first-floor Atrium Apartment is situated in the heart of the popular seaside town of Bangor. It is within a two minute walk of the celebrated marina and beautiful coastal paths. A great location to explore Northern Ireland.

More Info
Kiltonga Nature Reserve

Newtownards

Address

Belfast Road, Newtownards, County Down, BT23 4TT

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9182 6846

ardsvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Nature and Wildlife

In July 2000, Kiltonga Nature Reserve became the first site in the UK to be awarded BT Millennium Miles Status. Almost 1000 metres of walkway were upgraded to enable disabled access to the reserve.

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Distiller's Rest Café

Kircubbin

Address

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

Telephone
+44 (0)28 4273 8597

info@echlinville.com

Type

Type:

Café

Enjoy tea, coffee, sweet treats and walking trails at The Distiller's Rest Café on The Echlinville Distillery Estate. Everyone Welcome.

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2024to31 Dec 2024Various Opening Times

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Dogs Welcome Inside
Catering
- Dogs Accepted Inside
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- Car parking
- On site parking
- Parking (free)
Facilities

Leisure Facilities
- Wifi