The official website of Visit Ards and North Down

You are here: What's on > Event Highlights

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) and Ards and North Down Borough Council are pleased host the United Kingdom Pipe Band Championships on Saturday 18 May in the Ward Arras area of Ward Park, off Gransha Road. 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, working in partnership with the Holywood District Community 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: 753

, currently showing 501 to 520.

Sort By A-Z Lowest A-Z Highest

Seal Bay Cottage

Newtownards

Address

Ballywalter Road, 4 Ballyhaskin Cottages, Millisle, Newtownards, Co Down, BT22 2JP

Telephone
+44 (0) 7977 414 404

Paul@yogen.co

Type

Type:

Self-Catering

Fully renovated in 2020/21, our aim was to deliver the comforts of modern living but as a beach house, it's all about getting outdoors and enjoying the large garden, quiet beach and of course a base to experience the beautiful Ards peninsula.

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Dogs Welcome Inside
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Facilities

Leisure Facilities
- Wifi
Irish Spirits & Chocolate - Meet the Makers at The Echlinville Distillery

Kircubbin

Address

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

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4273 8597

info@echlinville.com

Price
Price £55.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Tour

Spirits & Chocolate tasting, truffle making experience. You will also learn to make your own chocolate truffles guided by Geri, The Chocolate Manor’s own Chocolatier.

Dates

Price
Price £55.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Temple of the Winds - Winter Solstice - Sound Healing Retreat and Workshop

Newtownards

Address

Mount Stewart House and Gardens, Portaferry Road, Newtownards, County Down, BT22 2AD

Telephone
0344 2491895

mountstewart@nationaltrust.org.uk

Price
Price £47.50 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Workshop

Join Tessa Ann from The Sound Healing Spa for this Winter Solstice 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
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Leon McCawley

Portaferry

Address

The Portico of Ards, Meetinghouse Street, Portaferry, Down, BT22 1LE

Telephone
028 4272 8808

Verity@porticoards.com

Price
Price £10.00 to £20.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Concert

"One of today's most impeccably musical pianists." International Piano, January/February 2021
Praised for his unfailingly communicative playing, British pianist Leon McCawley has been delighting audiences worldwide since winning first prize in the…

Dates

Price
Price £10.00 to £20.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Strangford Lough Viking Festival - Mead Making Workshop 2pm

Portaferry

Address

The Narrows, 8 Shore Road, Portaferry, County Down, BT22 1JY

Telephone
028 9182 6846

magnusvikings@gmail.com

Price
Price £30.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Food & Drink

Come along and make your own demijohn of Viking mead, under the instruction of local foraging and hedgerow cuisine tutor Alison McGrenaghan and Norway's own Oddgeir Lutzen.

Dates

Price
Price £30.00 Per Ticket

More Info
'Nature' by Boom Studios at WWT Castle Espie

Comber

Address

78 Ballydrain Road, Comber, County Down, BT23 6EA

Telephone
+44 (0)28 9187 4146

info.castleespie@wwt.org.uk

Type

Type:

Exhibition

Boom Studio's resident artists are excited to launch the Spring studio exhibition at WWT Castle Espie from 1st-23rd April. Titled "Nature", each artist has created pieces in response to what nature means to them, and as a group the artworks vary in…

Dates

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Glide with the Tide

Killinchy

Address

Mobile Team Adventure, Whiterock, Killinchy, County Down, BT23 6QB

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9064 6695

info@mobileteamadventure.co.uk

Type

Type:

Canoeing & Kayaking

Taking out a kayak is beautiful way to explore Strangford Lough. Down at water level, you are in tune with the tides, time of day and weather conditions. Gliding softly brings you closer to the lough’s wildlife, including seal pups and wild geese.

More Info
Strangford Lough Activity Centre

Killinchy

Address

40 Whiterock Road, Killinchy, County Down, BT23 6PT

Telephone
+44 (0) 7909 721 898

strangfordloughactivitycentre@hotmail.co.uk

Type

Type:

Activity Centre

Strangford Lough Activity Centre offer a variety of land and water activities throughout Northern Ireland. Whatever your adventure, we’ll help you realise it. We are run by a team of qualified experienced instructors & guides.

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
- Parking (free)
Night at the Aquarium Food and Tour Experience

Portaferry

Address

Exploris Aquarium, 1 The Rope Walk, Castle Street, Portaferry, County Down, BT22 1NZ

Telephone
028 4272 8062

info@explorisni.com

Price
Price £24.95 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Food & Drink

A Food and Tour Experience

Dates

Price
Price £24.95 Per Ticket

More Info
Homes in Focus: Magheragallan Byre Dwelling

Holywood

Address

Ulster Folk Museum, 153 Bangor Road, Holywood, County Down, BT18 0EU

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9042 8428

info@nationalmuseumsni.org

Price
Price £11.50 to £24.50 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Talks/Lectures

A series of intimate curator talks that take place in the beautiful buildings of Ulster Folk Museum

Dates

Price
Price £11.50 to £24.50 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Autumn Woodland Walk

Comber

Address

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

Telephone
028 9187 4146

info.castleespie@wwt.org.uk

Type

Type:

Nature

Join our guide for a delightful dander in our woodland this weekend.

Dates

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Making Christmas: Rag Wreaths - Sold Out

Holywood

Address

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

Telephone
02890428428

info@nationalmuseumsni.org

Price
Price £35.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Christmas Events

Make your very own Christmas wreath using sustainable rag materials

Dates

Price
Price £35.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Guided History Tour of Groomsport EHOD 2023

Groomsport

Address

Cockle Row Cottages, 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)

Discover Groomsport's tour of Groomsport covers the varied history of the village, including the voyage of the Eagle Wing on 9th September 1636 – the first attempt by Ulster-Scots folk to emigrate to America. The tour will include significant…

Dates

Price
Free

More Info
The Ell at 15A Islandhill Road

Newtownards

Address

15A Islandhill Road, Millisle, Newtownards, Co Down, BT22 2BS

jclairewaite@googlemail.com

Type

Type:

Self-Catering

The Ell is situated off a quiet country lane, providing privacy and peace, an ideal location to explore the Ards Peninsular, including sites and locations such as Eden Pottery, Ballycopeland Windmill and Mount Stewart, as well as further afield to…

More Info
Facilities

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

Leisure Facilities
- Wifi
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
Picture House Past Day

Holywood

Address

Ulster Folk Museum, 153 Bangor Road, Cultra, Holywood, County Down, BT18 0EU

Telephone
02890428428

info@nationalmuseumsni.org

Price
Price £11.50 to £32.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Family Fun

Celebrate Northern Ireland's picture house past with a day packed with screenings, talks and activities.

Dates

Price
Price £11.50 to £32.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Plaza Suite 61B

Bangor

Address

63 High Street, Bangor, Co Down, BT20 5BE

Telephone
+44 (0) 7973 940270

colummccloskey@googlemail.com

Type

Type:

Self-Catering

Plaza B apartment is fitted with 3 bedrooms, a kitchen with a fridge and an oven, a flat-screen TV, a seating area and 2 bathrooms fitted with a shower. Towels and bed linen are offered in the apartment. It is located on the busy High Street in…

More Info
Bramble Cottage

Newtownards

Address

21b Magherascouse Road, Comber, Newtownards, Down, BT23 5RT

Telephone
+44 (0) 7828 799 127

Karen.walker@live.co.uk

Type

Type:

Self-Catering

Bramble Cottage, hidden gem in Comber near Belfast. Relax and enjoy this beautiful Irish barn conversion that dates back 200 years. Converted in 2023, this old Irish traditional barn is just 10 miles from Belfast and 2 miles from the busy market…

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Dogs Welcome Inside
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- Parking (free)
Bags of Style

Holywood

Address

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

Telephone
02890428428

info@nationalmuseumsni.org

Price
Price £25.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Workshop

Join the Ulster Folk Museum's textile curator, Valerie Wilson, for this one day practical sewing workshop. With Valerie's guidance you will create a bag using linen fabric and decorative trims.

Dates

Price
Price £25.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Scrabo Golf Club

Newtownards

Address

233 Scrabo Road, Newtownards, County Down, BT23 4SL

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9181 2355

admin@scrabogc.co.uk

Type

Type:

Parkland Golf Course

Scrabo, set in the shadow of its famous tower, has its own unique personality and is a favourite amongst Northern Ireland golfers. The course offers magnificent views over Strangford Lough and the Mourne Mountains.

More Info
Facilities

Catering
- Restaurant on site