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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) 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.

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The Game’s Afoot (Holmes For The Holidays)

Bangor

Address

Studio 1a, 1 Hamilton Road, Bangor, County Down, BT20 4JP

Telephone
+44 (0)28 9127 0069

Price
Price £13.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Play

Bangor Drama Club invites you to try to solve a farcical murder mystery that is stumping the greatest Sherlock Holmes wannabe, the famed actor, William Gillette. Gillette leads his band of actors on a wild romp trying to work out who dunnit. Can…

Dates

Price
Price £13.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Easter Market Fresh

Bangor

Address

The Promenade, Bangor Marina, Queens Parade, Bangor, Down, BT20 3BJ

Telephone
07546 771 269

marketfreshbangor19@gmail.com

Type

Type:

Markets / Fairs

Artisan and variety stalls will line the promenade overlooking Bangor Marina from the fun fair towards Pickie Fun Park.
Easter Saturday 30th March and Easter Monday 1st April 11am - 3pm

Dates

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Kirkistown Point-to-Point Races

Portavogie

Address

Kirkistown, Portavogie, County Down, BT22 1AF

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9263 9321

info@p2p.ie

Price
Price £10.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Sport

The North County Down Hunt host three point-to-points during the season, an Autumn fixture and two Spring fixtures. Point-to-points are horse racing in its purist form and you will often hear it described as the grassroots of horse racing in Ireland…

Dates

Price
Price £10.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Anthony Toner

Portaferry

Address

The Portico of Ards, Steel Dickson Avenue, Portaferry, County Down, BT22 1LE

Telephone
028 4272 8808

verity@porticoards.com

Price
Price £15.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Concert

Anthony Toner returns to the Portico of Ards for the first time since 2019, to celebrate the release of Ghost Notes Vol 2, a brand new collection of cover songs (written by everyone from Randy Newman to King Crimson), rendered in his usual warm,…

Dates

Price
Price £15.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Singing Workshop with Peter Corry

Portaferry

Address

The Portico of Ards, Steel Dickson Avenue, Portaferry, County Down, BT22 1LE

Telephone
028 4272 8808

verity@porticoards.com

Price
Price £10.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Workshop

Love to sing?
Peter Corry, star of the West End, has kindly agreed to deliver a two-hour singing workshop for anyone of any ability to come along and get some tips on how to improve their performance.
Places are limited so book early to avoid…

Dates

Price
Price £10.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
City Church Bangor Brick Show

Bangor

Address

City Church, Main Street, Bangor, Co Down, BT20 4AG

Telephone
07501 482 776

ian.marshall@fjones.com

Price
Price £3.00 to £12.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Exhibition

On Saturday the 23rd of March City Church Bangor are holding a Brick Show for all those Lego fans.

Dates

Price
Price £3.00 to £12.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Music by Queen with Flash Harry Band

Comber

Address

Parkway, Comber, County Down, BT23 5JX

Telephone
+44(0)7745 389 561

Roy.murray1@hotmail.com

Price
Price £10.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Concert

Open air concert with No1 Tribute Act Flash Harry's with the music of Queen

Dates

Price
Price £10.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Shore Cottage

Newtownards

Address

88 Shore Road, Ballyhalbert, Newtownards, Co Down, BT22 1BJ

Telephone
+44 (0) 7749 324 676

jld_bhd@msn.com

Type

Type:

Self-Catering

More Info
Paddle and Pizza on Strangford Lough

Killinchy

Address

52A Ballyorran Road, Killinchy, County Down, BT23 6UD

Telephone
+44 (0) 7711 484 850

info@traceysfarmhousekitchen.com

Price
Price £60.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Food & Drink

Master the basics of staying afloat on a stand-up paddleboard and tour around the beautiful little islands on Strangford Lough. Afterwards. once you’ve worked up an appetite enjoy homemade pizza prepared by Tracey and Joe in their alfresco pizza…

Dates

From:
4 May 2024
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25 May 2024
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26 May 2024
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8 June 2024
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6 July 2024
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7 July 2024
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21 July 2024
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24 July 2024
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26 July 2024
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27 July 2024
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4 Aug 2024
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7 Aug 2024
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11 Aug 2024
From:
24 Aug 2024

Price
Price £60.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- Car parking
Ards Airfield

Newtownards

Address

Ulster Flying Club, 61 Portaferry Road, Newtownards, County Down, BT23 8SG

Telephone
028 9181 3327

fly@ulsterflyingclub.com

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Aviation event

Young Aviators Day at Newtownards Airfield for 12-16 year olds.
Primary Activities:
• Aircraft & Airport Tours
• Learn the basics of pre-flight checks
• From Private Pilots Licence to Commercial Pilots Licence
• Weather Challenges
• Meet the…

Dates

From:
15 July 2024Open 10:15 - 16:15

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Andrew Ryan: Let Me Know How You Get On

Portaferry

Address

The Portico of Ards, Portaferry, Portaferry, County Down, BT22 1LE

Telephone
028 4272 8808

verity@porticoards.com

Price
Price £16.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Comedy

'Utterly Brilliant' **** ( Timeout).
Andrew is finally living the life he always thought he would after moving to Belfast and he's taking his hilarious tales of woe and ineptitude on tour across the UK and Ireland this Autumn. He's stopped…

Dates

From:
21 Sept 2024Open 19:30 - 21:30

Price
Price £16.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Serenade to Music: the Ulster Consort

Portaferry

Address

The Portico of Ards, Steel Dickson Avenue, Portaferry, County Down, BT22 1LE

Telephone
028 4272 8808

Verity@porticoards.com

Price
Price £5.00 to £20.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Concert

Serenade to Music: A Celebration of British and Irish Music
A celebration of British and Irish music with the Ulster Consort accompanied by organist Tristan Russcher and conducted by Matthew Owens.
The Ulster Consort, which made its debut with a…

Dates

Price
Price £5.00 to £20.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Cappella Caeciliana: The Magic of Christmas

Portaferry

Address

The Portico of Ards, Steel Dickson Avenue, Portaferry, County Down, BT22 1LE

Telephone
028 4272 8808

Verity@porticoards.com

Price
Price £5.00 to £15.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Concert

Leading Northern Ireland choir Cappella Caeciliana returns to Portico to present a concert celebrating the magic of Christmas.
Under their Musical Director Matthew Quinn they will perform a wide range of seasonal music, mixing old favourites with…

Dates

Price
Price £5.00 to £15.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Valentine's Pottery Painting - SOLD OUT

Millise

Address

Eden Pottery, 218a Abbey Road, Millise, County Down, BT22 2DH

Telephone
028 9186 2300

sales@edenpotteryshop.co.uk

Price
Price £62.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Workshop

An exclusive experience at Eden on a Sunday afternoon....

Dates

Price
Price £62.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Spring Equinox Family We-Treat

Bangor

Address

2B Castle Square, Bangor, Bangor, Down, BT20 4SR

Telephone
07865942165

riseandshineni@mail.com

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Nature

Family Yoga, Craft & Nature Wellbeing Event

Dates

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Paddy McDonnell: Stories SECOND NIGHT!

Portaferry

Address

The Portico of Ards, Steel Dickson Avenue, Portaferry, County Down, BT22 1LE

Telephone
028 4272 8808

verity@porticoards.com

Price
Price £16.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Comedy

Second night added - get in quick!

Dates

Price
Price £16.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
LUX Beginners Jewellery Making Workshop

Holywood

Address

Holywood, County Down, BT180NJ

Telephone
+44 (0) 7879 698 286

ruth@nisilver.com

Type

Type:

Workshop

LUX Beginners Jewellery Making Workshops in a working Goldsmiths studio followed by some quality relaxation time in her home overlooking Belfast Lough, sipping on non alcoholic NI Silver gin (or Prosecco) with your lovely box of chocolates before…

Dates

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking - Parking Free on public pavement between two drives. Please do not park outside neighbours properties or on our private drive as this needs to be kept clear at all times. Thanks
Réalta

Portaferry

Address

The Portico of Ards, Steel Dickson Avenue, Portaferry, County Down, BT22 1LE

Telephone
028 4272 8808

verity@porticoards.com

Price
Price £20.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Concert

Traditional Irish music by Réalta is joyous, energetic, foot-stomping, unforgettable and unmissable!
Réalta, the dynamic Ulster-based Irish traditional group, have delivered their eagerly anticipated third studio album, Thing Of The Earth. The band…

Dates

Price
Price £20.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Magical Musical Creatures (and where to find them)

Portaferry

Address

The Portico of Ards, Steel Dickson Avenue, Portaferry, County Down, BT22 1LE

Telephone
028 4272 8808

verity@porticoards.com

Price
Price £8.00 to £10.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Concert

Interactive family fun! No musical experience required - just bring enthusiasm!
This is an interactive concert for children based on the theme of Magical Creatures and exploring how music can bring this to life.

Dates

Price
Price £8.00 to £10.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Aspects Festival

Bangor

Address

Various Locations around Bangor, Bangor, County Down, BT20 4BT

Telephone
+44 (0)28 9127 1200

arts@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Festival

This year's Aspects Festival brings to you an exciting mix of events, from memoir to poetry, history to prose, all celebrating reading and writing. Whatever your interest, there are events that will challenge, teach and entertain.

Dates

Price
Free

More Info