Sat 2 May to Fri 8 May
Saturday 2 May, Copeland Island Bird Observatory Tour
Tickets: £12/£10 (Children under 14 accompanied by adult £6), pre-booking essential. Starts 1pm.
This trip to ‘Bird Isle’, home of the Bird Observatory, is a treat for amateur ornithologists, wildlife enthusiasts, and plant lovers alike.
Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069
Ards Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9182 6846
Saturday 2 & Sunday 3 May, Family Fun at Cockle Row Cottages
Groomsport Harbour
Free entertainment, 2pm-4pm.
Sat 2: Science Show: ‘Gold and Gem Panning’, Children’s Crafts
Sun 3: Plant and Play: ‘Make your own Fairy Garden’ Workshop
Cottages open to the public 11am-5pm. Free admission
Info: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069, bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com
Sunday 3 May, Hysterical Historics Newtownards Walking Tour
Tickets: £6/£5 concession (Children under 14 accompanied by adult £3), pre-booking essential. Starts 2pm.
Take a ‘hysterical history’ lesson for the whole family as you encounter murky and macabre characters from across the centuries in unexpected corners
of Newtownards Town Centre. Kids and grown-ups alike will love this hysterical twist on tales from the Ards.
Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069
Ards Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9182 6846
Sunday 3 May, Historic Holywood and Ulster-Scots Walk
Tickets: £3, pre-booking essential. Starts 2.30pm.
Enjoy an informative stroll through Holywood’s colourful history.
Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069
Ards Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9182 6846
Monday 4 May – Bank Holiday Monday
Merry May Day, Holywood Town Centre
Free event, 10am-4pm
Family fun for all! Traditional Maypole Dancing, Children’s Fancy Dress Competition, Food and Charity Stalls, highlight of the event is a performance by the Monster Ceilidh Band perform an
infectious blend that fuses UK folk, with drum & bass.
Info: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069, bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com
Monday 4 May, ‘Happy Bank Holiday’ – Fun children’s Activities
Portaferry Visitor Information Centre
Free event, 2pm-4pm
Keep the children entertained on May Bank Holiday with free art and crafts activities for children.
Info: Portaferry Visitor Information Centre, (028) 4272 9882, ardsvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com
Monday 4 May, WW1 Children’s Craft Workshops
North Down Museum, Bangor
Free, 12noon-2pm. Pre-booking essential.
Design your own postcards to send home from the trenches and create a special gift to send to your loved ones.
Info: North Down Museum, (028) 9127 1200, museum@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, northdownmuseum.com
Sat 9 May to Fri 15 May
Saturday 9 May, VE Day Commemorations
Bangor
11am Short wreath laying service at Ward Park
2.30pm Parade of over 500 veterans and servicing officers led by the Band of The Royal Irish Regiment, taking route from the Town Hall
Info: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069, bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com
Saturday 9 May, WW1 Children’s Craft Workshops
North Down Museum, Bangor
Free, 12noon-2pm. Pre-booking essential.
Design your own postcards to send home from the trenches and create a special gift to send to your loved ones.
Info: North Down Museum, (028) 9127 1200, museum@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, northdownmuseum.com
Saturday 9 & Sunday 10 May, Family Fun at Cockle Row Cottages
Groomsport Harbour
Free entertainment, 2pm-4pm.
Sat 9: Aldo’s Magic Show
Sun 10: Clayrazy, Face Painting
Cottages open to the public 11am-5pm. Free admission
Info: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069, bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com
Thursday 14 May, ‘The Unremarkable Death of Marilyn Monroe’ by Dyad Productions
Web Theatre, Newtownards
Tickets £10, Starts 8pm
To book: 028 9181 0803, Book online (ticketsource.co.uk/visitstrangfordlough)
Thursday 14 to Monday 18 May, Continental Market
McKee Clock Arena, Bangor
Thursday to Saturday 9am – 6pm, Sunday 10am – 4pm, Monday 9am – 6pm
A selection of stalls offering a wonderful range of foods and crafts from across Europe.
Info: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069, bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com
Tickets on sale now…
Wednesday 8 July and Thursday 9 July, Heartbreak Productions presents David Walliams’ ‘Mr Stink’
Bangor Castle Walled Garden
Shows: 2pm & 6pm
Cost: Tickets £7 (Ad), £5 (Ch). Pre-booking essential
Watch the fabulous characters from the celebrated novel by David Walliams come to life in Heartbreak Productions’ adaptation of Mr. Stink for the outdoor stage, working together with Ards and North Down Borough Council.
To book: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, 028 9127 0069; Ards Visitor Information Centre, 028 9182 6846; Book online (ticketsource.co.uk/visitstrangfordlough)
Exhibitions
Ards Crafts & Visitor Information Centre
31 Regent Street, Newtownards BT23 4AD
T: 028 9182 6846. Admission Free
Saturday 2 – Saturday 30 May
Meet the Maker: ‘Green Wood Works’
Green Woodworker Alexey Janes
North Down Museum, Bangor
Castle Park Avenue, located by Bangor Castle (Town Hall) BT20 4BT
T: 028 9127 1200. Admission Free
Tuesday 31 March – Thursday 30 April
Paintings: U3A Art Groups
Saturday 2 – Sunday 31 May
Historical Storyboard: Mining Heritage
Until Sunday 17 May
Exhibit: En-gauge with the past, history of the railway
Friday 1 May – Thursday 28 May
The Great War: Through the words of the County Down Spectator & Newtownards Chronicle
Portaferry Visitor Information Centre
The Stables, Castle Street BT22 1NZ
T: 028 4272 9882. Admission Free
Saturday 2 – Saturday 30 May
Art in the Loft: ‘Follow the Thread – From Ewe to You’ Fibre art by the Ulster Guild of Spinners, Weavers & Dyers