Find out What’s On in Ards and North Down in June.

Sat 20 June – Friday 26 June

Saturday 20 June, Strangford Upper Lough Boat Tour

Tour departs from The Slipway, Portaferry

Tickets: £8 (Ad), £7 (Conc), £4 (Ch)

Take time away from the fast pace of everyday life and experience the serenity of a trip around the beautiful and mystical Strangford Lough.

Info: Ards Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9182 6846, ardsvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 June, Family Fun at Cockle Row Cottages

Groomsport Harbour

Free entertainment, 2pm-4pm.

Sat 20: Science Show: ‘Cool Vibrations’

Sun 21: Plant and Play Garden Workshop & Crafts

Cottages open to the public 11am-5pm. Free admission

Info: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069, bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Sunday 21 June, World Music Day

Project 24, Queens Parade, Bangor

Free entertainment, 2pm – 4pm

Beyond Skin and Project 24 presents traditional drum and dance from West Africa. The prestigious Ghanaian group ‘Akrowa’ will be visiting Northern Ireland to host this Interactive Music Experience. The event is funded by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland & Ards and North Down Borough Council.

INFO: project24ni.com

Friday 26 June, Ards Half Marathon and Walk

Ards Leisure Centre (Start and Finish)

Marathon entry fees vary.  Free to spectate.

Start Time: 6.30pm

Info: Ards Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9182 6846, ardsvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Sat 27 June – Friday 3 July

Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 June, Sea Bangor Festival

Bangor Seafront

Free admission

Time: Sat 10am – 6pm, Sun 12noon – 6pm

Sea Bangor Maritime Festival returns with a fantastic line up of entertainment, food galore, children’s fun, a Tall Ship, the ‘Great Bangor Bake Off’ and Twister Aerobatic Displays to mention just a few of the highlights of this superb weekend event.

Info: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069, bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 June, Family Fun at Cockle Row Cottages

Groomsport Harbour

Free entertainment, 2pm-4pm.

Sat 27: Archery, Face Painting

Sun 28: Glitter Tattoos, Children’s Crafts

Cottages open to the public 11am-5pm. Free admission

Info: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069, bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Sunday 28 June, Historic Bangor (Walking Tour)

Tour departs from Bangor VIC

Tickets: £3

Join us on a walk through the past discovering the varied history of Bangor. From bronze age settlements and the establishment of Bangor Abbey through Viking invasions and 2 World Wars to Bangor’s emergence as a prominent seaside town.

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 and 6pm

Cost: Tickets £7 (Ad), £5 (Ch). Pre-booking essential

Watch the fabulous characters from the celebrated novel by David Williams 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

North Down Museum, Bangor

Castle Park Avenue, located by Bangor Castle (Town Hall) BT20 4BT

T: 028 9127 1200. Admission Free

Wednesday 20 May – Sunday 28 June

The Bell Tolls for Thee : 9th Century Christian Bells Exhibition. This exhibition has been funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Tuesday 2 – Sunday 28 June

A Walk Around Portavoe Reservoir : Art Exhibition

Bangor Castle Walled Garden

Castle Park, Bangor, BT20 4UT

T: 028 9127 0069. Admission Free

Saturday 6 – Sunday 28 June

Ards and North Down Borough Council are delighted to announce the return of ForM sculpture exhibition. The sculptures, inspired by the garden, will give visitors a unique experience and the opportunity to see art in a different context.

Portaferry Visitor Information Centre

The Stables, Castle Street BT22 1NZ

T: 028 4272 9882. Admission Free

Saturday 6 – Saturday 27 June

Art in the Loft – “Ash artefacts” – Ceramics by a collective of unique and diverse local artists and makers.