Saturday 18 July – Friday 24 July
Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 July, Family Fun at Cockle Row Cottages
Groomsport Harbour
Free entertainment, 2pm-4pm.
Sat 18: Louie the Magician and Caricaturist
Sun 19: Clayrazy, Children’s Crafts, Ulster-Scots Agency Entertainment
Cottages open to the public 11am-5pm. Free admission
Info: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069, bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com
Sunday 19 July, Live Music at the Bandstand
Ward Park, Bangor
Free entertainment, 3pm – 5pm
Join us for the summer season of FREE live music every Sunday in Ward Park, with a fantastic line up of eclectic music that everyone is sure to enjoy.
This week’s act: The Russian Dolls (Country Rock)
Info: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069, bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com
Sunday 19 July, Summer Band Concert
Conway Square, Newtownards
Free entertainment, 3pm – 4pm
Join us for the summer season of FREE band concerts every Sunday in Newtownards, Comber or Donaghadee.
This week’s band: Ards Silver Band
Info: Ards Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9182 6846, ardsvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com
Thursday 23 –Sunday 26 July, Donaghadee Ulster Scots Festival
Various Locations, Donaghadee
Celebrate the town’s strong Ulster-Scots heritage with an extensive programme of themed entertainment, including live music, a cookery masterclass, Living History Fayre and themed tours.
Info: Ards Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9182 6846, ardsvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com
Saturday 18 July, Nautical Past, Short Sea Cruise Belfast Lough
Tour departs from The Jetty, Bangor, 2pm
Tickets: £10
Discover the rich nautical history of Belfast Lough as you explore Bangor’s role in World War I and II
Info: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069, bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com
Sunday 19 July, Copeland Island Boat Tour
Departs from Donaghadee Harbour, 2pm
Tickets: £8 (Ad), £7 (Con), £4 (Ch)
Departing from Donaghadee your trip to Copeland Island will be enhanced by tails of those who have travelled across that stretch of water over the centuries.
Info: Ards Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9182 6846, ardsvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk visitardsandnorthdown.com
Sunday 19 July, Helens Bay in 2 World Wars: St Johns Church and Grey Point Fort
Tour departs from St John’s Church car park, Helens Bay, 2:30pm
Tickets: £3
This fascinating Tour of two of North Down’s hidden gems explores their strong connections to both World Wars.
Info: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069, bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com
Thursday 23 July, Newtownards Historical Walking Tour
Tour departs from Town Hall, Newtownards, 7:30pm
Tickets: £3
Discover the wealth of historical treasures Newtownards has to offer and how some of history’s most notable civilians including the Normans, Celts and Vikings shaped the town.
Info: Ards Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9182 6846, ardsvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk visitardsandnorthdown.com
Saturday 25 – Friday 31 July
Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 July, Family Fun at Cockle Row Cottages
Groomsport Harbour
Free entertainment, 2pm-4pm.
Sat 25: Plant & Play Garden Workshop & Crafts
Sun 26: Children’s Crafts, Archery, Ulster-Scots Agency Entertainment
Cottages open to the public 11am-5pm. Free admission
Info: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069, bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com
Sunday 26 July, Live Music at the Bandstand
Ward Park, Bangor
Free entertainment, 3pm – 5pm
Join us for the summer season of FREE live music every Sunday in Ward Park, with a fantastic line up of eclectic music that everyone is sure to enjoy.
This week’s act: Johnny and the Riviera (Swing, Jazz)
Info: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069, bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com
Sunday 26 July, Summer Band Concert
Comber Square
Free entertainment, 3pm – 4pm
Join us for the summer season of FREE band concerts every Sunday in Newtownards, Comber or Donaghadee.
This week’s band: Comber Silver Band
Info: Ards Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9182 6846, ardsvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com
Saturday 25 July, Kids Nature Trail, Castle Park, Bangor
Tour departs from North Down Museum, 10:30am
Tickets: Free
Learn about the natural habitat or the birds and animals who live in the picturesque grounds of Castle Park
Info: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069, bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com
Saturday 25 July, Strangford Lough Twilight Boat Tours
Tour departs from The Slipway, Portaferry, 6:30pm
Tickets: £8 (Ad), £7 (Con), £4 (Ch)
Find a little inner peace and harmony as you take an evening cruise across the beautiful Strangford Lough
Ards Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9182 6846, ardsvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk visitardsandnorthdown.com
Sunday 26 July, A Forenoon Aroon the Ards
Tour Departs from the Ards Visitor Information Centre, 1pm
Tickets: £18 (Ad), £16 (Con), £9 (Ch)
This Ulster-Scots tour of ‘the Ards’ traces the history of the 1606 Hamilton/Montgomery settlement. (Includes afternoon tea)
Ards Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9182 6846, ardsvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk visitardsandnorthdown.com
Sunday 26 July, Dander around the Dee
Tour departs from Pier 36, Donaghadee, 3pm
Tickets: £3
Step back through the ages with local historian Harry Allen as he leads you around the history-rich town of Donaghadee.
Ards Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9182 6846, ardsvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk visitardsandnorthdown.com
Exhibitions
North Down Museum, Bangor
Castle Park Avenue, located by Bangor Castle (Town Hall) BT20 4BT
T: 028 9127 1200. Admission Free
Thursday 2 July – Sunday 2 August
Here Comes The Bride – Come along and enjoy an exhibition of bridal dresses from over the decades, on loan to the Museum from local ladies.
Portaferry Visitor Information Centre
The Stables, Castle Street BT22 1NZ
T: 028 4272 9882. Admission Free
Tuesday 30 June – Wednesday 29 July
Maritime Exhibition by Portaferry and Strangford Trust – This exhibition will showcase the great maritime past of the ports of Portaferry and Strangford.
Saturday 4 – Saturday 25 July
Art in the Loft – ‘Portaferry Reflections’ – Portaferry Art Society’s annual exhibition.