Christmas in Ards and North Down promises to be more festive AND fun than ever before this year with a packed programme of events for everyone, plus a choice of high street favourites, speciality shops and unique local craft fairs where you can purchase the perfect gift for someone special.
With support from local traders, Ards and North Down Borough Council officially launched its festive AND fun campaign today (12 November) with a seasonal online video that depicts a young girl’s dreams of the borough being transformed into a magical Christmas wonderland. The video features Santa’s special helper in Ards and North Down, Bubbles (the Elf), who magically lights up each of the borough’s five towns – Bangor, Newtownards, Holywood, Comber and Donaghadee – ready for all the festive fun ahead.
The video can be viewed on the Council’s Facebook page, where you can also access information about upcoming events and promotions. And the fun doesn’t end there. Throughout the festive AND fun period there will be competitions, opportunities to participate in more videos and lots of other festive Facebook joviality.
Speaking at the launch Mayor of Ards and North Down, Alderman Alan Graham, said:
“Ards and North Down is simply the best place to visit and shop this Christmas. The Council, in conjunction with all five local chambers of trade, will be delivering a superb programme of nearly 40 events across the borough to help residents and visitors prepare for, and celebrate, Christmas 2015. This includes Christmas light switch ons, a pop up ice skating rink, craft fayres, musical performances, a pantomime, Christmas movies and more. Bubbles the elf may make a special appearance at some of these – access our full events programme to make sure not to miss him!”
He continued: “Initiatives to encourage people to shop locally this Christmas will also feature. A ‘Borough Bus’ will travel between the area’s five towns, allowing passengers to stop off and enjoy an hour of Christmas shopping in each on Saturday 5 December. Special promotions will run in different towns on different days (check online for details).”
The first event of the season is the ever-popular Bangor Christmas switch on at its new sea front location at the McKee Clock, Queen’s Parade, Bangor on Saturday 21 November (5.30pm). A spectacular fireworks display will accompany the switch on. A special Christmas market, providing a sneak peak of the festive gifts and goodies on offer in Bangor shops, will also run on Saturday 21 from 11am – 7pm.
Find out more about all our events at visitardsandnorthdown.com. For festive pictures, updates and promotions ‘like us’ on Facebook.