Jacqueline from whatsonni.com shares her pick of What’s On this weekend across NI

Down

Follow the end of the rainbow to Solitude Park on Saturday 19th  March 2016 as Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council host a plentiful pot of free fun for everyone with the annual St. Patrick’s Family Fun Day. The craic gets underway at 2pm and runs until 4pm and features a host of music, activities and entertainment guaranteed to get you in the mood for a sensational St. Patrick’s party.

Armagh

Billed as the largest-ever St Patrick’s Festival of events to be held in the UK and Ireland, Armagh is in high gear with a jam-packed programme showcasing the best of culture, music, song and dance. Featuring family fun days, uplifting choral recitals and orchestral events, the Armagh and Downpatrick St. Patrick’s Festival features an enormous programme of activity for every age and interest. See armagh.co.uk for full programme.

Fermanagh

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Enniskillen with a free family day at the Lakeland Forum with special guests Ardglass Vikings and activities including face painting, bouncy castles, zorbs and singalongs with Elsa from Frozen plus lots of on-water entertainment from 1.30-3.30pm.  St. Patrick arrives at the Broadmeadow 2.30-2.45pm. Live Entertainment in town centre from 2.30pm. St. Patrick leads the parade from the Forum through the island town followed by this year’s Grand Marshals, Devenish Partnership Forum. 3.30pm onwards. As part of the NI Year of Food & Drink 2016 Fermanagh & Omagh District Council will host a Food Fayre in the Bridge Centre 11.00am – 4.00pm.

Tyrone

St Patrick’s Day in Ranfurly House, 17 March, admission free! 1pm – 4pm Music with Leah Jordan in La Scala Coffee House. 2pm – 5pm Face painting and Balloon modelling, 2.30pm – 5pm Arts and Crafts with Louise Campbell (Drop in activity).  Enjoy some live traditional music with John O’Neill on accordion and friends. Also providing music on the day are the young and talented musicians/singers Niamh and Ciara McCrystal, Beth Murray and Clara O’Hanlon.

Derry

The St Patrick’s Day Spring Carnival 2016 really is the stuff of legend! This year’s theme is ‘The Land Of The Little People’ covering a whole weekend of festivities. Derry City and Strabane District Council has sprinkled the fairy dust with four days of family-friendly events lined up from Thursday, March 17th until Sunday, March 20th.Highlights include the St Patrick’s Day Spring Carnival parades, Ubuntu Festival of World Traditions, LegenDerry Food Festival, Little Folk Fest, Pixies Paradise and much, much more to keep everyone entertained over the course of the holiday weekend.

Antrim

St Patrick’s Day Traditional Ballycastle & District Horse Ploughing Championship, Thursday 17th March.  Come along and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day enjoying the atmosphere, craic and skill of the many ploughmen taking part in this unique event. This popular, traditional ploughing match has been taking place in the Ballycastle area for over 100 years and attracts ploughmen from all over Ireland. A great day out for all the family. This event depends on weather conditions.

Belfast

St. Patrick’s Day Carnival Parade and Concert, March 17th. Belfast city centre will come alive this St. Patrick’s Day with a carnival parade for all the family to enjoy. The city centre will be awash with colour and splendour as the parade leaves Belfast City Hall at 12 noon, making its way to Custom House Square, where a free outdoor concert will take place hosted by Cool FM Presenters and featuring performances from Ben Haenow and Brian McFadden.
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