Friday 4 – Thursday 10 August
Friday 4 August, Craft in the Square
Conway Square, Newtownards
11am – 6pm | Free
See Conway Square transformed into a tented village full of local Artists and Craftspeople to celebrate the start of the annual Creative Peninsula Open Studio event.
Info: 028 9182 6846, visitardsandnorthdown.com
Friday 4 August, Music in the Courtyard
North Down Museum, Bangor
12noon – 2pm | Free
Chill out in the ambiance of lunchtime music performances, every Friday in August.
Info: 028 9127 1200, northdownmuseum.com
Friday 4 – Sunday 13 August, Creative Peninsula
Various locations
Open Studios, Studio Coach Tours, Exhibitions, Workshops, Demonstrations and more, all taking place throughout the beautiful and picturesque Ards and North Down Borough. See website for full event programme.
Info: 028 9182 6846, visitardsandnorthdown.com
Saturday 5 August, Kid’s “Mini-beasts” Nature Trail
Killynether Wood, Newtownards
10.30am-12.30pm | £2.50 per child
Join this fascinating interactive nature trail led by Patrick Cregg from the Woodland Trust and bird expert Dot Blakely
Info: 028 9127 0069, visitardsandnorthdown.com
Saturday 5 August, Family Fun at Portaferry Visitor Information Centre
The Stables, Castle Street, Portaferry
2pm – 4pm | Free
Bring the little ones along to Portaferry VIC for free family entertainment every Saturday in August.
Sat 5: Science Workshop and Glitter Tattoos
Info: 028 9182 6846, visitardsandnorthdown.com
Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 August, Family Fun at Cockle Row Cottages
Groomsport Harbour
2pm – 4pm | Free
Come along to Groomsport for free family fun every weekend from now until September.
Sat 5 Magic Show
Sun 6 CSI Workshop and Ulster-Scots Agency Entertainment
Cottages open 11am – 5pm
Info: 028 9127 0069, visitardsandnorthdown.com
Sunday 6 August, Summer Music in the Park
Ward Park, Bangor
3pm – 5pm | Free
Join us for live music every Sunday in August. This week, see The 19th Street Band deliver an exciting mix of red hot Americana, country and rock ‘n roll.
Info: 028 9127 0069, visitardsandnorthdown.com
Tuesday 8 August, Crafty Kids at North Down Museum
Castle Park Avenue, Bangor
10am – 12.30pm | £36
Treat the kids to a fun-filled week of Crafty fun for little hands. Early booking essential.
Info: 028 9127 1200, visitardsandnorthdown.com
Friday 11 – Thursday 17 August
Friday 11 August, Music in the Courtyard
North Down Museum, Bangor
12noon – 2pm | Free
Chill out in the ambiance of lunchtime music performances, every Friday in August
Info: 028 9127 1200, northdownmuseum.com
Friday 11 August, Fair weather Fridays
Conway Square, Newtownards
12.30 – 1.30pm | Free
With everything from music to circus performance and comedy, Conway Square will be the place to be in Ards on Fridays throughout August.
Info: 028 9181 0803, ardsarts.com
Saturday 12 August, Portavogie Seafood Festival
Portavogie Seafood Festival
12noon -5pm | Free
Come along for a superb family day out, including a cookery demo with celebrity chef Nick Nairn, Fish Market, maritime themed activities, a touch tank, Dizzylands Funfair and so much more!
Info: 028 9182 6846, visitardsandnorthdown.com
Saturday 12 August, Family Fun at Portaferry Visitor Information Centre
The Stables, Castle Street, Portaferry
2pm – 4pm | Free
Bring the little ones along to Portaferry VIC for free family entertainment every Saturday in August.
Sat 12: Doodlebugs Workshop
Info: 028 9182 6846, visitardsandnorthdown.com
Saturday 12 August, Strangford Lough Boat Trip
Portaferry
2pm-4pm | £10 (ad), £5 (ch)
Take time away from the fast pace of everyday life and enjoy the magnificent scenery and fascinating wildlife of Strangford Lough
Info: 028 9182 6846, visitardsandnorthdown.com
Saturday 12 – Sunday 13 August, Family Fun at Cockle Row Cottages
Groomsport Harbour
2pm – 4pm | Free
Come along to Groomsport for free family fun every weekend from now until September.
Sat 12 Bricks4kidz Lego Workshop and Children’s Crafts
Sun 13 ‘Tales of the Wild’ Animal Roadshow, Traditional Crafts and Ulster-Scots Agency Entertainment
Info: 028 9127 0069, visitardsandnorthdown.com
Sunday 13 August, Summer Music in the Park
Ward Park, Bangor
3pm – 5pm | Free
Join us for live music every Sunday in August. This week, see Tony Villiers and The Villains play a unique blend of folk-blues originals, influenced by Jonny Cash, Bob Dylan and Woody Guthrie.
Info: 028 9127 0069, visitardsandnorthdown.com
Wednesday 16 August, Kids Nature Trail
Castle Park, Bangor
10.30am-12.30pm | £2.50
Join this fascinating interactive nature trail, led by Patrick Cregg from the Woodland Trust and bird expert Dot Blakely.
Info: 028 9127 0069, visitardsandnorthdown.com
Wednesday 16 August, Bangor Castle Walled Garden Tour
Walled Garden, Bangor
6.30pm-8.30pm | Free (Booking Required)
This popular guided tour provides an insight into the garden’s history, its restoration and the vast array of plants, fruits and vegetables which are grown there.
Info: 028 9127 0069, visitardsandnorthdown.com
Exhibitions
Portaferry Visitor Information Centre
The Stables, Castle Street, BT22 1NZ
T: 028 4272 9882
Saturday 5 – Sunday 27 August
Art in the Loft: ‘The Language of Pain’
An exhibition by the Martin family addressing the hidden side of pain
North Down Museum, Bangor
Castle Park Avenue, located by Bangor Castle (Town Hall), BT20 4BT
T: 028 9127 1200 | northdownmuseum.com
Until Sunday 20 August
The Lay of the Land Exhibition
Bangor based artists draw on their experiences of living and working within the beautiful borough of Ards and North Down.
Wednesday 2 August – Sunday 3 September
Creative Peninsula
A celebration of the exclusivity and quality of the artwork produced by local artists and craftspeople
Ards Crafts and Visitor Information Centre
31 Regent Street, Newtownards, BT23 4AD
T: 028 9182 6846
Saturday 5 – Saturday 26 August
Meet the Maker: ‘Natural Impressions’
A collaborative exhibition by Printmaker Michael Geddis and Ceramicist Andrew Cooke
Ards Arts Centre
Town Hall, Conway Square, Newtownards, BT23 4NP
T: 028 9181 0803
Wednesday 2 – Thursday 31 August
Creative Peninsula
A showcase of the high concentration of artists and craft persons living and working in the Ards Peninsula