DiscoverNorthernIreland.com has stacks of fun things to do across NI, from family days out to gigs and cultural events. Here are ten exciting things taking place this week (9 – 15 July)

 

1. Portaferry Gala Festival, Co. Down, 14-20 July. The 51st Annual Portaferry Gala Festival offers something for everyone. Enjoy fancy dress, pitching the sheaf, live music, treasure trails and much more. The annual float parade will be held on Friday 20 July.
2. Parklife, Lisburn, 7 – 28 July. Parklife brings heaps of family fun to Wallace Park, including drama, dance, crafts and sporting activities for everyone to enjoy. All events are free and encourage people to reclaim their open spaces and celebrate their shared cultural heritage and identity.
3. Dalriada Festival, Glenarm, 14 – 21 July.  The Dalriada Festival has a varied programme of events including Europe’s Strongest Man, live wrestling and pipe band championships. The festival offers numerous music and dance stages including performances from Bay City Rollers, Ronan Keating and Nathan Carter. Craft and food stalls, exhibitions and children’s entertainment will also be available.
4. Castlewellan Agricultural Show, Co. Down, 14 July. Set across 50 acres in the beautiful surroundings of Castlewellan Forest Park, the show features classes for a variety of farm animals along with dog agility and home industries. Food and craft producers showcase their wares on a wide range of trade stands alongside live music, vintage tractors, young farmers competitions and children’s amusements.
5. MK, KC Lights, Will Clarke & more, Belfast, 14 July.  MK (Marc Kinchen) is set for a return to Belfast this summer, touching down at Northern Ireland’s acclaimed warehouse events space, The Telegraph Building. This house music superstar will be joined by a range of support acts including Bangor’s Themm and Coach regular Tommy McCoy.
6. Foyle Maritime Festival, Derry~Londonderry, 14-22 July. The Foyle Maritime Festival returns and will host the stopover of the Clipper Race 2017-18 as it near the end of their its the world journey.  Queens Quay will once again be transformed into a maritime wonderland full of fun, activities, music, arts and crafts as the city prepares to welcome the Clipper Race yachts back.
7. Shark Awareness Day at Exploris Aquarium, Co. Down, 14 July. Swim down to Exploris and develop your knowledge of this amazing species. Learn all about their blacktip reef sharks and have lots of fun with some shark themed activities, as well as open pool demonstrations.
8. Babcock & Bobbins on the Prom, Newcastle, 14 July. Performing their fairly traditional circus show at Newcastle Promenade, Babcock & Bobbins provide a good mix of slapstick comedy and circus skills including fire juggling, giraffe unicycle, stilt walking, rola bola and fire breathing.
9. Orangefest – Twelfth of July Celebrations, Belfast, 12 July. The Twelfth celebrations showcase aspects of Ulster’s rich heritage and culture such as marching bands, fife and drums, flute music and the resonant sound of Ulster’s unique Lambeg drum.
10. Open-Air Theatre – Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Enniskillen, 14 July. Take a trip down the rabbit hole with Chapterhouse Theatre Company this summer as they present the classic tale of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland at Enniskillen Castle. Presented in beautiful Victorian costume and alive with song, dance and original music, this is a production to delight the entire family.

 

For more information on these events or to plan a short break in Northern Ireland, visit  www.DiscoverNorthernIreland.com.