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 (29 July – 4 August)
1. Open House Festival, Bangor, 1-31 August. This festival is known for combining headline national and international artists with local musicians, writers, chefs and other creatives, and for curating bespoke events such as Folk on a Boat, Island Picnic and the Bangor Rocks Musical Bus Tour. It all adds up to a festival programme which truly offers something for everyone.
2. Yarnfolk Festival of Wool, Whitehead, 3 August. Yarnfolk Festival of Wool takes place in the beautiful seaside town of Whitehead. With over 40 local independent designers, dyers, wool spinners, felt makers, weavers and textile artists from all over the UK and Ireland there will be plenty for you to see and do.
3. Cairncastle Ulster Scots Bluegrass & Folk Cross Community Festival, Ballygally, 23-31 July. This year’s festival hosts cultural evenings and afternoon workshops at the Halfway House Hotel. Enjoy musicians, dancers and bands as they perform a mixture of Irish, Scottish, country and bluegrass music.
4. Ulster Military Vehicle Club, Portstewart, 3-4 August. The Ulster Military Vehicle Club exists to promote the restoration, preservation and display of ex-military vehicles. Come and see their fascinating display of a wide range of vehicles from many theatres of war.
5. Féile An Phobail 2019 August Festival, Belfast, 1-11 August. The Féile programme is packed with street theatre, children’s events, parties in the park, concerts, sports, discussions, debates, exhibitions, dramas and readings, offering something for the whole family.
6. Big Splash Festival, Ballymena, 24 July – 3 August. This annual festival provides another wide ranging lineup including a family camp night, tea dance, vintage cavalcade, exhibitions heritage walk, céili/ceilidh, cookery demonstration and competitions. Along with a family fun day which includes water activities, an angling competition and a teddy bears’ picnic, the festival finishes with a triathlon.
7. Walled City Tattoo, Derry~Londonderry, 3 August. The Walled City Tattoo returns with another spell-binding mix of top class local and international talent. A spectacular visual display like no other tells the unique story of the walled city including the Tattoo’s well-established blend of cultural traditions and the high quality drama, music, dance and, of course, that little bit extra.
8. Belfast Pride Festival 2019, Belfast, 27 July – 3 August. Belfast Pride hosts a week of LGBT inclusive events featuring workshops, discussions and performances. The highlight of Belfast Pride is the parade which is the main event in the LGBTQ calendar, a protest and a celebration, a call for equality, a stand for solidarity and a celebration of the lives of LGBT people in Belfast.
9. Dog Leap Rally, Limavady, 3 August. Visitors to the Causeway Coast and Glens can experience the thrill of the Dog Leap Rally,an exciting rally on the roads of Northern Ireland.
10. Batty Bonanza, Portadown, 2 August. Come and find out about the resident bat population at Ardress. Help identify all eight of Northern Ireland’s bat species that live at Ardress and make some batty crafts to take home.
For more information on these events or to plan a short break in Northern Ireland, visit www.DiscoverNorthernIreland.com.