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 (16-22 July)

 

1. Soma Festival, Newcastle, 18-22July. Soma Festival is the brainchild of a small band of musicians, artists, and creatives from Castlewellan and surrounding areas. Over the years, the festival has organically grown into an intoxicating fusion of arts, crafts, storytelling, food & drink, health & well-being, and children’s activities, all the while keeping high calibre music at its heart and core.
2. Foyle Maritime Festival, Derry~Londonderry, 14 – 22 July. The theme of this year’s festival is ‘voyages’ in acknowledgment of the city’s rich maritime heritage. The quayside becomes engrossed in maritime magic as the city hosts a fantastic collection of live music, markets, entertainment, and river based activities.
3. Rose Week, Belfast, 16-22 July. Rose Week is a celebration of the Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Rose Garden. The full programme of activities includes music and entertainment for all the family with face painting, bouncy castle, mega slide, balloon modelling, Punch and Judy shows and much more.
4. Bushmills Through the Wars, Bushmills, 12-22 July. This exhibition takes in the Great War, Second World War and Korea. The event commemorates soldiers from all sides who lost lives serving their country. Exhibits include uniforms, medals, rations, worktime fashions,the experience of evacuees, information about G.Is and much more.
5. Ulster Pipe Band Championship, Newcastle, 21 July. Come along to Donard Park and see Pipe Bands from all over Northern Ireland compete for the prestigious Ulster title, with competitions for Grades 1 – 4 and Novice, Junior, Juvenile, Senior drum major titles up for grabs.
6. Foyle Cup, Derry~Londonderry, 16-21 July. Seen as one of the most important and pivotal tournaments in Northern Ireland, the Foyle Cup presents an opportunity for the youth of Northern Ireland to show their football playing abilities.
7. Parklife 2018, Lisburn, 7-28 July. Parklife encourages local people to reclaim their open spaces and celebrate their shared cultural heritage and identity. Held at Wallace Park the programme includes drama, dance, crafts and sporting activities for everyone to enjoy.
8. Lush! Classical – Ebrington Square, Derry~Londonderry, 21 July. A phenomenal, breathtaking event featuring a 65-piece classical orchestra, world-renowned DJs and live vocalists playing floor fillers from the past 20 years, all produced in conjunction with Kylie Minogue’s musical director
9. Stripey Socks – Curious World, Newcastle, 21 July. An enchanting comical twist on a classic children’s tale comes to Newcastle Promenade. Explore with Alice as she enters this curious world and meets the Mad Hatter, has a tea party and finds herself tangled up in this new aerial and acrobatic adventure
10. From an Abbey to a Stately Home Coach Tour, Newtownards, 21 July. View one of the finest Georgian country houses in Ireland, Grey Abbey House. The current owners will guide you around and join you for tea and a treat. You will also visit the Cistercian abbey founded by Lady Affreca, the wife of John de Courcy.

 

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