Ards and North Down Borough Council has launched its Spring Arts and Heritage Programme, offering an inspiring selection of events, concerts, exhibitions, and creative opportunities taking place across the Borough from January to April 2026.

Music takes centre stage this season with the return of the Ards International Guitar Festival in April. Celebrating its 30th year, the packed programme features an exciting mix of gigs, free fringe activity, and a rock exhibition.

Friday Night Live also returns to Ards Arts Centre with performances by The High Lonesome, Ben Reel and Glass Half Full. Ards CCÉ will open this year’s Music in the Chamber series at Bangor Castle on 19 February with a celebration of Irish traditional music. Opera fans will enjoy Spring Solstice with NI Opera on 20 March, a beautifully curated lunchtime concert featuring much-loved seasonal favourites.

Theatre lovers have two standout productions to enjoy at Studio 1A Theatre in Bangor. On 10 April, Jak-In-The-Box Pop-Up Theatre presents The Bench, a warm and witty exploration of the quirky characters who pass through a local park, performed by Julie Kinsella and Maria Quinn. Later in the month, on 29 April, Isosceles Theatre Company brings the powerful drama The Man Who Left the Titanic to the stage, revisiting the fateful 1912 voyage and examining the legacy of J. Bruce Ismay.

Families can look forward to the return of Young Aspects from 27 February to 1 March, offering workshops, storytelling sessions and author events designed to ignite young imaginations. Writers will also be pleased to see the return of Aspects Festival Club, with monthly events offering writers and audiences alike the chance to share and celebrate new writing.

Those seeking a new hobby can choose from a wide range of creative classes and workshops in ceramics, illustration, calligraphy and more, delivered at Ards Arts Centre and venues throughout the Borough.

At North Down Museum, the ever-popular Arts Night at the Museum takes place on Friday 20 March, offering a free evening of hands-on creative activity for all ages. The Little Historians workshop returns at Easter along with the ever-popular Easter Trail for children and families. The museum will also present new exhibitions exploring The Birth of Irish Motor Racing and Boat Building at Ballyholme.

Arts and Heritage Manager Emily Crawford commented: “Our Spring programme is bursting with activity! From hands-on creative sessions to the Ards International Guitar Festival, Young Aspects, exhibitions, theatre and more, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Visit our website or pick up a guide to explore the full line-up.”

Online booking for all music and theatre events, as well as class and workshop enrolment, opens Thursday 11 December.

View the full Spring Programme and book at: andculture.org.uk/whats-on

LASTING memories are the ultimate present and Hastings Hotels is encouraging people to spend quality time with their partner and gift an experience to remember this Christmas.

Northern Ireland’s leading collection of hotels has a fabulous array of gift experiences for couples to enjoy and has put together some festive inspiration:

• Treat that special someone to a romantic overnight stay in one of the six luxurious hotels from as little as £120 for two people – book a city break in Belfast to take in a theatre date night or the bustling nightlife and stay at Europa Hotel, Grand Central Hotel or Stormont Hotel; escape to enjoy the ultimate 5-star luxury at the  Culloden Estate & Spa;  spend the afternoon exploring the Walled City and stay at the Everglades Hotel in Derry-Londonderry or get cosy and enjoy a break along the scenic Antrim coast at Ballygally Castle.
• After Christmas, there is no better time to relax and enjoy some quality time together than an afternoon being pampered. The Spa at Culloden is an oasis of tranquillity with relaxation rooms, swimming pool, heat experiences and an extensive selection of ESPA treatments including the Sequoia Couples Serenity package which includes a back, neck and shoulder massage, marma points to the feet & a lower leg massage, personalised facial and scalp treatment.
• Indulge your senses and enjoy a romantic meal for two with menus carefully designed by the chefs at Hastings Hotels using the very best of local, seasonal produce.
• Treating your loved one to Afternoon Tea is a decadent way to enjoy quality time together. Enjoy cups of the finest steaming tea or coffee, finger sandwiches and an array of delectable treats! For the most exquisite Afternoon Tea, visit the Observatory on the 23^rd floor of the 5-star Grand Central Hotel where you can enjoy the best views of Belfast and beyond.
• And if that special person in your life likes to choose their own present – a Hastings Hotels Monetary Gift Card is ideal! It can be used in the six hotels, magnificent spa and any of the group’s restaurants or bars. It’s the ideal gift that lets people choose the perfect present – be it a special night out, a luxury weekend, an afternoon tea, a spa treatment or even a round of drinks at the bar! Every budget is catered for, with cards available from just £20!

For further information go to www.hastingshotels.com/Christmasgifts or call 028 9047 1066.

Belfast’s favourite festive family tradition is back as Santa Sundays at 2Taps return to bring holiday cheer, delicious food, and heart-warming community spirit to the city. Running each Sunday until 21 December, Santa will make special Sunday visits to 2Taps, giving families the chance to celebrate the season together while supporting a vital local charity.

Every Sunday, children will have the opportunity to meet Santa Claus in person and post their Christmas lists straight to the North Pole using the magical 2Taps Santa Post Box. In a meaningful gesture of festive goodwill, 2Taps has pledged to donate £5 to Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice for every letter posted, helping to support the essential care provided to children and families.

To make the celebrations even more special, children eat free during Santa Sundays (one child per adult), allowing families to enjoy a stress-free festive outing. Parents can relax and indulge in 2Taps full tapas and drinks menu including the renowned Sunday Roast or special Christmas Menu with a Spanish twist, freshly prepared by the restaurant’s talented kitchen team. The cosy festive atmosphere will be enhanced by live music from Joe Kennedy, performing from 2pm to 5pm, creating the perfect backdrop for a joyful family afternoon.

Jarron O’Neill Watson of 2Taps expressed his enthusiasm for this year’s festive programme, highlighting both the joy it brings to families and the importance of supporting local charitable work. He said: “Christmas is such a special time of year for celebrating children, and Santa Sundays are one of our favourite traditions at 2Taps. As parents ourselves, my sister and I wanted to create something truly magical for families while also giving back to a cause that is incredibly close to our hearts. Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice does vital and inspiring work, and we are proud to support them at this time of year.”

The festive initiative is expected to draw families from across Belfast and beyond, with visitors returning year after year to enjoy the warm atmosphere, delicious food, and memorable experiences that 2Taps is known for. From the twinkling lights and festive décor to the excitement on children’s faces as they hand their letters to Santa, the event promises a magical afternoon for all ages.

Santa Sundays aim to bring the community together, offering families a place to create cherished holiday memories while making a meaningful difference in the lives of others. Whether it’s enjoying a comforting Sunday roast, indulging in your favourite tapas, listening to live seasonal tunes, or watching children light up as they meet Santa, 2Taps is set to be one of the most magical places to spend a Sunday this Christmas season.

Santa Sundays are expected to be extremely popular, so book your table today at www.2taps-winebar.com/christmas and keep up to date with 2Taps special menu offerings by following along on social media.

Ulster University is delighted to announce the eighth annual Art Unwrapped exhibition, a treasured holiday tradition showcasing rarely seen artworks gifted to the city of Belfast from the national collection.

Launched at an event with Belfast Lord Mayor at the Belfast campus on the afternoon of 27 November, this year the university will be exhibiting two inspiring artworks by Enniskillen born T.P Flanagan and a poem written for him by the celebrated Irish poet Seamus Heaney.

Exhibition Details

• Dates: 28 November 2025 to 22 December 2025
• Location: Art Gallery, McCracken Building (Block BC),Ulster University Belfast Campus, 2-24 York Street, Belfast, BT15 1AP
• Admission: Free, with guided interpretive tours led by Fine Art Students of Belfast School of Art. Walk-ins are welcome during our opening hours. Tickets available via Eventbrite   

Art Unwrapped 2025 invites Northern Ireland residents and visitors to immerse themselves in two breathtaking artworks by T.P Flanagan Autumn Lough, 1961  and Weir on the Blackwater River, County Cork, 1993  from the collection of the Ulster Museum will be showcased in an intimate gallery setting, where attendees will explore the paintings’ rich context and underlying themes, guided by students of Fine Art from the Belfast School of Art. In a unique addition, this year’s exhibition will also feature “Bogland” a poem composed by Seamus Heaney for the artist.

This initiative, a collaboration between Ulster University, Belfast City Council, and National Museums NI, has brought iconic art pieces closer to the public for the past seven years. Previous years have seen artworks like Gerard Dillon’s “Innishlacken Couple”, Jack Butler Yeats’ “On Through the Silent Lands” and a collection featuring Margaret Clarke and Catherine McWilliams come to the university for the Christmas period.

Kathryn Thomson, Chief Executive of National Museums NI, says they look forward to sharing another Italian art moment with the public:

“Art Unwrapped has become a much-loved festive tradition for National Museums NI. Every year it provides a special opportunity to see a painting from the national art collection at the Ulster Museum somewhere unique and unexpected. This initiative highlights the power of working in partnership to do something different and make art more accessible to wider audiences.”

Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Tracy Kelly said:

“Art Unwrapped is a special Christmas gift to the city. Belfast City Council is delighted to have collaborated with National Museums NI and Ulster University for the eighth consecutive year on this innovative project because it’s raising both the profile and our appreciation of the visual arts. It’s fantastic to see Art Unwrapped grow in popularity and reach year on year – and it’s another great reason to visit and enjoy the city centre over the festive period. The schools outreach element is a particularly welcome way of inspiring our young people to explore their talent and passion for art and creativity.”

Professor Cathy-Gormley Heenan, University Provost at Ulster University said:

“Art Unwrapped is not just an exhibition but a celebration of art and culture during the festive season. The vision of Professor Rafaella Folli in Ulster, we are proud to continue this tradition, now in its eighth year, offering a unique opportunity for the local community to engage with and appreciate significant works of art, like these wonderful T.P Flanagan pieces we have been generously gifted this year by Ulster Museum. We welcome everyone to our campus to come appreciate these impressive works of art.”

With student-led tours and school outreach programmes designed to inspire and educate the next generation of artists and art enthusiasts, Art Unwrapped is more than just an art exhibition.  Ulster University invites the public to experience these pieces up close and personal this festive season.

For more information, visit: www.ulster.ac.uk/artunwrapped