We’ve got Christmas all wrapped up for you in Derry and Strabane!

Get into the festive spirit joining Santa and his special guests at the Christmas Lights Switch-Ons, absorb a bit of magic by following the Sound of Light Christmas Procession around the city walls or come along to our quirky Christmas markets this winter. Have yourself a Derry little Christmas at the biggest ever Craft Fair in the Guildhall and immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere by completing the enchanting Wonder Windows Trail.

Meet a life-sized majestic polar creature, Bjorn the Bear, along with his Arctic Explorer who’ll visit the city as part of our beautiful Winterland Market with a craft beer, artisan food & live music. Celebrate the season to be jolly with our Mayor at his free and atmospheric winter fairytale, Lost in Frost, which takes place in both Derry and Strabane or dance your socks off at the Mayor’s Christmas Tea Dance.

We’ve stacks of other family friendly events and entertainment – there really is something for everyone in our Christmas Programme 2017.

 

The SSE Arena, Belfast: 2^nd August

Tickets on sale Friday 24^th November at 9am

 

Following the massively successful global tour of 2016-17 in support of their 16^th studio album The Book Of Souls IRON MAIDEN will take to the road again in 2018 with a series of arena and festival shows in Europe on the Legacy Of The Beast World Tour opening in Tallinn, Estonia on May 26 and finishing at the o2 Arena, London on August 10.

The tour includes at date at The SSE Arena, Belfast on Thursday August 2^nd.

The concept for the Legacy Of The Beast World Tour was inspired by Maiden’s mobile game and comic book of the same name and the stage set design will feature a number of different but interlocking “worlds” with a set list covering a large selection of Eighties material with a handful of surprises from later albums to add diversity. Maiden manager Rod Smallwood explains further,

“As our fans know, we’ve been following a particular touring cycle ever since Bruce and Adrian re-joined Maiden at the start of the millennium, alternating new album tours with “History/Hits” tours. We enjoy working this way for many reasons, not least because it gives the band a chance to play both new material and the older favourites which we know fans like to hear. It keeps things fresh, not just for the fans but for the band too.

“For this History/Hits tour we decided to base the theme around the Legacy Of The Beast name,  which suits our purposes perfectly by giving us scope to get creative and have some fun, especially with Eddie! I don’t want to give too much away at the moment but we’re working on a number of different stage sets, all in keeping with the Maiden tradition and we hope to give our fans a fantastic experience when they come to see this very special show.”

Killswitch Engage will be Maiden’s Special Guest on headline European shows from May 26 to July 1 inclusive, and in the UK from July 31 to Aug 10 inclusive.

The Belfast show goes on sale Friday 24^th November, see below for details. As always, there will be an exclusive presale for Fan Club members, starting Monday 20^th.

Tickets on-sale Friday 24^th November at 9am

The SSE Arena, Belfast Box Office: Tel. 02890 739074
Book On Line: www.ssearenabelfast.com

 

Ticketmaster: In person: From 100 Ticketmaster Outlets Nationwide
By Telephone (24 Hour):   0844 277 44 55 (ROL: 0818 719300)
Book On Line: www.ticketmaster.ie

 

 

Tales of the Unexpected was essential Sunday night viewing throughout the 80s and Wireless Mystery Theatre – Ireland’s Masters of Suspense – will bring the series to life, live on stage at Ards Arts Centre, Newtownards on Wednesday 15 November at 8pm.

Featuring a wholly radiophonic score, in tribute to Ron Grainer, the author and the original theme, and his work as part of the BBC’s experimental Radiophonic Workshop, join Roald Dahl for four of the most twisted and twisty tales from the series. Expect guns, girls, and the unexpected!

Tickets cost £10 and are on sale at www.ardsarts.com.

Wireless Mystery Theatre is Northern Ireland’s only audio theatre company, specialising in live staged radio plays and broadcast material. They have toured the UK and the Republic of Ireland and their work has been commissioned for broadcast on BBC Radios 3 & 4, as well as in Canada, Germany, and the United States. Their work is also currently featured on BA in-flight entertainment.

“They are superb.” Culture Northern Ireland

“A performance unlike anything you have ever seen before.” Ulster Tatler

And with this in mind, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council’s Town Management team is organising a Best Dressed Christmas Window Competition in Ballycastle, Ballymoney, Coleraine and Limavady.

It aims to recognise the efforts local businesses put into creating festive windows which add to the Christmas shopping experience in our local towns.

The Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Councillor Joan Baird OBE, said: “We are already seeing some of our shops and businesses getting into the Christmas spirit with their window displays, and I hope this competition encourages everyone to take part. Christmas window displays provide a fabulous festive welcome to shoppers and visitors and I’m looking forward to seeing the creative efforts of our traders.”

Julienne Elliott, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council’s Town & Village Manager, added: “Every year businesses within our four main towns make every effort to encourage customers to shop local.  Creating attractive festive windows is a great way to bring people into our town centres and they are a positive addition to the overall town centre experience at Christmas.   Deciding on a winner will always be a difficult process but I look forward to seeing what each town has to offer.”

Judges will be asked to assess the windows based on the following three categories:

Innovation – How well designed and creative is the display?

Colour – how attractive is the display?

Appeal – how encouraged would you be to spend money in their shop?

The winners and runner ups in each town will receive a trophy in recognition of their efforts. The overall winner in each town will receive an electronic tablet to assist in developing their business.

The judging panels made up of local representatives from each town will be visiting Ballymoney, Ballycastle, Limavady and Coleraine in early December to make their choices.  There is no need to formally enter the competition and retailers must have their displays ready by Friday 1^st December.

For further information on Christmas activities throughout the Borough go to www.causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk/christmas

Hillmount is introducing quiet hours with Santa this Christmas at its grotto in the Castlereagh Hills – one of the largest garden centre grottos in Ireland.

The quiet hours are aimed at spreading Christmas cheer and providing a magical experience for visitors without the stress or panic that can sometimes occur when large crowds are queueing to visit Santa.

On Wednesday 6 December, the grotto doors will open from 12.00noon until 2.00pm for people with special needs and on Sunday 10 December the grotto will open for a quiet hour between 11.00am and 12.00noon for children with Autism but advance booking is essential as numbers are limited on both days.

Q Radio Presenter Stephen Clements said: “As an ambassador for Autism NI I’m delighted to see Hillmount is offering an Autism friendly hour at their grotto.  For me, the important thing is that initiatives like this one allow children to enjoy the magic of Christmas and not be an event that they want to enjoy but that can intimidate or even frighten them.”

Alan Mercer, Managing Director, Hillmount, said:  “We are committed to ensuring that a visit to Santa’s Grotto is a fun experience where families can create memories for years to come.  Whilst we want everyone to enjoy the festive season celebrations at Hillmount, we appreciate that for some people a visit to Santa’s Grotto can be overwhelming, distressing or even frightening.

“That’s why this year we’ve introduced our quiet hours to ensure visitors during these hours can get into the Christmas spirit with a visit as magical as we expect all our visitors to Santa’s Grotto to enjoy but without the typical trappings of loud noises and loud music, large crowds or bright lights that are synonymous with a visit to Santa.”

Santa arrives at 12.30pm on Saturday 25 November and to book a place to visit Santa during the quiet hours on 6 or 10 December, call Hillmount on tel 028 9044 8213.

www.hillmount.co.uk, www.facebook.com/hillmountgardencentre, www.twitter.com/hillmountgarden, www.instagram.com/hillmountbelfast.

From the switch on of a mile of Christmas lights in Cookstown, to the Christmas Market in Magherafelt, and a Magical Kingdom in Dungannon, you’ll be spoilt for Yuletide cheer this year in Mid Ulster.

The feast of festive events, organised by Mid Ulster District Council, kicks off on Friday 24^th November at 5.30pm in Cookstown, with the switch on of the Christmas lights in the town. An evening of family entertainment awaits before a mile of magical Christmas lights illuminate the main street and the festive countdown begins.

Saturday 25^th and Sunday 26^th also sees the return of the Winter Craft & Food Fair to the Burnavon, Cookstown. Running over the two days (10am to 5pm on Saturday and 1pm to 5pm on Sunday), you’ll have all the time you need to shop for the perfect, unique Christmas gifts and festive foods.

Santa will be setting up home at the Burnavon from Thursday 7^th to Wednesday 20^th December in his new Magical Grotto (admission including professional photo souvenir is £8). For full details of dates and times, contact the Burnavon on 028 8676 9949.

Magherafelt Christmas Market is back bigger and better than ever this year, from Friday 24^th through to Sunday 26^th November, bringing more than 30 artisan food and craft stalls with tempting treats and wares for you to buy.

There’ll be Christmas story-telling in the Bridewell from 2pm to 4pm on Saturday and from 2pm to 6pm on Sunday, and Santa will be stopping by his grotto on Saturday and Sunday afternoon from 2pm. The switch on of Magherafelt’s Christmas lights, and accompanying street party and fireworks display will take place on Saturday 25^th from 6pm – 8.30pm in the town centre.

Meanwhile in Dungannon, Ranfurly House, situated at the heart of the town centre and gateway to the Hill of The O’Neill, once again leads you into a magical Christmas kingdom (running Friday 24^th – Sunday 26^th November), with a host of seasonal workshops, space dedicated to children’s entertainment, crafts and food stalls, Santa’s elves and, perched on the Hill, Santa’s Grotto. The switch on of Dungannon’s lights will take place on the Hill, Friday 24^th November at 7.30pm.

The following weekend sees the turn of Maghera and Coalisland to launch their festive celebrations, with Christmas in Maghera celebrations happening in The Lurach Centre, Maghera Walled Garden and the town centre from 2pm on Saturday 2^nd December. The Lurach Centre will host children’s Christmas workshops, before the Walled Garden brings the magic of Christmas alive before Santa leaves his potting shed to switch on the town’s Christmas lights at 6pm.

Mid Ulster’s Christmas celebration finale happens in Coalisland town centre from 1pm on Sunday 3^rd December. The festive fun begins at 1pm at the Cornmill Heritage Centre and continues with the CRAIC theatre hosting a fun-packed evening of entertainment. Children can also stop by to see Santa and there’s a chance to pick up some seasonal gifts at the Christmas Fair in the Parochial Centre. The town’s lights will be switched on at 5.20pm.

For full details of all the festive fun happening across the Mid Ulster District visit www.midulstercouncil.org/christmas

16 – 19 November 2017 Over 50 of our finest musicians will perform live in Portstewart, Portrush & Portballintrae

Following the sell-out success of Atlantic Sessions in 2016 and its 2017 NI Tourism Award, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council will be bringing Atlantic Sessions back to the Causeway Coast from 16 – 19 November.  Over 50 of Northern Ireland’s finest musicians will perform live in coffee shops, hotels, restaurants, music venues and bars across the four days.  Visitors will have an opportunity to see high profile artists in an intimate setting, with the stunning Atlantic as a backdrop.  Each artist will play their own music for one hour, and this will form a music trail across the resorts of Portstewart, Portrush and Portballintrae.

Now in its ninth year and firmly established in the music calendar Atlantic Sessions, which is this year working in partnership with Bushmills Irish Whiskey and Tourism Ireland, has emerged as a permanent feature and has gathered a reputation both among performers and music lovers. Live music ranges from traditional, bluegrass and americana to electronic, indie and acoustic singer-songwriters.  It offers a platform for emerging talent as well as established artists from across Northern Ireland an opportunity to bring their music beyond urban hubs.

Welcoming the return of the much anticipated music festival, the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Councillor Joan Baird OBE said:

“Following on from the event’s success at the NI Tourism Awards earlier this year, we are delighted to welcome two new sponsors, Tourism Ireland and Bushmills Irish Whiskey. Our awards success, coupled with this high profile support, makes it a very exciting time for the event. Atlantic Sessions enjoys a much-deserved reputation as a fabulous live music event, offering intimate gigs with an unrivalled line-up of performers, and it is fully deserving of this recognition. I’m delighted that this year’s festival coincides with Causeway Coast and Glens Restaurant Week which runs from November 11 – 19, so there has never been a better time to visit. We look forward to welcoming you all to what will be one of the highlights of our autumn offering.”

With a rise in the number, and quality, of musicians and bands making headlines and enjoying success in the international marketplace, and new and innovative music businesses based here, Atlantic Sessions has a significant role to play in developing music tourism, appreciating the ongoing success stories and showcasing this on the global stage.

Programming is by Snow Water, in association with Third Bar, and its Director Carolyn Mathers commented:

“Northern Ireland is extraordinary in the richness of its artistic talent and Atlantic Sessions is a perfect opportunity to showcase our creative energy to international audiences.  This year we will feature a series of new collaborations and ‘In the Round’ concerts exclusively for the festival, six of the NI Music Prize 2017 nominees, plus EP and Single launches.  Audiences will have an opportunity to witness our finest singer-songwriters partner together in intimate environments. We’re very grateful for the support of our new partners, the hospitality sector and delighted that interest in Northern Ireland’s music scene is stronger than ever.”

For biographies, venues, map and trail times, follow us at atlanticsessions.com

and @atlanticsess. Artist photos can be downloaded from

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/1u9304sem3bbncv/AABRhyb2sUscbYLOQrddwXSsa?dl=0.

For visitor information and where to stay, check out visitcausewaycoastandglens.com.

Atlantic Sessions Headline Events in association with

Artists announced this week include Ports with the Arco String Quartet, Iain Archer, Ryan Vail Laser Show at the Arcadia, Joshua Burnside, the Holy Innocents, Anthony Toner, Eilidh Patterson, Brand New Friend, Mandy Bingham, Neil Martin, Amanda St John, Amy Montgomery, Michael Mormecha, Emer Maguire, Simon Murphy, Gerry Norman, Rory Nellis, Paddy Nash, Malojian, plus DJ sets from Joe Lindsay and Phil Taggart.  Tickets and timetable will be announced this week at atlanticsessions.com, facebook/atlanticsessions and @atlanticsess.