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NI’s biggest holiday fair to return with new title sponsor and a new city centre venue

Taking place at the ICC Belfast in January 2025, Holiday World Show Belfast in association with Bookit by NI Travel News is a three-day event that showcases a huge choice of dazzling travel options at home and abroad to more than 11,000 visitors every year.

With the days getting colder and the nights getting longer, people’s thoughts are turning to holidays and what better way to kick off 2025 than to start planning your dream holiday with a visit to the province’s biggest annual celebration of travel and tourism, now celebrating its 32^nd year in Belfast.

Holiday World Show Belfast in association with Bookit by NI Travel News will open its doors to the public from 12.30pm to 5pm on Friday January 10, and from 10am until 5pm on Saturday January 11 and Sunday January 12.  A dedicated Trade and Media morning will take also place on the Friday from 10am to 12.30pm with registration available at https://holidayworld.registrationdesk.ie/belfast/.

Visitors to the show will have a chance to snap up dozens of exclusive ‘show only’ deals, get the inside track on where to go from operators and destinations, discover new ideas and holiday trends, and receive advice from travel professionals on how to pay less for their holiday.  Some lucky guests could even go home with a free holiday – if they win one of the many ‘free to enter’ prize draws that will run throughout the show.

With a new sponsor and new venue on board, Maria Hourican, Chief Executive of Business Exhibitions Ltd, the company which organises the Holiday World Shows in Belfast and Dublin, said she was doubly excited about January’s show.

“Today is a very special day for us as we proudly launch our 32nd annual Holiday World Belfast Show in association with Bookit by NI Travel News,” said Maria.  “Since our very first show in Belfast, Jonathan Adair and the team at NI Travel News have always been very supportive, as they have been of the entire NI travel industry.

“As a valuable partner for this year’s show, Jonathan brings with him a vault of knowledge, eagerness and experience of the industry from both a travel trade and consumer point of view – so we are absolutely delighted to welcome him on board with Bookit, an exciting new travel hub that offers members a range of great holiday deals every week – which makes it a very good fit for our own Holiday World brand,” she added.

“Also, after many years at the Kings Hall and then the Titanic Exhibition Centre, we are thrilled and excited to bring the 32^nd annual Holiday World Show into the heart of Belfast’s City Centre for the very first time. Having our event at the ICC Belfast will make it so much more accessible to thousands of people in the city wanting to explore their holiday options for 2025 and grab themselves a good bargain in the process.

“With operators and destinations from around the world and closer to home, all under one roof, next year’s show in January promises to be bigger and better than ever, offering visitors a one-stop-shop for all their travel dreams. Visitors will get the chance to do their travel research face-to-face, chatting with sector professionals in a lively, fun-filled environment that’s all about getting into holiday mood.

“There really is something for everyone,” concluded Maria. “Whether you like the thought of relaxing on a sunny beach, a cruise on the high seas, an exciting city break, or uncovering a hidden gem closer to home, you can be sure that Holiday World Show has it covered.”

New show sponsor Bookit by NI Travel News is a membership-based travel hub, created by long-running travel publication Northern Ireland Travel News, that offers members a range of weekly holiday deals and offers, from cruise to ski, family breaks abroad, local breaks, city breaks, long haul family specials and everything in between.

For a subscription fee of just £10 per year, members will receive a minimum of 10 fantastic travel offers straight to their inboxes each week – all hand-selected and supplied by local NI travel agents, providing members with peace of mind that their holiday is protected and their money secure.

Jonathan Adair, Managing Director of NI Travel News, is looking forward to bringing Bookit by NI Travel News to Holiday World Show Belfast for the first time.

“At NI Travel News, we’ve supported the annual Holiday World Show Belfast since it first came to Belfast 32 years ago, so I am delighted to strengthen our relationship further and continue our support as title sponsor of January’s event,” said Jonathan.

“For more than 35 years, NI Travel News has been the go-to publication and online hub for holidaymakers across the province. We have now taken our experience in the travel and tourism industry to the next level by providing our readers with the best holiday deals via our new membership hub – Bookit by NITN.

“With the launch of our new travel agent offers platform to the public, and a brand new venue for the Show, this is perfect time to profile Bookit by NI Travel News. We have exhibited at Holiday World since the beginning, but this is the first time we will be showcasing the best offers from our local travel agents every week. I am looking forward to the new Exhibition in the ICC with all the exciting holiday options on offer,” he added.

Holiday World Show Belfast in association with Bookit by NI Travel News will play host to international tourist boards, destinations, airlines, cruise & ferry companies, hotels and B&Bs, visitor attractions, travel agencies and a vast range of service providers.

Operators and destinations already confirmed include Malta, Spain, Cyprus, Travel Solutions, Air Canada, Cleveland, Oklahoma & Grapevine Texas, Costa Del Sol Living, Tunisia, Hays Travel, Stena Line, Irish Ferries, Barrhead Travel, Camino groups and French camping sites, with the promise of more to be announced over the next two months.

One of the fastest growing areas of the holiday industry is undoubtedly the cruise sector – which is reflected at the show, with a dedicated cruise showcase hosted by local specialist Oasis Travel.

For those who like to holiday closer to home, Holiday World Show Belfast in association with Bookit by NI Travel News also features a wide range of hotels and accommodation providers, visitor attractions and tourism organisations from across Ireland and the UK.

Holiday World Show Belfast in association with Bookit by NI Travel News will take place at the ICC Belfast at 2 Lanyon Place, Belfast BT1 3WH, from Friday January 10 until Sunday January 12, 2025.

Tickets cost £5 for adults; £4 for Senior Citizens and £3 for Students. A special family ticket gives admission for two adults and up to four children for just £10 and a 2-for-1 ticket deal is available online at https://holidayworld.registrationdesk.ie/2-for-1-voucher-belfast/.

All travel trade and media are invited to register and attend the Trade and Media morning on Friday January 10 (10am–12.30pm). To register, visit https://holidayworld.registrationdesk.ie/belfast/.

For more information and all the latest event updates, visit https://holidayworldshowni.com/.

Ards Arts Centre in Newtownards welcomes two new art exhibitions for the month of November: Aspire: Ventures in Craft, a group exhibition between by Homo Faber Fellows 2023: Claire Mooney, Jackson Byrne, Richard Butler and Noel Donnellan and Lemon Juice, a solo exhibition by Kathryn Graham.

In Aspire: Ventures in Craft, the artists, who all recently completed an internship ran by the Michelangelo Foundation, explore themes of sustainability, links to the land and the transmission of traditional skills in the contemporary field. The Homo Faber Fellowship enabled this group to develop their practice and work alongside master artisans.

This show celebrates the learning, development and collaborations which took place throughout this time. From photographs, drawings, and tests to final outcomes, this show is a window on their learning process while showcasing craft to a new audience. Aspire: Ventures in Craft will show in the Georgian Gallery.

Lemon Juice reflects on the proverbial phrase, “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” The exhibition investigates the role of images as emblematic mediators of memory, exploring symbols and motifs from popular media, both past and present. It playfully examines perception and perspective, questioning our differing views of the world and the stories we tell ourselves.

Kathryn Graham is a Belfast based visual artist and lecturer at Belfast School of Art. Graham’s work is informed by playful exploration of material through mixed media printmaking, drawing, installation and sculpture. Lemon Juice will be on display in the Sunburst Gallery.

Both exhibitions open on Friday 1 November and continue until Thursday 28 November. Admission to Ards Arts Centre is free.

 

All are welcome to attend a preview event in Ards Arts Centre on Thursday 7 November at 7pm.

For more information visit; www.andculture.org.uk

Here are ten exciting things to do 4 – 10 November

 

1. Thursday Movie Nights at The Bushmills Inn, Bushmills, County Antrim, Every Thursday in November. Everyone loves a night at the movies. Enjoy small, intimate screenings of the latest blockbusters in the exclusive surroundings of the boutique cinema at The Bushmills Inn. Enjoy two courses from the Cinema Supper Menu served at 6.00pm with the movie beginning at 8.00pm.
2. Tearoom Talk – The Ghosts of Rathlin Island, Ballintoy, County Antrim, 7 November. Join the Carrick-a-Rede team for a cosy, winter get together in their Tearoom on Thursday 7 November at 7:30pm, for an evening of captivating storytelling, sure to make your imagination go wild, beginning with The Ghosts of Rathlin Island. Your Storyteller for the evening, Teresa, lived and worked in the 268-year-old Georgian Manor House and experienced unexplained disturbances first-hand, as well as hearing of other supernatural encounters from around the island.
3. OM Odyssey Outdoor Film Projection, Davagh Forest, County Tyrone, Starting 4 November. The OM Odyssey will take you on a journey through time and space with a unique viewing experience, projected on to the outside of the Observatory building. Every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, you’ll be sitting outside to watch the OM Odyssey, so dress appropriately and wrap up warm. The film projection lasts approximately 12 minutes.
4. Jurassic Roar, Strabane, County Tyrone, 9 November. With the latest animatronic technology and award-winning puppetry, you will be awestruck. This entertaining and educational event allows you to experience up close some of the most realistic dinosaurs in the world. The show centres around a magical professor who takes you back in time, 65 million years to be precise. Meet Archie the cheeky anklysaurus, Bluey the fun velociraptor, and many more including a full-size Triceratops and T – Rex.
5. Sound of Belfast at Oh Yeah Music Centre, Belfast, 7 – 17 November. With an impressive line-up of 82 events spread across 43 venues across Belfast, this festival is a testament to the city’s thriving and diverse musical landscape. This annual celebration is dedicated to showcasing Belfast’s musical talents and its status as a UNESCO City of Music. Spanning gospel to garage rock, electronic to rap, the festival celebrates our world class music community through collaboration, partnerships and specially curated events across the city.
6. Nocturnal Nature at Crom Estate, Newtownbutler, County Fermanagh, 7 and 14 November. Join their expert rangers for an exclusive after-hours adventure across the estate. Using a night vision camera, you’ll explore the grounds and catch glimpses of deer and other nocturnal creatures in their natural habitat. Along the way, you’ll also discover parts of the estate rarely seen at night and have the opportunity to ask their knowledgeable team questions about Crom’s wildlife.
7. Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, County Armagh, visit website for dates and times. For the science and space enthusiast, spend the day exploring Northern Ireland’s leading astronomical research and education facility. In the Planetarium’s Digital Full Dome Theatre, you can sit back, relax and experience the wonders of our Universe. Take a tour of the night sky and discover how their scientific research has impacted the field of astronomy. Check out their website for upcoming events and festive themed experiences, like Mission Santa.
8. Live Music at The Copeland Distillery, Donaghadee, County Down, 1 and 8 November. Join The Copeland Distillery on the following dates for great cocktails and live music.
   Friday 1st November – Local musician, Pete Devlin and Friday 8th November – Living Groove. The bar will be open from 4pm-10pm with live music from 7.30pm-9.30pm.
9. Cranfield Alpaca Beach Treks – Autumn Dates, Kilkeel, County Down, 2,6,9,12 November and more dates. Meet your friendly alpaca and take them for a leisurely stroll down country lanes, enjoying the stunning views as you head down to our beautiful, golden beach. The Alpacas absolutely adore being walked on the beach. Join them for some fun in the sand and have an experience unlike any other. The beach trek lasts approx. 90 minutes and includes refreshments. This experience is not suitable for young children aged 7 years and under.
10. The Derry Girls Experience at Tower Museum, Derry~Londonderry, visit website for open dates and time. Visit the home of Derry Girls and discover where it all began! See original memorabilia from the hit show, like Erin’s diary, Aunt Sarah’s famous pajamas and Ma Mary’s Woolworths sweater, not to mention the infamous Spice Girls costumes! Step into the set of the Quinn’s household and feel like one of the family. Don’t miss your chance to sit on her chair and roll your eyes at anyone who crosses your path.

 

 

For more information on what’s on, or to plan your next giant adventure in Northern Ireland, visit discovernorthernireland.com.

Tails will be wagging in Belfast next month as leading pet retailer Jollyes partners with Northern Ireland’s leading photography centre, Belfast Exposed to celebrate our canine companions.

 As part of the city’s Late Night Art initiative, the ‘We Love Dogs!’ exhibition will open on Thursday, November 7.

Running until December 21, this pawfect, pet-friendly exhibition will feature hundreds of portraits, action shots and images of candid moments of the region’s pets.

There will be special VIP (very important pup) events on opening night (Nov 7) and Thursday, December 5 as pups and their people will be granted access from 5-6pm before the doors open officially to the public.

The exhibition will also host a ‘Give A Dog A Home’ space where images from seven Northern Ireland dog rescue and rehoming centres will showcase current residents seeking their forever home.

And, on Saturday, 7 December and Saturday, 14 December, pet parents are invited to bring their furry best friend to meet Santa Paws himself at Belfast Exposed’s Christmas Grotto.

Jollyes’ Northern Ireland regional manager Laura Hadden said the event provides the pawfect platform from which to celebrate the region’s delightful dogs.

She said, “Over the years we’ve built up a solid bond with our customers and their pets and this opportunity to celebrate the joy dogs bring to the lives of their owners is something we are excited to be involved with.

“We are delighted to see Belfast Exposed partner with seven dog rescue centres from across Northern Ireland and hope that all the dogs featured in the ‘Give A Dog A Home’ space can find their forever home.

“And, of course, I know my colleagues and I are eager to see the exhibition in all its glory and we cannot wait to meet Santa Paws in December.”

Belfast Exposed CEO, Deirdre Robb, welcomed Jollyes’ support for the event.

She said, “Jollyes is a household name right across Northern Ireland and we are thrilled to have their support for our ‘We Love Dogs!’ exhibition in the Studio gallery this November and December.

“When we put out an open call for submissions, we expected a lot of responses but have been blown away by the hundreds of wonderful images we received from both amateur and professional photographers.

“The gallery has always been a dog-friendly space, and this exhibition will feature several special events for VIPs (Very Important Pups) including an early opening time of 5-6pm for dogs and their people at Late Night Art, and a Santa’s Grotto in December.

“And, of course, the ‘Give A Dog A Home’ space is a really important element of this exhibition and one we are all proud to feature. Who knows, a gallery visitor might just find their perfect pooch.”

To find out more about Belfast Exposed’s ‘We Love Dogs!’ Exhibition visit We Love Dogs! – Belfast Exposed. To book your free slot at the Christmas Grotto visit Santa Paws- Belfast Exposed.

For more information about Jollyes, visit www.jollyes.co.uk or check out Jollyes’ social media on Twitter and Instagram.

Finalists in The Knitting & Stitching Show’s competition revealed ahead of show’s debut at Titanic Exhibition Centre

With only a week to go until Northern Ireland’s crafters and knitters flock to Belfast’s inaugural The Knitting & Stitching Show, the finalists in this year’s dressmaking competition, sponsored by Janome, have been revealed.

14 finalists from across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland are competing for the chance to get their hands on a Janome sewing machine worth £850.

This year is the 175^th anniversary of the Belfast School of Art which is now housed in Ulster University and three of the designs destined for the catwalk on Sunday, 10^th November have come from UU graduates.

Ariane Sloan graduated from UU’s textile art design and fashion course where she specialised in knitwear design. Her entry – a crochet babydoll dress with a bonnet – is inspired by her research on how knitting and crocheting techniques have evolved in the fashion world.

Bringing sustainability to the forefront of her design, and inspired by the insects of Northern Ireland, is UU graduate, Kiya Parr, who has designed a reversible jumper and a hand dyed skirt.

Their fellow UU alum Olive Mulvenna has upcycled/repurposed a top and trousers that is inspired by the unnecessary waste generated by fast fashion and textile waste.

These designs will compete against 2nd year Belfast MET student, Lucy Kavanagh-Dick’s patchwork denim jorts and 17-year-old Charlie Wells’ extravagant puffer jacket and matching skirt.

Fatima Naqvi, Event Organiser of the Knitting & Stitching Show Belfast, said she cannot wait to see these inspiring designs take to the catwalk.

She said: “We know Belfast has a rich history of crafting and skills and I cannot wait to see these designs take to the catwalk on the final day of our show – it will make for a great finale to a great weekend.”

Featuring over 140 crafting workshops and 100 brands to shop from, the K&S show takes place at the Titanic Exhibition Centre in Belfast from November 7-10.

Visit theknittingandstitchingshow.com to explore all the events taking place and get your tickets now.

 

The remaining six speakers for the upcoming Big Marketing Meet Up event have been revealed, completing the 15-person strong programme.

The November 14 day-long feat will see professionals from all areas of industry expertise share their top tips, teachings and potential prescience with attendees.

Big Marketing Meet Ups are also renowned for their networking opportunities, enabling ticket holders to socialise with the community and meet like minded individuals.

Attendees will also avail of enticing extras, including a fully-comped lunch, drinks plus much more to be discovered inside Belfast’s ICC.

Rachel Moss will be bringing her career experiences, including working as Head of Marketing Strategy for National Lottery operator Allwyn UK, to Belfast, outlining the path she has taken from a beginner in business to the marketing giant she is today.

Frequently mentoring on the Marketing Leadership Masterclass, Rachel is no stranger to a room of budding marketers and her passion for the sector emanates during her talks.

Speaking on what makes a brand’s outputs successful, Rachel said: “I believe that marketing effectiveness is about more than just measurement, it starts with consumer insight, it’s about telling compelling stories to your stakeholders and about building teams both inside your business and with your agency partners.

“I’m looking forward to sharing what’s worked for me to deliver successful business outcomes.”

Joining Rachel Moss on November 14 is Andi Jarvis, host of Strategy Sessions podcast, a show that does exactly what it says on the tin, frequently interviewing the world’s greatest marketers and providing industry tips to listeners.

Having set up Eximo Marketing back in 2017, Andi is well-versed in aiding companies with their promotion needs, creating strategies, campaigns and training schemes for businesses in Ireland and beyond.

Similar to Andi, Helen Edwards specialises in brand positioning, strategy, engagement, architecture and portfolio planning, as well as consumer insights, and will be providing her insightful takes on all topics at Belfast’s BMMU.

The award-winning columnist and branding consultant is a jack of all trades, previously published her book ‘Creating Passion Brands’ and currently working as both director of Passionbrand and Adjunct Associate Professor of Marketing at London Business School.

This autumn’s event will also see the inclusion of celebrated author Matt Swain.

Despite entering into the career in a different way, having first started in finance, Matt’s swap from corporate to collective media has proved a fruitful decision, enabling him to work with high-flying UK clients, garner over one million social media followers and curate his exclusive marketing community, Social Club.

Talking about what should be valued most in the marketing industry, Matt said: ”We no longer live in an attention economy. We live in a trust economy.

“Everyone has been fighting for clicks but in the process have lost & eroded brand trust.

“Now it’s all about building genuine industry-specific authority, meaningful trust with your target persona.”

Andrew Tindall, Senior Vice President of Global Partnerships at System1 and The Drum columnist joins the list of expert names who will appear at the ICC, Belfast, in less than a month.

Championing data usage alongside emotion and creativity, Andrew’s outlook on marketing is incredibly practical and straight-to-the-point, making his talk one not to be missed for an honest outlook.

Rounding off this year’s programme, Ben Saul-Garner will be bringing raw recounts of his unusual experiences to the Big Marketing Meet Up stage.

Ben has co-founded multiple businesses, including Rebel Book Club and Attachment, ventures which specialise in non-fiction and culture marketing respectively, giving him a broad spectrum of interests and insights, to reflect on.

Speaking on how the wider world is an impactful learning station, Ben said: “I’ve found the best lessons and insights often come from unconventional places that are a far cry from the office.

“I’m looking forward to heading to Belfast and sharing some stories from ten nights alone on a desert island that have had a big impact both personally and professionally.”

To find out more about the programme and to secure your tickets, go to bmmubelfast.com

The UK’s premier touring dance convention, Can You Dance? (CYD?), is set to attract thousands of dance enthusiasts from across Northern Ireland when it returns to the Eikon Centre in Lisburn next month.

Taking place on Sunday 24^th November, local dancers from age 5 and over, can look forward to over 30 workshops held by top industry professionals covering a range of dancing styles and catering for all abilities.

Local dancers will have the chance to meet Alisha Weir, known for her role in the critically acclaimed Matilda, who will also be judging the group dance competition, with the winners of that going through to the flagship event, CYD? Super Convention in Liverpool.

Tom Shilcock, Co-Founder of Can You Dance? (CYD?) said: “Northern Ireland has an amazing calibre of dancing talent and we can’t wait to bring CYD? back after the huge success of last year’s inaugural event, which was attended by thousands of dance enthusiasts including dance schools, dancers, parents and friends.

It’s a truly unique experience as there is nothing else like it for Northern Ireland’s dance community and this year is set to be even bigger with more faculty, more performances and lots of exciting opportunities and experiences.”

At the convention, dancers can take classes with top industry professionals, showcase a performance on the CYD? main stage and enjoy the dance related exhibition with featured areas including acro and circus zones as well as class awards, scholarships and prizes!

 

“The response from local dance schools has been incredible, with many organising a day of it for their students. We only have a limited number of tickets remaining so I would encourage people to buy theirs soon to avoid disappointment,” Tom added.

 

CYD? is a groundbreaking dance convention company founded in 2011 by industry professionals Matt Flint and Tom Shilcock. Matt is a creative director and choreographer for TV, film, and theatre, known for shows like Strictly Come Dancing and Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway. Tom, a professional dancer and choreographer, has worked with international artists like Rita Ora, Take That, and Jason Derulo. CYD? conventions are internationally recognised as the largest touring dance events, consistently providing new opportunities for aspiring dancers.

 

For more information and to secure your spot at the CYD? Northern Ireland Convention, please visit www.canyoudancelive.com/northernireland

The award-winning Atlantic Sessions music festival returns to Portstewart and Portrush next month and the full line up has just been released!

The much-loved event takes place from Thursday 14^th November to Sunday 17^th November with a packed programme of over 30 live gigs taking place in both seaside towns, most of them FREE! The full Gig Guide is now available to download at www.atlanticsessions.com.

Music fans can look forward to three days of unmissable performances in a wide variety of venues, as well as a special Opening Night Show on Thursday 14^th November at Portrush Playhouse featuring rising stars, pop-noir duo – Dark Tropics!

The Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Councillor Ciarán McQuillan, commented: “We are excited to launch the programme for Atlantic Sessions 2024 and delighted with the range of talent we have been able to secure for this year’s festival.

“Council is grateful for the support of our venue proprietors, and visitors can once again look forward to the warmest of welcomes in Portrush and Portstewart. As we have seen in previous years, the fantastic variety of free musical entertainment, in two of our most beautiful coastal locations, is a winning combination for everyone.

 

“We are very proud of Atlantic Session’s ongoing reputation as a place to celebrate emerging talent as well as established artists and, with a top-class programme of events on offer, we are looking forward to another very successful weekend on the Causeway Coast which I’d encourage you to come along to.”

Programmed by Get Shep on behalf of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, this year’s festival will feature some Atlantic Sessions favourites, such as The Bonnevilles,Tony Villiers (& the Villians), Ken Haddock and King Cedar.

Headliners include Mary Coughlan, Johnny Brady and two of Northern Ireland’s most promising young bands, Polar Bolero and the Tally Lally Band, who will play Flowerfield Arts Centre on Friday 15^th November.

Plus BBC’s Ralph McLean will host a special ‘In the Round’ with Ferna (winner of the NI Music Prize 2022), Reevah (nominated for NI Music Prize 2024) and Jordan O’Keefe in Portrush Town Hall on Saturday 16^th November.

A host of bands, brand new to the festival, will perform at the free music trail, including Telezura, the 2:19, The Renegade Kings and Revue. Also look out for free performances by the 2024 Music Prize nominated artists Reevah and Conchur White!

We will also see the return of Matt McGinn and Malojian performing together in a different guise with their new band ‘Dead Goat’ for a free Closing Party gig on Sunday 17^th November.

Tickets are now on sale for all of our headline events at www.atlanticsessions.com. All other gigs on the Music Trail are admission free and no booking is required.

Alongside the not-to-be-missed free gigs, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council are working with hospitality partners to ensure visitors can access a range of accommodation to enhance their stay. Check out all the Autumn special offers at www.Visitcausewaycoastandglens.com.

 

Make sure to follow Atlantic Sessions on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest announcements.

 

This year’s countdown to Christmas will begin with the annual lights switch-on at Belfast City Hall on Saturday 16 November.

Belfast Lord Mayor Councillor Micky Murray will be joined on stage by comperes Pete Snodden, Rebecca McKinney and Paulo Ross from Cool FM’s breakfast show for a packed programme of entertainment for all the family.

Tickets will be available from visitbelfast.com on a first-come-first-served basis from 10am on Tuesday 5 November, with a second release of tickets available from 7pm on the same evening. There will be a limit of five tickets per booking.

Looking ahead to this year’s entertainment programme, Councillor Murray said: “This year’s Christmas lights switch-on promises to be a fantastic evening of family fun to get everyone into the Christmas spirt and officially kick-start the festive period.

“We are packing a variety of performances into an hour-long programme including music from talented local singer-songwriter Sasha Samara representing the Oh Yeah Music Centre, carols from Finaghy Primary School and Christmas songs from Ballyhackamore Rock Choir.

 

“We’ll also have acrobatic thrills and skills from Tumble Circus, a performance from The MAC’s Christmas pantomime ‘The Adventures of Red Riding Hood’, a routine from Belvoir Players Theatre Academy’s production of ‘Frosted’, plus bagpipes from the current Ireland under 13 bagpipe champion!

 

“The day also sees the opening of the popular Belfast Christmas Market at 12 noon and the start of a six-week festive entertainment programme in our Winter’s Den at 2 Royal Avenue. It will host activities and events for all ages including choir performances, Santa’s post office, tea dances, art workshops, sensory activities, a doggie fashion show, silent discos and much more.”

Stuart Robinson, Content Director Bauer Media NI: “We’re absolutely delighted to partner with Belfast City Council for this year’s Christmas Lights Switch-On! Christmas is a particularly special time for our radio stations – Cool FM’s ‘Cash for Kids Mission Christmas’ campaign aims to ensure every child in Northern Ireland receives a gift on Christmas morning and over on Downtown Radio we flip our entire music format to Christmas songs for the month of December – so it’s fitting that our presenters will help officially kick off the festive season in our city!”

The switch-on event on Saturday 16 November will last around an hour, with gates opening at 6pm and the event starting at 6.30pm. There will be road closures in effect in the city centre from earlier in the afternoon, so those attending are encouraged to use public transport and allow extra time for their journeys.

Tickets for the wheelchair accessible viewing platform can be booked in person at the Visit Belfast Welcome Centre or by calling 028 9024 6609 on Tuesday 5 November from 10am. These are limited to two per booking.

For full details of the switch-on event and other festive events in Belfast city centre and beyond, visit www.belfastcity.gov.uk/christmas

The Leid and Lairn Festival, happening in Ards and North Down throughout November, is a celebration of the rich language, culture, and history of the Ulster-Scots tradition. The festival provides a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in Ulster-Scots, from its language and powerful folklore to its influential role in shaping local history.

Organised by Ards and North Down Borough Council, the programme offers a vibrant mix of events that showcase the depth and beauty of Ulster-Scots heritage through music, poetry, storytelling, and historical walks and an exhibition. Taking place across the Borough, the events offer something for everyone.

Highlights of the festival include Stories and Songs of the Seanchaí at Portico, Portaferry on Saturday 2 November. Join folksinger, songwriter and storyteller Colin Urwin for some beautiful ballads and rhyming monologues. Steeped in a lifetime of traditions of his beloved Glens of Antrim, Colin has long been exposed to traditional Irish and Scottish music, song and story. He is most inspired by the people, places, the history and legends and the sheer, rugged romance of the northeast coast of Ireland. From these conjure up many of his beautiful ballads, magical monologues and delicately woven tales of wonder. Tickets cost £10.

NI Opera will present From Old to New: Ulster Scots Songs at Ards Arts Centre on Wednesday 13 November. This lunchtime concert will explore how Ulster Scots song has changed over time, performed by mezzo soprano Carolyn Dobbin and pianist Tristan Russcher, who will lead you on a path through the evolutions of Ulster-Scots songs across an hour of beautiful song and fascinating musical insights. Tickets cost £6, including tea / coffee and shortbread.

Speaking about the programme, Ards and North Down Borough Council’s Arts and Heritage Manager, Emily Crawford said: “We are delighted to offer the first Leid and Lairn festival for the borough of Ards and North Down. There’s lots of exciting events on offer over the next month and in particular through stories and song we hope to engage, educate and entertain attendees on the importance and rich cultural heritage of the Ulster-Scots tradition.”

Tickets are on sale now and can be booked online at ANDCulture.org.uk, or in person at Ards Arts Centre, North Down Museum, or any of the Ards and North Down Visitor Information Centres.

To view the full programme, visit; www.andculture.org.uk