Saturday 28^th November heralds the return of the much anticipated Georgian Day celebrations to Armagh City. For many, this is the beginning of the Christmas season as the Georgian era ushered in so many of the traditions we still follow today.

This family friendly event, now in its 12^th year has been inspired by Armagh’s unique and historic Georgian cityscape. Georgian day helps to bring the city’s Georgian history and stories alive in an interactive way and allows the visitor to step back in time and immerse themselves in all things Georgian. The city will be transformed with activities and entertainment taking place from 10am – 9pm; the majority of which are free of charge.

Over 70 festive stalls will line their way around the city streets offering locally produced food, drinks and high quality gifts. To add to the occasion, stallholders will serve their customers attired in Georgian dress and throughout the day there will be Christmas music and entertainment from Georgian singers. The local Georgian gentry will be strolling around the city streets, ready to inform and entertain their visitors and to encourage everyone to take part in the traditional games and workshops taking place.  The scent of warm mince pies and mulled wine will linger in the air and add to the unique atmosphere.

Many of the beautiful Georgian buildings which create the attractive backdrop to this event will be open during the day for tours. These include the Archbishops Palace, Public Library, Observatory and Gaol and a city walking tour will also be available.

Traditional horse and carriage rides around the iconic Mall encapsulate the Georgian atmosphere. (A small charge applies and tickets must be booked online.) Be sure to wrap up snugly and don’t forget your camera! This may be Georgian day but social media shares are allowed #georgianday!

A new addition to the 2015 festivities is the Children’s Christmas market, open from 1-9pm. Located in The Shambles Yard, this magical experience, designed with children in mind includes real reindeer, a carousel, festive bakery and Post Office, Christmas fairy, storytelling and disco. The stalls have been specially selected to appeal to children. Christmas workshops including glass bauble and Christmas cookie decorating plus letter writing to Santa will ensure everyone is entertained. Activities at the Children’s market continue well into the evening with fire performers and large willow lanterns providing a canvas in the night sky. Gingerbread Alley is sure to appeal to children of all ages. Come along and see the work of our talented local chefs. A family treasure hunt weaves its way around the city and provides a prize to all entrants – Georgian chocolate!

As darkness descends on Armagh, the Georgian Day lightshow bursts into life. The new show entitled “Twas the Light before Christmas” transforms the Market House into a shimmering canvas with images and other special effects, set to festive music and marking the arrival of Santa Claus to the city. This show takes place on the hour between 5-8pm; tickets are free but must be booked in advance.

To facilitate your visit to Georgian Day, a free park and ride system will be in operation throughout the day. Many of the local retailers will be providing festive offers.

For more information on Georgian Day and what’s happening in Armagh this Christmas visit www.armagh.co.uk/georgian or contact Armagh Visitor Information Centre T: 028 3752 1800. This event is kindly supported by Tourism Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland has a unique collection of irresistible places to stay including quirky B&Bs, luxurious spa hotels and hidden gem properties for the perfect short break and Tourism NI has selected the best offers of the week for you to choose from.

• 2 Nights Bed and Breakfast Weekend, Armagh City Hotel, Armagh. From £99pps. Guests can enjoy a luxurious en suite bedroom and delicious modern Irish cuisine in the Friary Restaurant and live entertainment every weekend. There is also free car parking. Available until Dec 13. To book call (028) 3751 8888. Please quote promo code Autumn Leaves.

• 2 Night Golf Break, Millbrook Lodge Hotel, Ballynahinch. From £97pps. 2 nights bed and breakfast with evening meal voucher to the value of £20 on one night and a round of golf at Spa Golf Club. Just a short distance from the scenic Mourne Mountains, the Millbrook Lodge is a family owned hotel, where the charm of a beautiful Georgian building has been carefully integrated with modern comfort and amenities. Mon to Thurs – £97pps, Fri or Sat – £107pps. Available until Dec 13. To book call (028) 9756 2828. Please quote Promo Code Autumn Leaves.

• Romantic break, Ramada Da Vinci’s Hotel, Derry, Derry~Londonderry. From £89pps. Enjoy a romantic weekend getaway in the City of Derry at Da Vinci’s Hotel for two night’s bed and breakfast, an evening meal on one of the evenings plus the choice of a bottle of wine in your room or a walking tour of the historic Derry Walls. Available until Dec 13. To book call (028) 7127 9111. Please quote Promo Code Autumn Leaves.

Tourism NI has put together a list of 10 exciting things to do in Northern Ireland next week (November 9 – 15).

• Tonic Health & Wellness Festival, Queens Road, Queen’s Island, Belfast, November 11. This festival will highlight a range of health and wellness options on offer for individuals and families by providing a range of natural therapies, nutritious healthy food options, demos and topical workshops and talks. There will be a healthy kids and families area, crafts and complementary therapy taster sessions, to name but a few.

• What A Feeling, The Courtyard Theatre, Newtownabbey, Co. Antrim, November 14. ‘What A Feeling’ is a high energy musical journey through the 1980s that will transport you back to the days of shoulder pads, legwarmers and big hair. The music, the lights, the clothes – all packaged into a two hour fast moving spectacular show that will keep you entertained and dancing in the aisles from start to finish. Show begins 8pm.

• Belfast Christmas Light Switch-On, Belfast City Hall, November 14. Join the Lord Mayor of Belfast and special guests on Saturday November 14 from 6.45pm – 7.30pm as they light up the city with the annual Christmas Lights Switch-On event. Further details to be announced shortly.

• Atlantic Sessions Festival, Portrush and Portstewart venues, Co. Antrim and Co. Londonderry, November 12-15. Now in its sixth year, Atlantic Sessions on the North Coast is gathering a great reputation with performers and music lovers. It is a high quality musical feast showcasing original music interpreted by artists in a number of ways from traditional to contemporary and electric to acoustic.

• Twilight Market at St George’s Market, East Bridge Street, Belfast, November 11. St George’s Market will play host to the first ever Twilight Market to be held in the city’s award-winning venue. The local market will be transformed into foodie heaven where visitors will be able to feast on some of the unique food elements that make up Belfast’s thriving foodie sector. There’ll be a wide selection of local pop up restaurants and local food producers, all combined with entertaining chef demonstrations, food tastings, chef talks and live music and DJs. From 6-11pm.

• William Kennedy Piping Festival, Victoria Street, Armagh, Co. Armagh, November 12-15. The festival celebrates the worldwide community of piping and has hosted piping traditions from all over the globe and is now recognised as the premier International Piping Festival in the World.

• The Psychic Ghost Walk – Newry, from The Bank Bar, Newry, Co. Down, until December 20. The Psychic Ghost Walk includes a visit to Gallows Hill and the haunted atmospheric tunnels beneath the city streets. Visitors are advised to wear sensible shoes and clothing to suit the weather. Takes place Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, from 9pm – 11pm.

• Gutz, Alley Theatre, Railway Street, Strabane, Co. Tyrone, November 12. ‘Gutz’ promises to be an explosion of creative dance, drama and music. The Alley Theatre is delighted to be welcoming back this must-see musical featuring a star studded cast, phenomenal 10 piece live band and an extensive chorus. Begins at 7.30pm.

• Ulaid – Three Of The Very Finest, Duncairn Centre for Culture & Arts, Duncairn Avenue, Belfast, November 13. Three of Ireland’s favourite musicians will take you on an emotive and uplifting musical journey, from Ireland to the neighbouring Celtic regions and they will chart the path from the ancient music of the Gael to the modern face of traditional Irish music today! From 8pm.

• Fermanagh Choral Society – A Celebration of Music, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh, November 15. Fermanagh Choral Society, Sligo Concert Band and Churchill Silver Band will be taking part in a celebration of music in St. Macartin’s Cathedral and conducted by Donal Swain. From 7pm.

Please note some of the events require pre-booking. For more details on these and other events click on www.discovernorthernireland.com/events, visit your local tourist information centre or log onto www.facebook.com/discovernorthernireland.

Down

Take in the stunning scenery at Edenmore Golf Club at their Wedding Fayre on Sunday 8^th November. Find out what they can offer both you and your wedding guests for your special day as they host a varied list of respected and successful exhibitors within the industry.  Enjoy a delicious drinks and canape reception in the elegant foyer – FREE ENTRY for all guests and goodie bags for the first 50 bride and grooms-to-be and prize draws throughout the day.

Armagh

The most popular of all classical ballets, Swan Lake, and the world-renowned Moscow Ballet – La Classique demonstrate their continued quality of dance and performances in a dramatic production of this timeless favourite set to Tchaikovsky’s superb score at the Market Place Theatre Saturday 7^th November.  The ballet is a favourite of ballerinas and audiences alike; all leading dancers want to dance Swan lake during their careers and all audiences want to see them dance in this, the ultimate fairy tale ballet.

Fermanagh

Featuring a company of 12 dancers, Ballet Ireland is delighted to return to the Ardhowen Theatre with the comical ballet Coppelia on Saturday 7^th November. Franz and his financee Hildy are curious about the beautiful girl, Coppélia. Jealous of Franz’s infatuation with Coppélia, Hildy begins to suspect things are not all that they seem.

Tyrone

When Gulliver returns from another amazing experience at sea, his family are more than a little perplexed at the Alley Theatre this Saturday evening.  They had just about coped with the giants, the tiny people, the floating islands and outlandish inventions. But a world ruled by horses? That’s a different kettle of fish. Only one thing is certain; family life will never be the same again.  Join us for an uproarious theatrical adventure as Gulliver and his family learn to live together in a strange new world where weird is the new normal.

Derry/Londonderry

Enjoy a family afternoon of classic cartoon shorts from Disney at Roe Valley Arts Centre this Saturday afternoon.  Featuring all the favourites including Mickey Mouse, Daffy Duck, Sylvester the Cat and Tweetie Pie, Pluto the Dog and more, the compiled shorts are a trip down memory lane for Mum and Dad and guaranteed hilarious entertainment for the kids. Pre-screening workshop for children also available from 11am-1.30pm

Antrim

Join James Huish and his amazing 10 piece band pay homage to a timeless legend at Theatre at the Mill on 5th and 6th November.  2015 is the year that the incredible “King Of Swing” Mr Frank Sinatra would have celebrated his 100th birthday.  James could not let this year pass without a tribute concert dedicated to the life of his biggest idol and inspiration.

Belfast

Moscow Ballet, La Classique, brings Sleeping Beauty to the Waterfront on Thursday 5^th November.  Tchaikovsky’s sumptuous music fills the air as enchanting characters come to life during this sparkling, multi-coloured spectacle.  Join our King, Queen, Good and Evil Fairies, Fairies of Gold, Silver, Diamonds and Sapphire, the handsome Prince, and of course, Princess Aurora, as they weave their magic!  Sleeping Beauty is a story lovingly re-told and re-enacted down through the generations, but never before performed so magnificently as by Russia’s finest, Moscow Ballet La Classique.

Add your events free at www.whatsonni.com. Follow us on twitter @whatsonNI and on facebook at fb.com/www.whatsonni.com for news, competitions and what’s on near you.

The Navan Centre & Fort, Armagh has a new Santa experience for 2015, Santa’s Magical Elves.  Running on various dates throughout December this promises to be a fantastic family Christmas experience.

Santa’s Magical Elves ‘at Navan Centre & Fort, Armagh will take you on an enchanted Christmas Journey with Santa’s little helpers who arrive on their very own Elf Mobile!

How did the Elves come to be at Navan?  How did they help Santa make Christmas?  Be captivated by the secrets of the Elves as you journey with them from Navan to the wonderful ‘Elf-ville’

On your travels the Elves will stamp your Christmas Ticket allowing you unlock the gates on ‘Elf-ville’ to meet with Santa in his magical kingdom, where he has gifts for all the boys and girls!

Cost: Adult £5.15, Child £10.30 and Under 1 £5.15, this will include a gift for children and tea-time treat for adults to take away and enjoy.  There is 10% discount for parties of 12 or more, when made as one booking.

Pre-essential is essential.  For dates, times and booking www.armagh.co.uk/santa

For information please contact: Navan Centre, 81 Killylea Road, Armagh.  BT60 4LD.  Tel 028 3752 9644

The final line up for this year’s’ Atlantic Sessions Music Festival’ has been announced! The Festival, which will run from 12^th until 15^th November, will feature almost 50 FREE gigs at various bars, coffee shops and hotels in Portrush, Portstewart and Portballintrae.

Organised and funded by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council’s Tourism Team, in conjunction with participating venues, Atlantic Sessions presents an eclectic mix of home grown music, with unplugged acoustic sessions to full-on indie-folk, Americana, cool electro sounds and everything else in between.

Having just announced that they will support the highly acclaimed ‘Hozier’ on his UK tour early next year, ‘Wyvern Lingo* will headline Atlantic Sessions at Flowerfield Arts Centre, Portstewart on Friday 13^th November. ‘Paddy Casey* will also perform a special concert on the Sunday evening at Flowerfield to close the four day festival.

Other ticketed events include Mandy Bingham, Amanda St John and Edelle McMahon, who will open the Festival on Thursday 12^th November with ‘A Celebration of Female Singer-Songwriters’ at Flowerfield Arts Centre and Hannah McPhillimy at Portrush Town Hall on Saturday 14^th. BBC Radio Ulster’s Ralph McLean will host the popular ‘Sunday Brunch Session’, an intimate in-the-round session with a collection of the featured artists.

New to the programme this year are two movie showings, presented by ‘Portrush Film Theatre’ at the ‘Playhouse Cinema’, Portrush. The screenings include ‘Amy (15)’, the controversial documentary about Amy Winehouse and the award winning film ‘Whiplash (15)’.

Also on the menu for this musical feast are winners of the 2015 London Galaxy Award for ‘Best Album’, The Vals, who toured with Paul Weller earlier this year, and Cup O’Joe who were nominated for the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award for 2015.

Other artists on the FREE Music Trail include; the multi award winner, Kaz Hawkins; PORTS; Jessica Doherty; Rosborough; Scorpion Jack; Son of the Hound, Lonesome George, Paddy Nash and the Happy Enchiladas, Old Hannah and Manouche, plus a load more of original talent from across the country!

Tickets for the headline acts and events are now available online at atlanticsessions.com or from Flowerfield Arts Centre, telephone 028 7083 1400. For further information or to view the full programme visit www.atlanticsessions.com. Find ‘Atlantic Sessions’ on Facebook, or follow the Twitter page @AtlanticSess for updates.

Tourism NI has put together a list of 10 exciting things to do in Northern Ireland next week (November 2 – 8).

• Belfast Design Week, various locations, Belfast, November 2-8, Belfast Design Week is a series of specially curated talks, workshops, events, pop-ups and exhibitions to promote and celebrate design and the creative economy in Belfast and beyond. It will showcase emerging and established talent and aims to create new connections across island-wide industries.

• Jamboree In The Park, Ecclesville Centre, Fintona, Co. Tyrone, November 6 – 7. The place to be this November is at Irelands Largest Indoor Country Music Festival that is Jamboree In The Park! With a range of top country music stars it is set to be an unforgettable night. From Johnny Brady to Nathan Carter, Lisa McHugh to Ritchie Remo and many more. Doors open at 7.30pm.

• Sound of Belfast 2015, various locations, Belfast, November 6-14. There are 27 events in 9 days in a festival that showcases new talent, veteran punks, electronic acts, traditional music and urban artists. Events are taking place at the Mandela Hall, Lavery’s, The Pavilion, Voodoo, The Ulster Hall, The Empire and the Bar With No Name.

• The Moscow Ballet – Swan Lake, The Market Place Theatre, Market Street, Co. Armagh, November 7. The most popular of all classical ballets and the world-renowned Moscow Ballet – La Classique demonstrate their continued quality of dance and performances in a dramatic production of this timeless favourite set to Tchaikovsky’s superb score. From 8pm.

• Nocturnal Nature Tour at Crom Estate, Newtownbutler, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh, November 5-6. Experience a personal tour with one of the rangers. Hear all about what lives and lurks around the magnificent estate when darkness falls. Booking essential.

• Family Film Saturday: Classic Cartoon Capers, Roe Valley Arts & Cultural Centre, Main Street, Limavady, Co. Londonderry, November 7. Enjoy a family afternoon of classic cartoon shorts from Disney.  Featuring all the favourites including Mickey Mouse, Daffy Duck, Sylvester the Cat and Tweetie Pie, Pluto the Dog and more. The compiled shorts are a trip down memory lane for Mum and Dad and guaranteed hilarious entertainment for the kids. From 2 – 4pm.

• Cinemagic International Film Festival, various locations, Northern Ireland, until November 4. The much anticipated Cinemagic Film and Television Festival is jam-packed with creative events to motivate, educate and inspire young people! This year’s closing film preview is the World Premiere of Cinemagic’s own feature production ‘A Christmas Star’, featuring a host of film and television professionals and young actors from all over Ireland.

• ‘The Hooley Tour’ with Declan Nerney and his Band, The Braid Arts Centre, Bridge Street, Ballymena, Co. Antrim, November 5. Declan Nerney is an Irish singer of the Country and Irish genre. His big break came with his autobiographical song ‘The Marquee in Drumlish’. He has a huge following and charts on a regular basis not only in Ireland but in Scotland and England and his recordings are sought worldwide. From 8pm.

• Simply Science, Castle Espie Wildfowl & Wetlands Centre, Ballydrain Road, Co. Down, November 7-8. Join the friendly education team and take part in fun experiments to learn more about the world around us – a great experience for families who want to have fun and discover some fascinating facts along the way!

• Kiltonga Tour and Tales with Liz Weir, Kiltonga Nature Reserve, Belfast Road, Newtownards, Co. Down, November 8. Wrap up warm and enjoy a guided tour of Kitonga Nature Reserve in all its autumnal glory. Enjoy a warming hot chocolate or cuppa before settling in for an hour of enchanting storytelling at the beautiful Kiltonga Hall with Liz Weir. Tour 2.30pm Tales 4pm.

Please note some of the events require pre-booking. For more details on these and other events click on www.discovernorthernireland.com/events, visit your local tourist information centre or log onto www.facebook.com/discovernorthernireland.

The Market Place Theatre in Armagh is set for enthralling drama from Brendan Behan and musical reminiscence with the songs of Joe Dolan.

pBrendan Behan’s ‘The Hostage’ tells the tale of a decaying lodging house in Dublin in the 1950s, host to a large collection of whores, decaying civil servants, skivvies, navvies, fanatics and Russian sailors. These are tense times as a young IRA volunteer is about to be hanged in Belfast. Despite this, the party and shenanigans continue in the house in the form of song, dance, stories and the outplaying of relationships. Suddenly into this already crazed mix arrives a young British soldier, kidnapped by the IRA for the life of the young man in Belfast. As the hours to the execution shorten, the motley crew in the house rally to the young soldier’s side. Can fate be avoided?

‘The Hostage’ will be staged at The Market Place on Wednesday 18^th and Thursday 19^th November at 8pm by one of Northern Ireland’s leading amateur theatre companies, Newpoint Players, who are now entering their 70th year. Tickets are priced £10 and £8 (concession).

‘My Brother Joe’ is a live concert show featuring Ben Dolan, brother of the late and much loved entertainer Joe Dolan. Throughout his singing career Joe Dolan’s energetic and charismatic stage performances thrilled audiences throughout the world. His brother Ben shared the stage with his younger brother for forty-seven fun-filled years. Who better than Ben to tell the stories behind Joe’s songs and highlight Joe’s successful singing career. The show also features Ben’s daughter Sandra, and his two sons, Adrian and Raymond and their own band ‘Karen And The Dolans’.

’No Show Like A Joe Show’ was always used to describe Joe’s live shows. ‘My Brother Joe’ recreates that excitement as we relive the songs and stories of the great Joe Dolan on Friday 20^th November at 8pm. Tickets are priced £20 each.

Details of all events can be found online at www.marketplacearmagh.com, and tickets can be booked by contacting the Box Office on [028] 3752 1821. And to keep up-to-date with the latest news at the Market Place Theatre, you can follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/marketplacearmagh) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/mptarmagh) where you will find all the latest information, special offers and video previews.

EVERY week Northern Ireland has a host of exciting events, must-see attractions and a range of experiences to get out and enjoy and Tourism Northern Ireland (TNI) has detailed one that will be a big hit with little monsters – ‘Spellbound Festival’.

Feeling brave? This Hallowe’en half term, visitors to Castle Espie Wetland Centre can enjoy a whole host of Hallowe’en activities for little monsters at the Spellbound Festival this week (finishing Saturday 31).

There’s the chance to get crafty making spooky spiders, have a go at the hilarious games such as lob the ghost, catch the witch or traditional apple games and concoct a witch’s potion on the Recipe for Disaster Trail around the reserve.

The frighteningly good fun continues on Friday 30 and Saturday 31 October with Hallowe’en treats including face painting, giant creepy crawlies with Mantella Environmental and Monster Mash Discos packed with spooky hits and fireside storytelling in the roundhouse.

Throughout the Spellbound Festival week there’ll be spot prizes for the best dressed little monsters and visitors to Castle Espie can enter into a prize draw to win a family pass to meet the Giant LEGO Brick Animals and LEGO Brick Workshop tickets in February and March 2016.

Entrance to the Spellbound Festival is included in the cost of admission to Castle Espie and free to WWT members and under 4’s. For a full event programme including timings for individual activities go to wwt.org.uk/castleespie/spellbound or contact Castle Espie on 028 9187 4146. WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre is open every day from 10am to 5.00pm, parking is free of charge.

There are some fantastic things to see and do in the area including:

Mount Stewart – Visitors can explore the stunning house and gardens at Mount Stewart at their leisure through free flow tours. Throughout their journey the story of Edith, Lady Londonderry and the Londonderry family will be interpreted and visitors can view a unique exhibition revealing the story of the Restoration Project and its legacy. There is a picnic area and cafe available on the grounds for refreshments.

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/mount-stewart

Ballywalter Beach – Ballywalter Beach is a long, sandy beach which is perfect spot for an autumn walk. Bathers and walkers can make use of this expansive stretch at Ballywalter Beach, along with its rock pools ready for children to explore. A small playground is located nearby, along with public toilets. At the Lime Kilns, a raised area provides great views of the Irish Sea coastline. www.visitstrangfordlough.co.uk

The Ark Open Farm – The Ark Open Farm has grown in size and popularity over the years, most recently there has been a new woodland walk developed complete with picnic site. There are various animals who call The Ark Open Farm home such as meerkats, reindeer, kangaroo’s, pigs, donkeys and many more who are all ready to meet visitors. www.thearkopenfarm.co.uk/

If you would like to extend your stay and book a short break visit  www.discovernorthernireland.com, www.facebook.com/discovernorthernireland or www.twitter.com/DiscoverNI.

Fresh from its sold out performances at the Baboró International Arts Festival for Children in  Galway, The Wolf and Peter is in rehearsals for its UK Premiere at The Mac in Belfast on Wednesday 28-Friday 30 October.

The spectacular dance performance by the multi award-winning CoisCéim Dance Theatre is a re-imagining of Russian composer, Prokofiev’s, Peter and the Wolf – one of the most famous pieces of music ever written. This timeless story of courage and imagination will also, this time, be told through the eyes of the WOLF.  The Wolf and Peter will take children, and their families, on a thrilling adventure to explore and discover contemporary dance and performance at its best. For children aged 6+. Book now at belfastinternationalartsfestival.com.