{"id":10356,"date":"2015-11-18T12:15:57","date_gmt":"2015-11-18T11:15:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/?p=10356"},"modified":"2015-11-18T12:16:13","modified_gmt":"2015-11-18T11:16:13","slug":"sparkling-start-to-festive-and-fun-christmas-in-ards-and-north-down","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/2015\/11\/sparkling-start-to-festive-and-fun-christmas-in-ards-and-north-down\/","title":{"rendered":"Sparkling start to festive AND fun Christmas in Ards and North Down"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ards and North Down is getting ready to light up for Christmas with switch on events taking place in the borough\u2019s five towns – Bangor, Holywood, Newtownards, Comber and Donaghadee – over the next few weeks.<\/h1>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Getting ready to light up Bangor\u2019s Seafront ahead of this Saturday\u2019s Christmas Market and Christmas Lights Switch On Event; L to R: Paula Kane, Bangor Chamber of Commerce, Kerry O\u2019Brien from Omeya Day Spa, The Mayor of Ards and North Down Alderman Alan Graham, and Hannah Robinson from The Red Berry. The Christmas Market will be taking place in The McKee Clock Arena from 11am to 7pm and the lights will be switched on following a spectacular fireworks display at The Seafront at 5.30pm. The event is the first in Ards and North Down Borough Council\u2019s Festive AND Fun Christmas campaign.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Just five in a line-up of over 34 festive AND fun events, organised by Ards and North Down Borough Council, taking place across the borough throughout the Christmas season, the switch ons are sure to get you in the celebratory mood. <\/strong><\/p>\n

For the first time in 10 years, Bangor\u2019s seafront will be lit up with a spectacular fireworks display when the switch on event moves venue to the McKee Clock Arena at Queen\u2019s Parade. The event, which is taking place on Saturday 21 November, will include a magical Christmas market from 11am – 7pm, <\/strong>featuring all of Bangor\u2019s best-loved stores.\u00a0 The official switch on by the Mayor of Ards and North Down, Alderman Alan Graham, will follow the fireworks finale at 5.30pm. Spectators are invited to enjoy the fireworks from viewing points along the promenade.<\/p>\n

On Friday 27 November the Christmas lights will be switched on in Conway Square, Newtownards. Local traders will be showcasing the range of fabulous festive gifts available in local shops from 12 noon at a special outdoor Christmas market. \u00a0At 7pm Ards Arts Centre will be transformed into an illuminated Advent Calendar, with a display in each window.\u00a0 Festive street theatre and a special joint performance by Bangor Ladies Choir and Donaghadee Male Voice Choir will precede the lights being switched on by the Deputy Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Carl McClean.<\/p>\n

Then on Saturday 28 November, there will be more family festive fun in Holywood with their annual Christmas lights switch on event.\u00a0 Featuring a Christmas Market, Open House choir, an ice-rink, a visit from Santa, a giant snowman, activities in the library and street theatre, the event promises to be a great day out for the whole family.\u00a0 The market will trade from 11am – 6pm and the lights will be switched on by the Mayor at 4.30pm.<\/p>\n

The Mayor will also be switching on the lights in Comber Square on Thursday 26 November at 4pm where a special Christmas Fair will feature a range of tasty gifts and treats from local traders.\u00a0 Families are invited to bring the kid\u2019s to Santa\u2019s grotto and get into the festive spirit.<\/p>\n

On Sunday 6 December, the Deputy Mayor will be switching on the lights in Donaghadee following a community carol service at First Presbyterian Church at 7pm. This will conclude a weekend of festive activities in the town that will include fireworks, a Santa parade, an outdoor ice rink and a 5K Santa fun run.<\/p>\n

<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Christmas fun doesn\u2019t end there! \u00a0Project 24 is also hosting a fantastic Christmas event on Friday 4 December. A land of Christmas fairy tale with twinkling lights, festive foods and a special appearance from Santa and his reindeer will accompany the grand switch on at 7pm.<\/p>\n

Looking forward to the festive AND fun switch on events, Mayor of Ards and North Down, Alderman Alan Graham, said:<\/p>\n

\u201cThe switching on of the Christmas tree lights in towns across the borough are perfect events to make everyone in the family feel the festive season has arrived. Wrap up warmly and come along and enjoy what each of these special events has to offer.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/em><\/p>\n

These are primarily outdoor events; please dress appropriately. All events are subject to change. Admission and activities are all free.\u00a0 Find out more about all our events at visitardsandnorthdown.com<\/a>.\u00a0 For festive pictures, updates and promotions ‘like us’ on Facebook.\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Ards and North Down is getting ready to light up for Christmas with switch on events taking place in the borough\u2019s five towns – Bangor, Holywood, Newtownards, Comber and Donaghadee – over the next few weeks. Just five in a line-up of over 34 festive AND fun events, organised by Ards and North Down Borough … Continued<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10356"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10356"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10356\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10359,"href":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10356\/revisions\/10359"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10356"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10356"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10356"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}