What's On in County Down

Stunning coastlines, towering hills, and charming towns — that's County Down! After all, this county is home to the highest mountain in Northern Ireland. A trip to the Mourne County is sure to leave you feeling upbeat and positive, with everything that it has to offer. From lively festivals celebrating local food to fun-filled days at historic castles, there's always something new to discover in this beautiful part of Northern Ireland.

Spring Spectacular, Hillsborough Castle (15 Mar - 5 May)

This spring, Hillsborough Castle and Gardens invites visitors to experience extravaganza of blooms. The Spring Spectacular returns, featuring an unprecedented number of bulbs that have been meticulously planted to create vibrant floral installations throughout the royal residence's grounds. Guests can expect to see a diverse array of springtime blooms, including fragrant hyacinths, colourful tulips, and a selection of Northern Irish daffodils. Following a leisurely stroll through the gardens, visitors may enjoy refreshments at the café.

Wake the Giant, Warrenpoint (28 - 29 June)

Finn the friendly giant lives in Warrenpoint, near his sidekick the Point Man. Every year they go for a stroll through the town, all 32-feet tall of them. As you’d expect, over the years this has caused quite the stir in these parts and now thousands come to witness the giants’ walk. This vibrant festival celebrates the town's unique heritage and legends, and offers visitors a weekend full of exciting events and activities. From live music and performances, to Giants food feast and children’s activities, there's something for everyone to enjoy. The story of Finn and his folklore friends is brought to life through theatre, music, character performances and storytelling throughout the town, culminating in a colourful, interactive moving theatre.

Fiddlers Green Festival, Rostrevor (16 - 20 July)

One of the longest-running festivals of its type, the Fiddler’s Green Festival in beautiful Rostrevor is far more than just a music performance festival. It’s jam-packed with dozens of music-related events and happenings and makes for a friendly focal point for any visit to the area in high summer. Lovers of folk, traditional, blues, country and classical music are all well catered-for. This easy going festival can be enjoyed by everyone, even those happy just to soak up the free music, culture and atmosphere. The festival includes a number of highlights each year including The Festival Folk Club which hosts a line-up of internationally acclaimed artists and The Acoustic Stage in An Cuan.

Blues on the Bay, Warrenpoint (21 - 27 May)

The sea isn’t the only thing that’s blue in Warrenpoint. Every May the sound of blues and jazz music fills the bars, cafes, public spaces and streets of this picturesque waterside town. Celebrating its incredible 25th anniversary, the International Blues on the Bay Festival will become every music fan’s paradise this year as it hosts seven-days of over 60 free breath-taking blues and jazz gigs, music and jam sessions. That’s 8 gigs a day if you’re counting, but you’re allowed to miss one or two. Featuring amazing international blues musicians from across the globe and closer to home, you'll find something for all tastes.

We hope this information proves helpful. Check this space regularly for exciting updates on local festivals and events. We hope you have a brilliant time exploring County Down.

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Spring Spectacular at Hillsborough Castle

Royal Hillsborough

Address

Hillsborough Castle & Gardens, Royal Hillsborough, County Down, BT26 6AG

Telephone
0333 320 6000

hillsboroughcastle@hrp.org.uk

Type

Type:

Nature

See Northern Ireland’s royal residence burst into colour as Spring Spectacular returns to Hillsborough Castle and Gardens. More bulbs than ever have been planted to create stunning floral displays and installations across beds, pots, barrels—even a…

Dates

From:

15 Mar 2025to5 May 2025

More Info
Aardman presents Lloyd of the Flies Wetland Bug Hunt

Comber

Address

WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre, 78 Ballydrain Road, Comber, County Down, BT23 6EA

Telephone
02891874146

info.castleespie@wwt.org.uk

Type

Type:

Family Fun

Dive into the wonderful world of wetland insects with Lloyd and his new friend Dart the dragonfly at WWT Castle Espie.
Lloyd and friends will join our own cast of wetland minibeasts. Follow the trail to help Lloyd and tour guide Dart the dragonfly…

Dates

From:

5 Apr 2025to1 June 2025Open 10:00 - 17:00

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Easter Basket Workshop

Ballynahinch

Address

Montalto Estate, Spa Road, Ballynahinch, County Down, BT24 8PT

Telephone
02897566100

info@montaltoestate.com

Price
Price £50.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Easter Events

In the stunning surroundings of Montalto Estate, join us in Montalto House and learn how to make your very own Floral Easter Basket.

Dates

From:
5 Apr 2025Open 12:00 - 14:00

Price
Price £50.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Scarva Band Concerts

Scarva

Address

8 Main Street, Scarva, County Down, BT63 6LS

Telephone
028 3752 9644

info@visitarmagh.com

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Live Music

Scarva Bandstand concerts will take place at the Bandstand, Scarva each Sunday from 3-4pm starting Sunday 6 April and running weekly until Sunday 28 September. There will be no concert on Easter Sunday, 20 April. Admission is free, and limited…

Dates

From:

6 Apr 2025to28 Sept 2025Various Opening Times

Price
Free

More Info
Foraging Afloat

Killinchy

Address

Green Boat Shed Whiterock, Killinchy, County Down, BT23 6PY

Telephone
+44 (0) 7909 721 898

strangfordloughactivitycentre@hotmail.co.uk

Price
Price £85.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Outdoors Event

Spring is arriving on Strangford Lough and with it the arrival of an array of seasonal wild food emerges from the land and water. Join Rory Martin of Strangford Lough Activity Centre and David Thompson & Celia Spouncer from Wild About Tours for a…

Dates

From:
6 Apr 2025Open 13:30 - 16:30

Price
Price £85.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Insect Animation: Digital Art Workshop

Comber

Address

WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre, 78 Ballydrain Road, Comber, County Down, BT23 6EA

Telephone
02891874146

info.castleespie@wwt.org.uk

Type

Type:

Workshop

Create a wetland insect and learn how to animate your new character on their own mini wetland adventure.

Dates

From:
6 Apr 2025Open 13:00 - 15:00

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
The Lindt Gold Bunny Hunt at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens

Royal Hillsborough

Address

The Square, Royal Hillsborough, County Down, BT26 6AG

Telephone
02892 447622

hillsboroughcastle@hrp.org.uk

Type

Type:

Easter Events

Join the Lindt GOLD BUNNY Hunt in Hillsborough Castle's stunning gardens and enjoy some spring time family magic.

Dates

From:

12 Apr 2025to27 Apr 2025

More Info
Easter Craft Fair with North Down Craft Collective

Comber

Address

WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre, 78 Ballydrain Road, Comber, County Down, BT23 6EA

Telephone
02891874146

info.castleespie@wwt.org.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Markets / Fairs

Meet local artists and makers and shop their beautiful, handmade craft pieces. From textiles to ceramics, paintings to prints, and plenty more in between, you're sure to find something unique.

Dates

From:
13 Apr 2025Open 10:00 - 16:00

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Easter Egg Hunt at Rowallane Garden

Saintifeld

Address

Rowallane Garden, Rowallane Gardens, Saintifeld, County Down, BT24 7LH

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9751 0131

rowallane@nationaltrust.org.uk

Type

Type:

Easter Events

This spring, treat the whole family to a world of adventure at Rowallane Garden on an Easter trail.

Dates

From:

14 Apr 2025to27 Apr 2025Open 10:00 - 17:30

More Info
Easter Egg hunt at Mount Stewart

Newtownards

Address

Portaferry Road, Newtownards, County Down, BT22 2AD

Telephone
02842788387

mountstewart@nationaltrust.org.uk

Type

Type:

Easter Events

This spring, treat the whole family to a world of adventure at Mount Stewart on an Easter trail.

Dates

From:

14 Apr 2025to26 Apr 2025Open 10:00 - 17:00

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Easter Trail at Castle Ward

Strangford

Address

Castle Ward, Park Road, Strangford, County Down, BT30 7BA

Telephone
02844881204

castleward@nationaltrust.org.uk

Type

Type:

Easter Events

Something exciting is coming to Castle Ward this Easter—get ready to follow the trail, solve the clues, and claim your chocolate reward.

Dates

From:

15 Apr 2025to27 Apr 2025Open 10:00 - 16:00

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Easter Egg Hunt Trail with Easter Bunny & Alpacas

Ballynahinch

Address

Ballyburren 143 Dromore Road, Ballynahinch, County Down, BT24 8HZ

Telephone
+44 (0) 7828 309 740

info@ballyburren.com

Price
Price £18.00 to £56.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Easter Events

Easter Magic Unleashed! Follow the Easter Bunny on an egg hunt, crafting, and storytelling. Discover surprises, enjoy drinks, face-painting and alpacas, and end with a themed family photo. Let the Bunny guide you to Easter joy.

Dates

From:

17 Apr 2025to21 Apr 2025Open 09:30 - 17:00

Price
Price £18.00 to £56.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Facilities

Catering
- Restaurant on Premises
Facilities

Establishment Features
- Wi-fi available
Easter Weekend: Minibeast Hunting

Comber

Address

WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre, 78 Ballydrain Road, Comber, County Down, BT23 6EA

Telephone
02891874146

info.castleespie@wwt.org.uk

Type

Type:

Family Fun

This Easter weekend, embark on an exciting mission to uncover remarkable insects living in the woodland.

Dates

From:

18 Apr 2025to21 Apr 2025Various Opening Times

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Easter Weekend: Build a Bug Hotel

Comber

Address

WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre, 78 Ballydrain Road, Comber, County Down, BT23 6EA

Telephone
02891874146

info.castleespie@wwt.org.uk

Type

Type:

Family Fun

Get stuck in to help create a brand-new bug hotel for Castle Espie this Easter weekend.

Dates

From:
18 Apr 2025Open 14:00 - 16:00
From:
21 Apr 2025Open 14:00 - 16:00

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Easter Market at Castle Ward

Strangford

Address

Castle Ward, Park Road, Strangford, County Down, BT30 7BA

Telephone
02844881204

castleward@nationaltrust.org.uk

Type

Type:

Easter Events

Hop over to Castle Ward this Easter weekend for a vibrant market filled with local crafts, tasty treats, and family fun!

Dates

From:

19 Apr 2025to21 Apr 2025Open 11:00 - 17:00

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Easter at the Ulster Folk Museum

Holywood

Address

Ulster Folk Museum, 153 Bangor Road, Cultra, Holywood, County Down, BT18 0EU

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9042 8428

info@nationalmuseumsni.org

Type

Type:

Easter Events

Celebrate Easter at the Ulster Folk Museum with traditional activities, heritage craft demonstrations, and music for the entire family to enjoy!

Dates

From:

20 Apr 2025to22 Apr 2025Open 10:00 - 17:00

More Info
Easter Monday at Montalto

Ballynahinch

Address

Montalto Estate, Ballynahinch, County Down, BT24 8PT

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9756 6100

info@montaltoestate.com

Price
Price £25.20 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Easter Events

Join us for an Easter Monday Extravaganza at Montalto Estate - an exciting day out for the family.

Dates

From:
21 Apr 2025Open 10:00 - 15:00

Price
Price £25.20 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Behind the Scenes: Transport Store Tour

Holywood

Address

Ulster Transport Museum, 153 Bangor Road, Cultra, Holywood, County Down, BT18 0EU

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9042 8428

info@nationalmuseumsni.org

Price
Price £10.20 to £29.75 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Tour

Would you like to get behind the scenes of NI's Transport and Industry Store? See inside this treasure trove of automotive, aeronautic and industrial collections that highlight the social, industrial, and sporting history of this part of the world.

Dates

From:
23 Apr 2025Open 12:30 - 13:30
From:
21 May 2025Open 18:30 - 19:30
From:
18 June 2025Open 18:30 - 19:30
From:
23 July 2025Open 12:30 - 13:30
From:
21 Aug 2025Open 18:30 - 19:30
From:
29 Oct 2025Open 12:30 - 13:30

Price
Price £10.20 to £29.75 Per Ticket

More Info
Guided Garden Walks - Spring Edition

Newtownards

Address

Mount Stewart - National Trust, Portaferry Road, Newtownards, County Down, BT22 2AD

Telephone
028 4278 8387

mountstewart@nationaltrust.org.uk

Type

Type:

Nature

Come and join a member of the Gardens Team on a tour which will look at seasonal highlights from late winter and spring, including trees, flowering shrubs and bulbs.

Dates

From:
23 Apr 2025Open 13:00 - 15:00
From:
21 May 2025Open 13:00 - 15:00

More Info
Native Tree Walk

Holywood

Address

Ulster Folk Museum, 153 Bangor Rd, Cultra, Holywood, County Down, BT18 0EU

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9042 8428

info@nationalmuseumsni.org

Price
Price £13.50 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Nature

Learn how to identify native Irish tree species with The Conservation Volunteers at the Ulster Folk Museum.

Dates

From:
26 Apr 2025Open 13:00 - 15:00

Price
Price £13.50 Per Ticket

More Info