Official tourism website for Northern Ireland

Irish Game Fair and Fine Food Festival
Antrim, County Antrim

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What's On in Antrim

Antrim, or the land of the ‘lone-ridge’, is a land steeped in legend and myth. Fairies and giants have pranced and pounded their ways through the famous Nine Glens and along the rugged coastline. All the while they’ve existed alongside the residents of towns like Ballymena and Cushendall who honour and celebrate them in their annual fairs and festivals. Just like the fairies and giants, the people of County Antrim are always up to something fun and fantastical!

Get your heart racing with North West 200 (May)

Did you know that Northern Ireland is the home to a number of world class motorcycle racing events? The biggest of all, the NW 200, is in fact Ireland’s largest outdoor sporting event. 90 years since its introduction, this world-famous motorcycle road race has gone from strength to strength; producing decades worth of iconic Northern Ireland racing heritage. Nestled within the coastal towns of Portrush, Portstewart and Coleraine, the relaxed access of the NW200 paddock will allow you to experience close proximity to the world’s best racers, personalities and race teams, a unique opportunity in comparison to the usual segregated & corporate world of modern sport. The NW 200 is valued around the world as being unique to the Causeway Coast area of Northern Ireland but why not see for yourself?

Step into garden heaven at Antrim Castle (May)

Just one giant’s stride down the road is another stunning citadel. Antrim Castle in Randalstown is the backdrop to the annual Garden Show Ireland. This is one of the most popular festivals of its kind on the island and attracts well over 30,000 visitors over three days in May. Green fingered gardeners and budding enthusiasts gather to admire the floral displays and catch expert advice. There is plenty for the more passive gardener to enjoy too with tips on outdoor cooking, growing your own and ongoing music performances at the castle bandstand.

All aboard for the May Day Steam Rally (May)

Shanes Castle on the banks of beautiful Lough Neagh, plays host to two of Antrim’s best-loved country festivals. The May Day Steam Rally attracts families and lovers of steam power to a grand exhibition of vintage tractors, cars and steam engines. You can enjoy a jolly on a steam train or seek more thrills at the huge fairground. Bargain hunters will delight in rummaging through the jungle of jumble and bric-a-brac for sale and when it’s time to eat that means it’s time for traditional fish and chips.

Vikings, pirates, seadogs and more at Ballycastle (June)

The Rathlin Sound Maritime Festival celebrates this mystical body of water between Rathlin Island and Ballycastle. As well as a colourful sailing regatta and an ‘invasion’ by a Viking ship, you can expect to experience what will surely be your first currach race. If your sea legs aren’t up to it, then you might prefer the guided walks and tours of the scenic coastline. Of course, no festival in Northern Ireland would be complete without food so keep your eyes, ears and noses peeled for cooking demos and food markets packed with local produce.

Whiskey and fish in Bushmills (June)

Set your taste buds alight during the Bushmills Salmon and Whiskey Festival which celebrates the local heritage and fine produce of the area. Enjoy celebrity and local chef demonstrations and whiskey tastings at the world-famous Bushmills Distillery. Other highlights include Naturally North Coast and Glens Artisan Market, tours of Bushmills Salmon Station as well as live music and dance performances. Even if you aren’t a fan of fish or a drop of the gold stuff, you’ll still be thoroughly entertained.

A Race of Legends in Armoy (July)

July brings motorcycle racing to the fore again with the Armoy Road Races.

The club event which started off as a bit of craic and a £20 bet down the local pub, went on to spark the idea of an annual tribute race to the Armoy Armada, Legends of Road Racing. If you’re a racing enthusiast this is certainly one not to be missed. Find the perfect perch along the 3.03 miles long race circuit and make some legendary memories.

Are you game for the game fair? (August)

Towards the end of August the very same spot is home to the Irish Game Fair and Fine Food Festival. Though it has changed much in its forty plus years, the essentials of this weekend hooley remain the same - promoting the importance of country sports and the rural way of life. Expect to see lots of events around shooting, fishing and all matters equine as well as displays of medieval jousting, archery and falconry. Of course, you won’t want to miss the curious Northern Ireland Stick Making Championship or the much-anticipated Ireland’s Fastest Ferret Race.

Music to your ears in the heart of the glens (August)

Those with music in their souls would do well to visit the beating heart of Antrim during The Heart of the Glens Festival. This nine-day extravaganza takes place in the town of Cushendall under the shadow of the dramatic Lurigethan Mountain. A highlight of the event is the Dalriada Sounds concert showcasing local talent in music, singing, poetry and dance. Other events include the Lurig Challenge Run, Food Fest night and the Grand Finale Ceili with displays of Irish Dancing and music and Ireland’s longest Waves of Tory!

A golfing Open in Galgorm (August)

Previously known as the Northern Ireland Open and an important stop on the challenge tour, the ISPS Handa World Invitational played at the Galgorm Castle Golf Club in Ballymena is one of the most innovative events in world golf where men and women compete together. The event is the first of its kind event in NI and with the introduction of the competition’s new format, adopted in 2019, it is garnering significant interest globally and looks to see major development from 2020 onwards.

Ould Lammas Fair (August)

Every year thousands flock to Ballycastle for Ireland’s oldest Fair. Traditionally held on the last weekend of the summer, the Old Lammas fair sees the seaside town bustling with street trading, bargaining, traditional music, dancing, horse trading, amusements, artisan markets and much more. The streets are lined with more than 400 stalls selling a wide variety of goods, from livestock to painted scrolls. Visit and sample famous local favourites Dulse and Yellow Man or wander around the Naturally North Coast and Glens artisan market featuring fresh produce, handmade crafts and fine art.

Antrim might be home to Northern Ireland’s capital Belfast, but its market towns, villages and country castles offer lots to see, lots to eat and even more to experience especially in Summer. As they might say in these parts, get stuck in.

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A Causeway Safari Tale Exhibition

Ballymoney

Address

Ballymoney Museum, Ballymoney Town Hall, 1 Townhead Street, Ballymoney, County Antrim, BT53 6BE

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 2766 0230

museums@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Exhibition

Once one of the biggest and much-loved attractions on the Causeway Coast, this exhibition looks at the history of the park and those who both worked in it and visited it, reflecting the joy the Park gave to all.

Dates

From:

16 Aug 2024to1 Mar 2025Various Opening Times

Price
Free

More Info
BEUYS

Belfast

Address

Ulster Museum, Stranmillis Road, Botanic Gardens, Belfast, County Antrim, BT9 5AB

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9044 0000

info@nationalmuseumsni.org

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Exhibition

See BEUYS 50 Years Later: Action, Society, Performance and Change at Ulster Museum.

Dates

From:

18 Oct 2024to18 May 2025Various Opening Times

Price
Free

More Info
Wallace & Gromit 'All Systems Go' AR Trail

Belfast

Address

W5, The Odyssey, 2 Queens Quay, Belfast, County Antrim, BT3 9QQ

media@w5online.co.uk

Type

Type:

Family Fun

Blast Off with Wallace & Gromit at W5!

Dates

From:

6 Feb 2025to16 Feb 2025Various Opening Times

From:

17 Feb 2025to3 Mar 2025Various Opening Times

More Info
Multiverse Mayhem

Belfast

Address

W5, The Odyssey, 2 Queens Quay, Belfast, County Antrim, BT3 9QQ

media@w5online.co.uk

Type

Type:

Family Fun

Let the experimental mayhem begin!

Dates

From:

8 Feb 2025to16 Feb 2025Various Opening Times

More Info
NI Science Festival 2025

Address

Various Locations, BT7 1NH

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9024 6609

info@nisciencefestival.com

Type

Type:

Festival

NI Science Festival returns 12-23 February 2025 with over 250 events celebrating the Science of You, The Universe & Everything In-Between!

Dates

From:

12 Feb 2025to23 Feb 2025Open 09:00 - 22:00

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Wallace & Gromit Claystation

Belfast

Address

W5, The Odyssey, 2 Queens Quay, Belfast, County Antrim, BT3 9QQ

media@w5online.co.uk

Type

Type:

Family Fun

Create your own Gromit at W5!

Dates

From:

14 Feb 2025to16 Feb 2025Open 11:00 - 16:00

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February Slemish Market Supper Club

Ballymena

Address

12 Ballymoney Street, Ballymena, County Antrim, BT43 6AL

Telephone
+44 (0) 7547 804975

slemishmarketsupperclub@gmail.com

Price
Price £70.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Food & Drink

Love local food?
Join Slemish Market Supper Club for their February dining experience in Desperate Dan's Ballymena. Chef Rob Curley will cook a 6 course Valentine's menu using responsible produce from Slemish Market Garden and Co. Antrim for a night…

Dates

From:
15 Feb 2025Open 19:00 - 22:15

Price
Price £70.00 Per Ticket

More Info
From Grey Wolves to Grey Squirrels

Belfast

Address

Ulster Museum, Stranmillis Road, Belfast, County Antrim, BT9 5AB

Telephone
02890440000

info@nationalmuseumsni.org

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Family Fun

Get hands-on with museum objects in this free, family-friendly guided tour at Ulster Museum (as part of NI Science Festival).

Dates

From:

15 Feb 2025to16 Feb 2025Open 14:00 - 15:00

Price
Free

More Info
In Touch with Earth's Treasures

Belfast

Address

Ulster Museum, Stranmillis Road, Belfast, County Antrim, BT9 5AB

Telephone
02890440000

info@nationalmuseumsni.org

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Learning

A sensory tour of crystals, fossils, elements with Curator Mike Simms at Ulster Museum, as part of NI Science Festival

Dates

From:
19 Feb 2025Open 11:30 - 16:00

Price
Free

More Info
Wild Ireland: Past, Present, Future

Belfast

Address

Ulster Museum, Stranmillis Road, Belfast, County Antrim, BT9 5AB

Telephone
02890440000

info@nationalmuseumsni.org

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Exhibition

An Ulster Museum exhibition featuring over 50 paintings by renowned wildlife painter, Julian Friers

Dates

From:

21 Feb 2025to7 Sept 2025Various Opening Times

Price
Free

More Info
Experimental Drawing Sessions with Sally O'Dowd

Belfast

Address

Ulster Museum, Stranmillis Road, Botanic Gardens,, Belfast, County Antrim, BT9 5AB

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9044 0000

info@nationalmuseumsni.org

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Art & Design

Get curious in an experimental art session at the Ulster Museum.

Dates

From:
25 Feb 2025Open 10:00 - 12:30
From:
25 Mar 2025Open 10:00 - 12:30

Price
Free

More Info
The Remembering Bunting Festival 2025

Belfast

Address

Various Locations, Belfast, County Antrim, BT1 2HB

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 8224 2777

outreach@dunuladh.ie

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Festival

The Remembering Bunting Festival is a celebration of the life and work of Ireland's Edward Bunting. The festival features performances and presentations from across the traditional music world and aims to deepen our understanding of the…

Dates

From:

27 Feb 2025to2 Mar 2025

Price
Free

More Info
Amanda Croft Lecture Series: The Face

Belfast

Address

Ulster Museum, Stranmillis Road, Botanic Gardens, Belfast, County Antrim, BT9 5AB

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9044 0000

info@nationalmuseumsni.org

Price
Price £4.00 to £5.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Talks/Lectures

Explore portraiture in a series of ten illustrated talks with Amanda Croft at the Ulster Museum.

Dates

From:

4 Mar 2025to8 Apr 2025Various Opening Times

Price
Price £4.00 to £5.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Belfast Punk Music Walking Tour

Belfast

Address

Meeting point 116 -120 Great Victoria Street, Belfast, County Antrim, BT2 7BG

Telephone
+44 (0) 7305 754 028

Creativetoursbelfast@gmail.com

Price
Price £22.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Tour

Come explore the story of punk music in Belfast on this walking tour, with a specialist music guide who has loved punk music since the 1970s! Belfast punk holds a special place in music history. Terri Hooley and his Good Vibrations label supported…

Dates

From:
8 Mar 2025Open 14:00 - 17:00
From:
12 Apr 2025Open 14:00 - 17:00
From:
10 May 2025Open 14:00 - 17:00
From:
14 June 2025Open 14:00 - 17:00
From:
19 July 2025Open 14:00 - 17:00
From:
16 Aug 2025Open 14:00 - 17:00
From:
13 Sept 2025Open 14:00 - 17:00
From:
11 Oct 2025Open 14:00 - 17:00
From:
15 Nov 2025Open 14:00 - 17:00
From:
13 Dec 2025Open 14:00 - 17:00

Price
Price £22.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Frock Around The Clock : Vintage & Handmade Fair

Belfast

Address

Belfast Castle, Antrim Road, Belfast, County Antrim, BT15 5GR

Telephone
(0)28 9077 6925

frockaroundtheclockfairs@gmail.com

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Markets / Fairs

Frock Around The Clock is back with the Vintage and Handmade Fair at beautiful Belfast Castle, and 36 fabulous stalls of vintage treasures and original handmade designs.

Dates

From:
9 Mar 2025

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Belfast St Patrick's Music Festival

Belfast

Address

Belfast, County Antrim, BT1 1FF

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9031 4981

info@belfasttradfest.com

Type

Type:

Festival

Belfast TradFest will be delivering St Patrick's Music Weekend, as part of Belfast City Council's overall St Patrick's Celebrations, from Friday 14th - Monday 17th March.

Dates

From:

14 Mar 2025to17 Mar 2025Various Opening Times

More Info
Saint Patrick's Day at Slemish

Broughshane

Address

Slemish Mountain, Carnstroan Lane, Broughshane, County Antrim, BT42 4PE

Telephone
+44 (0) 300 1245 000

events@midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Walks and Trails

Celebrate Saint Patrick's Day on March 17th with a trek up Slemish, connecting with its historical significance to St. Patrick. Enjoy stunning views and traditional music in this unique experience. The 1.5km walk takes an hour; wear suitable…

Dates

From:
17 Mar 2025

Price
Free

More Info
Live Art In Action

Belfast

Address

Ulster Museum, Stranmillis Road, Belfast, County Antrim, BT9 5AB

Telephone
02890440000

info@nationalmuseumsni.org

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Arts

Come along to an interactive workshop at the Ulster Museum followed by a live performance with Bbeyond on Friday 28th March.

Dates

From:
28 Mar 2025Open 11:00 - 15:00

Price
Free

More Info
Early Spring Wild Foraging Walk

Ballycastle

Address

Broughgammon Farm, 50 Straid Road, Ballycastle, County Antrim, BT54 6NP

info@broughgammon.com

Price
Price £29.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Nature

Join a Wild Food Foraging Walk at Broughgammon Farm and discover the edible and medicinal plants growing in hedgerows, woodlands, and meadows. Led by expert foragers, you'll learn how to forage safely, understand what plants are ready for harvesting…

Dates

From:
30 Mar 2025Open 11:00 - 13:00

Price
Price £29.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Portrush Tasty

Portrush

Address

Portrush Town Hall, 1 Mark Street, Portrush, County Antrim, BT56 8DX

Telephone
+44 (0) 7912 408 256

causewayfoodie@gmail.com

Price
Price £65.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Food & Drink

A walking food tour celebrating iconic local produce where fun is the dish of the day! You will be introduced to unique people, flavours & the character of this coastal gem.

Dates

From:
11 Apr 2025
From:
23 May 2025
From:
5 Sept 2025

Price
Price £65.00 Per Ticket

More Info