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Hillsborough Castle and Gardens
Royal Hillsborough, Co. Down

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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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Magnificent May Weekend

Ballynahinch

Address

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

Telephone
02897566100

info@montaltoestate.com

Price
Price £8.40 to £25.20 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Family Fun

Join us at Montalto Estate for our Magnificent May Weekend – the perfect family day out filled with exciting activities for all ages.

Dates

From:

4 May 2025to5 May 2025Open 10:00 - 15:00
Facilities

Parking & Transport

On site parking
Price
Price £8.40 to £25.20 Per Ticket

More Info
Moy Park Belfast City Marathon

Belfast

Address

Stormont Estate (Prince of Wales Avenue), Belfast, County Antrim, BT4 3SH

Telephone
02890605922

info@belfastcitymarathon.org

Type

Type:

Sporting Event

The Moy Park Belfast City Marathon will take place in Northern Ireland's vibrant historic capital on Sunday 5th May, 2024.

Dates

From:
4 May 2025

More Info
Pots, Petals & Pizza Evening

Ballynahinch

Address

Montalto Estate, Ballynahinch, County Down, BT24 8PT

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9756 6100

info@montaltoestate.com

Price
Price £50.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Workshop

Join us in The Café at Montalto for a delightful evening celebrating two perfect pairings - petals and pizzas! 🌷🍕

Dates

From:
16 May 2025Open 18:30 - 20:30

Price
Price £50.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Melodies of Spring: An Evening at Castle Ward

Strangford

Address

Castle Ward, Strangford, County Down, BT307BA

Telephone
+442844881204

castleward@nationaltrust.org.uk

Price
Price £35.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Live Music

Experience an evening of poetry, music, and history at Castle Ward. Stroll the gardens, enjoy an after-hours house tour, and unwind with Celtic Grace's harp, flute, and poetry.

Dates

From:
17 May 2025Open 18:00 - 21:00
Facilities

Parking & Transport

On site parking
Price
Price £35.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Homes in Focus: Drumnahunshin Farmhouse

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:

Talks/Lectures

Discover what life was like in the Drumnahunshin Farmhouse in the early 1900s with the Folk Museum's Senior Curator of History.

Dates

From:
24 May 2025Open 11:30 - 12:30

Price
Price £13.50 Per Ticket

More Info
Bank Holiday BBQ & Local Talent

Ballynahinch

Address

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

Telephone
02897566100

info@montaltoestate.com

Price
Price £8.40 to £25.20 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Family Fun

Join us in The Walled Garden, on May Bank Holiday, for a day full of entertainment and food in the perfect surroundings.

Dates

From:
26 May 2025Open 11:00 - 15:00
Facilities

Parking & Transport

On site parking
Price
Price £8.40 to £25.20 Per Ticket

More Info
Harry Clarke - The Irishman Whose Stained Glass Windows Will Blow Your Mind!

Killyleagh

Address

23 High Street, Killyleagh, County Down, BT30 9QF

Telephone
07841337734

info@sirhanssloanecentre.co.uk

Price
Price £5.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Talks/Lectures

Historical Talk by Author & Historian Clive Scoular

Dates

From:
4 June 2025Open 19:00 - 20:00

Price
Price £5.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Explore The Walled Garden

Ballynahinch

Address

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

Telephone
02897566100

info@montaltoestate.com

Price
Price £8.40 to £25.20 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Nature

This summer, step into the beauty of our Walled Garden where our Head Gardener will be on hand to chat, answer your gardening questions, and share some of the garden's most intriguing details.

Dates

From:
8 June 2025Open 10:00 - 15:00
Facilities

Parking & Transport

On site parking
Price
Price £8.40 to £25.20 Per Ticket

More Info
Sir Hans Sloane Centre Curator Tours

Killyleagh

Address

23 High Street, Killyleagh, County Down, BT30 9QF

Telephone
07841337734

info@sirhanssloanecentre.co.uk

Price
Price £7.50 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Tour

Combined tour and talk about museum artefacts relevant to Sir Hans Sloane and 18th century life as well as our botanical prints and garden.

Dates

From:
11 June 2025Open 11:00 - 12:00
From:
16 June 2025Open 11:00 - 12:00
From:
7 July 2025Open 11:00 - 12:00
From:
21 July 2025Open 11:00 - 12:00
From:
30 July 2025Open 11:00 - 12:00
From:
4 Aug 2025Open 11:00 - 12:00
From:
11 Aug 2025Open 11:00 - 12:00

Price
Price £7.50 Per Ticket

More Info
Buskfest

Banbridge

Address

Banbridge Town Centre, The Old Townhall, Banbridge, County Down, BT32 3DA

Telephone
0300 030 0900

buskfest@armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Live Music

Buskfest is an annual outdoor busking competition held in Banbridge and is an excellent opportunity for musicians from near and far to showcase their talents and is a great free day out for all the family to enjoy.

Dates

From:
14 June 2025Open 14:00 - 17:00

Price
Free

More Info
The Battle of Ballynahinch Walking Tour

Ballynahinch

Address

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

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9756 6100

info@montaltoestate.com

Price
Price £19.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Tour

Celebrate the 227th anniversary of The Battle of Ballynahinch, by taking a walking tour with historian, Ken Dawson, through Montalto Estate and then visit the site of the battle.

Dates

From:
15 June 2025
Facilities

Parking & Transport

On site parking
Price
Price £19.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Behind the Scenes: Folk Life Collection Store

Holywood

Address

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

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9042 8428

info@nationalmuseumsni.org

Price
Price £13.50 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Tour

Get behind the scenes and discover how museum objects are stored. Come along to this special tour of the Folk Life collection stores at the Ulster Folk Museum.

Dates

From:
20 June 2025Open 11:00 - 14:00

Price
Price £13.50 Per Ticket

More Info
Wake The Giant

Warrenpoint

Address

Warrenpoint, County Down, BT34 3HW

Telephone
+44 (0) 330 137 4046

visitorservices@nmandd.org

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Festival

The return of the Wake the Giant Festival, the perfect reason to visit the charming town of Warrenpoint.

Dates

From:

28 June 2025to29 June 2025Open 10:00 - 21:00

Price
Free

More Info
Full Moon Paddle

Killinchy

Address

Whiterock Bay launch Point, Killinchy, County Down, BT23 6PY

Telephone
+44 (0)7909 721 898

strangfordloughactivitycentre@hotmail.co.uk

Price
Price £45.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Nature

Join us for a Full Moon Paddle on Strangford Lough this year. The moon is unique to witness from the water and no better place to do so, than from a kayak, SUP or canoe on a flat sea.

Dates

From:
9 Aug 2025
From:
7 Sept 2025
From:
7 Oct 2025
Facilities

Parking & Transport

On site parking
Price
Price £45.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Eats and Beats Festival

Newcastle

Address

Newcastle, County Down, BT33 0AA

Telephone
+44 (0) 33 0137 4046

visitorservices@nmandd.org

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Festival

The Eats and Beats Festival offers the best in local and world food, where visitors can enjoy delicious fare at the homegrown and world food villages. With unique and locally produced food and drink outlets and free music performances on offer…

Dates

From:

6 Sept 2025to7 Sept 2025

Price
Free

More Info