European Heritage Open Days

European Heritage Open Days (EHOD) 12-13 September 2026.

The Department for Communities is inviting you to get out and about and explore over 200 of Northern Ireland’s historic landmarks and hidden heritage as part of European Heritage Open Days (EHOD) 2026.

EHOD 2026 will take place on 12–13 September 2026, offering free public access to historic sites, cultural landmarks, and special events across Northern Ireland. This packed programme of events and activities including guided tours, talks and lectures, living history re-enactments, community fun days and more, has something for everyone and is not to be missed!

This year’s theme, 'Heritage at Risk: Revive, Resist, Reimagine’ invites organisers and visitors to explore the stories behind the places they care about, airing the physical site with the human voices, memory, craft and culture that bring it to life.

Previous EHOD Highlights

EHOD has grown into a major cultural event, welcoming thousands of visitors each year. EHOD 2025 saw over 65,000 visitors exploring over 370 events across 250 sites. Highlights from recent years include:

• Behind-the-scenes tours of iconic landmarks such as Guild Hall, Museum Stores and the Charles Sheils Houses in Carrickfergus.

• Family-friendly living history experiences, such as medieval re-enactments at Portaferry Castle.

• Unique access to properties and events open only for EHOD, like Origami House and NI War Rooms.

• Special themed events reflecting Europe-wide heritage connections, such as guided walks tracing historic trade routes and transport networks.

For more information, please email ehod@communities-ni.gov.uk.

Join us in bringing heritage to life and making EHOD 2026 the most exciting yet!

#EHOD