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Family Events

What’s on and things to do for families visiting Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland is bursting at the seams with things to do for families. While you’re here on holidays, you might just catch one of these great family events going on. Or maybe you’d like to book your holiday to coincide with one. So, here are just a few to whet your appetite.

It’s all happening in County Armagh

The Armagh Georgian Weekend is a much-loved festival that gives Armagh the chance to show off its rich Georgian heritage. Celebrations include The Great Georgian Banquet, Children’s Christmas market plus a sparkling Christmas Light Show to end the festivities.

And during Springtime, March is a wonderful month to visit Armagh, not least because of St Patrick and this is his homeplace. Armagh is at the heart of celebrating the life of Saint Patrick and promises a lively showcase of the best in culture, music, song and dance, as well as a spectacular parade on St Patrick’s feast day, March 17th. Time to get the green facepaint ready.

Amazing things happen in County Antrim

The award-winning Irish Game Fair celebrates country sports and all things rural in the stunning natural setting of Shane’s Castle in the last weekend of August. Alongside country pursuits demonstrations, there’s a heap of family entertainment and food, heritage and craft displays. The same venue also hosts Shane’s Castle Steam Rally - a festival of vintage steam engines, tractors and agricultural machinery that’s a great family day out.

Antrim Castle Gardens hosts its Enchanted Winter Garden event at Christmas, a magical seasonal experience like no other for all the family! And in Cushendall in Autumn you’ll find the Glens Storytelling Festival, a 5-day community event celebrating the storytelling cultural heritage of the Glens of Antrim.

Celebrations galore the Causeway Coastal Route

The Causeway Coast is reason enough to celebrate, but there’s also a whole host of festivals and events to keep you and your family entertained.

Taste Causeway is a month-long summer celebration of the area’s world-renowned food and drink. The quaint village of Bushmills plays host to the Salmon & Whiskey Festival where you can bring all the family, try some new local food as well as live music and dance performances.

All along the coast are the wrecks of the vainglorious Spanish Armada of 1588 and one of the best-known wrecks is that of La Girona, whose story is celebrated at the Girona Gold Maritime Festival. Enjoy a swimming relay race, interactive taster sessions with local water-based activity providers, plus lots more.

Other seafarers are celebrated in more comic style at Pirates Off Portrush, a two-day family festival with dance, drama, kids pirate parade, music, markets fun have-a-go games.

Big, bold and beautiful – family fun in Belfast

As its most famous ship will attest, Belfast likes to do things big-style. Which is why you’ll find tonnes of entertainment options for both kids and grown-ups all year-round.

The Belfast Children’s Festival takes place each March for children of all ages and their families and is spread across a number of Belfast’s theatres and arts centres. Expect and enjoy a hectic mix of theatre, visual art, music, dance, literature, workshops and talks all of which are designed to inspire and entertain everyone who gets involved.

And don't miss out on Belfast's Christmas Market which arrives in late November on the grounds of the City Hall, bringing a traditional taste of Christmas.

Derry-Londonderry has it all going on

The walled city of Derry-Londonderry regularly throws open its gates for families and everyone to get inside and get involved in its eclectic mix of events and festival big and small - for visitors big and small.

A massive highlight of the year here is a the Foyle Maritime Festival. This 9-day maritime extravaganza features a range of live performances, visiting ships and boats, water activities and food trails plus the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race.

Or join Europe’s biggest Halloween Festival in Derry-Londonderry for a welcome like no other, packed with ghoulish events and frightful fun for all the family.

Families come first in County Fermanagh

Late September each year sees the arrival of Festival Lough Erne, a two-day celebration of the best of local food, with cookery demonstrations from guest chefs, local artisan food and drink producers and live entertainment, as well as a range of water based activities for young and old, all taking place at Enniskillen Castle, in the heart of Enniskillen town itself.

It's County Down for family fun

From outdoor adventures to magical festivals, there's lots to look forward to in County Down, with a packed calendar of events year-round. Don't miss August's Wake the Giant in the seaside town of Warrenpoint, a vibrant festival celebrating the stunning scenery, rich heritage and local legends across a weekend of activites. In September, as Summer fades into Autumn, the Eats and Beats festival returns to light up Newcastle as a foodie and music lovers paradise, with a eclectic mix of delicious food and live performances. These and more, make it a great location for your next short break or day out with the kids!

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The Derry Girls Experience

Derry~Londonderry

Address

Tower Museum, Union Hall Place, Derry~Londonderry, County Londonderry, BT48 6LU

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 7137 2411

tower@derrystrabane.com

Type

Type:

Exhibition

Visit the home of Derry Girls and discover where it all began! See original memorabilia from the hit show, like Erin’s diary, Aunt Sarah’s famous pyjamas and Ma Mary’s Woolworths sweater, not to mention the infamous Spice Girls costumes!

Related

Tower Museum, Londonderry/Derry

68 Clooney Restaurant - White Horse Hotel, Londonderry/Derry

Dates

From:

4 July 2023to1 July 2025Open 09:00 - 17:30

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!

Related

W5, Belfast

Dates

From:

6 Feb 2025to16 Feb 2025Various Opening Times

From:

17 Feb 2025to3 Mar 2025Various Opening Times

More Info
Mudfest at WWT Castle Espie

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

Stomp, splash and squelch this February half term. No one does mud quite like us. It's the stuff our super-powered wetlands (and great family adventures) are made of. Make it, mix it, mould it and build with it, sling it, paint it and jump in it.…

Related

WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre, Comber

Dates

From:

8 Feb 2025to16 Feb 2025Open 10:00 - 17:00

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
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!

Related

W5, Belfast

Dates

From:

8 Feb 2025to16 Feb 2025Various Opening Times

More Info
Half Term Adventures at Mount Stewart

Newtownards

Address

Portaferry Road, Newtownards, Newtownards, County Down, BT22 2AD

Telephone
02842788387

mountstewart@nationaltrust.org.uk

Type

Type:

Family Fun

This February half term we have adventures for all the family to enjoy.

Related

Mount Stewart, Newtownards

Dates

From:

10 Feb 2025to16 Feb 2025Open 10:00 - 16:00

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!

Related

W5, Belfast

Dates

From:

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

More Info
Adventure Ride with Crindle Stables

Limavady

Address

Carrowclare Road, Limavady, County Londonderry, BT49 9ED

Telephone
+44 (0) 7738 516 106

crindlestables@outlook.com

Price
Price £40.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Family Fun

Come join the fun with our Adventure Rides – a fantastic way for the whole family to enjoy horse riding, perfect for beginners and first timers.

Related

Crindle Stables, Limavady

Dates

From:
15 Feb 2025Open 12:00 - 13:00
From:
15 Mar 2025Open 12:00 - 13:00
From:
17 Mar 2025Open 12:00 - 13:00

Price
Price £40.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Think Deep

Florencecourt

Address

43 Marlbank Road, Florencecourt, County Fermanagh, BT92 1EW

Telephone
02866321815

mac@fermanaghomagh.com

Price
Price £8.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Learning

The Marble Arch Caves provide a glimpse into a fascinating underground world of rivers, passages and chambers sculpted by natural processes over many thousands of years. Join us for the day and learn about the hydrology of the caves whilst watching…

Related

Marble Arch Caves, Enniskillen

Dates

From:
15 Feb 2025Open 10:00 - 13:00

Price
Price £8.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
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).

Related

Ulster Museum, Belfast

Dates

From:

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

Price
Free

More Info
Sperrins Goat Cheese Experience with Dart Mountain & Craigbane Goat Farm

Claudy

Address

Dart Mountain & Craigbane Goat Farm, 26 Tamnagh Road, Claudy, Derry~Londonderry, BT47 4DN

Type

Type:

Food & Drink

Our Sperrin Goat Cheese Experience, for parents with kids, will involve a goat’s cheese sampling and cheese making tour followed by a visit to the Craigbane Goat Farm to meet the baby goats.

Dates

From:
16 Feb 2025Open 14:00 - 16:00

More Info
Grace's Transport Timeline

Holywood

Address

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

Telephone
02890428428

info@nationalmuseumsni.org

Price
Price £15.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Family Fun

CBeebies star, Grace Webb, will be joining us to explore the Ulster Transport Museum's Rail Gallery this February as part of NI Science Festival!

Related

Ulster Transport Museum, Holywood

Dates

From:

22 Feb 2025to23 Feb 2025Open 11:00 - 16:00

Price
Price £15.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
47 reviews
LUX Beginners Jewellery Making Workshop

Holywood

Address

Holywood, County Down, BT180NJ

Telephone
+44 (0) 7879 698 286

ruth@nisilver.com

Type

Type:

Workshop

LUX Beginners Jewellery Making Workshops in our Holywood Northern Ireland working Goldsmiths studio. No experience is required for this fun and relaxing experience, so come with friends or by yourself for some quality 'me time'. Challenge…

Related

Jewellery Making Experience with NI Silver, Holywood

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6 Mar 2025Open 10:00 - 13:30
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More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking - Parking Free on public pavement between two drives. Please do not park outside neighbours properties or on our private drive as this needs to be kept clear at all times. Thanks
Learn to Illustrate with Paul Howard at Rowallane Garden

Saintifeld

Address

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

Telephone
02897510131

rowallane@nationaltrust.org.uk

Price
Price £12.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Workshop

Join the illustrator of Jill Tomlinson's 'The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark' for a children's fun-filled drawing session.

Related

Rowallane Garden, Saintfield

Dates

From:
8 Mar 2025Open 14:00 - 15:00

Price
Price £12.00 Per Ticket

More Info
World Book Day at Rowallane Garden

Saintifeld

Address

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

Telephone
02897510131

rowallane@nationaltrust.org.uk

Type

Type:

Family Fun

Join us on 8 March for a magical day filled with books, costumes, and exciting activities.

Related

Rowallane Garden, Saintfield

Dates

From:
8 Mar 2025Open 10:00 - 16:00

More Info
International Women's Day at Ulster American Folk Park

Omagh

Address

Ulster American Folk Park, 2 Mellon Road, Omagh, Tyrone, BT78 5QU

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 8224 3292

info@nationalmuseumsni.org

Type

Type:

History

Explore the inspiring stories of women this International Women's Day at the Folk Park.

Related

Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh

Dates

From:
8 Mar 2025Open 10:00 - 17:00

More Info
Womenfolk at Ulster Folk Museum

Holywood

Address

Ulster Folk Museum, 153 Bangor Road, Cultra, Holywood, County Down, BT180EU

Telephone
+442890428428

info@nationalmuseumsni.org

Type

Type:

Culture & Heritage

Join us on Saturday 8th March to celebrate the stories of women this International Women's Day at the Ulster Folk Museum!

Related

Ulster Folk Museum, Holywood

Dates

From:
8 Mar 2025Open 10:00 - 17:00

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Home of St Patrick Festival 2025

Armagh

Address

Armagh City Centre, Armagh, County Armagh, BT61 7ED

Telephone
0300 0300 900

stpatricksfestival@armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk

Type

Type:

Festival

Armagh's Home of St Patrick's Festival returns with an exciting programme of music, art, theatre, film and dance from 9th- 17th March 2025. This is a chance to reflect on the legacy of St Patrick and have fun celebrating his influence on history and…

Dates

From:

9 Mar 2025to17 Mar 2025

More Info
St Patrick's Shindig at the Home of St Patrick Festival

Armagh

Address

Market Square, Armagh, County Armagh, BT61 7BW

Telephone
0300 0300 900

stpatricksfestival@armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk

Price
Price £10.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Concert

Armagh is set to rock on St Patrick's weekend, with a superb and totally live open-air concert featuring an electrifying line-up.

Dates

From:
14 Mar 2025Open 18:30 -

Price
Price £10.00 Per Ticket

More Info
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
Leprechaun Treasure Trail

Ballynahinch

Address

Montalto Estate, Ballynahinch, County Down, BT24 8PT

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9756 6100

info@montaltoestate.com

Type

Type:

Family Fun

Enjoy a St. Patrick's Day Treasure Trail in search of our mischievous Leprechauns. You will receive a pack from our Ticket Office which will include a map to help you with your search.

Related

Montalto Estate, Ballynahinch

Dates

From:

15 Mar 2025to17 Mar 2025Open 09:30 - 16:00

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking