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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
Wild Welly Walks

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

Pull on your welly boots and get exploring the wetlands to complete all of the adventures in your checklist.

Related

WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre, Comber

Dates

From:

1 Dec 2024to7 Feb 2025Open 10:00 - 17:00

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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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
An Ode to Robert Burns at the Ulster American Folk Park

Omagh

Address

2 Mellon Road, Omagh, County Tyrone, BT78 5QU

Telephone
028 8224 3292

info@nationalmuseumsni.org

Type

Type:

Literature

A weekend celebration of Scotland's National Poet, Robert Burns, at the Ulster American Folk Park.

Related

Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh

Dates

From:

25 Jan 2025to26 Jan 2025Open 11:00 - 16:00

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
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

Price
Price £18.00 Per Ticket

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:
9 Feb 2025Open 11:00 - 13:00
From:
16 Feb 2025Open 11:00 - 13:00

Price
Price £18.00 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
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's 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
Balmoral Show

Lisburn

Address

Eikon Exhibition Centre, Balmoral Park, Halftown Road, Lisburn, County Antrim, BT27 5RD

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9066 5225

info@ruas.org.uk

Price
Price £26.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Agricultural Shows

The 156th Balmoral Show in partnership with the Ulster Bank is taking place on Wed 14th - Sat 17th May 2025.

Dates

From:

14 May 2025to18 May 2025Various Opening Times

Price
Price £26.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Facilities

Catering
- Restaurant on Premises
Bluegrass Omagh

Omagh

Address

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

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 8224 3292

info@nationalmuseumsni.org

Type

Type:

Festival

Bluegrass Omagh Music Festival returns to Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh on the May Bank Holiday weekend, 24th to 26th May. Come along to this unforgettable weekend of foot-stompin' rhythms and toe-tappin' tunes from world-class musicians.

Related

Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh

Dates

From:

24 May 2025to26 May 2025

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Belfast TradFest

Belfast

Address

Various locations across Belfast, Belfast, County Antrim, BT15 1ED

Telephone
028 9031 4981

info@belfasttradfest.com

Type

Type:

Festival

Belfast TradFest, the pinnacle of world-class traditional music concerts, fiery pub sessions and Ireland's fastest growing summer school of traditional music, is set to celebrate its 7th edition this July across Belfast UNESCO City of Music.

Dates

From:

27 July 2025to3 Aug 2025

More Info
Wake The Giant

Warrenpoint

Address

Warrenpoint, County Down, BT34 3HW

Telephone
+44 (0) 330 137 4046

visitorservices@nmandd.org

Type

Type:

Festival

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

Dates

From:

1 Aug 2025to31 Aug 2025Various Opening Times

More Info
Derry Halloween 2025

Derry~Londonderry

Address

Derry~Londonderry, County Derry~Londonderry, BT48 7NN

Telephone
(028) 7125 3253

halloween@derrystrabane.com

Type

Type:

Halloween

The worlds of past and present collide to bring you a dazzling street celebration of all things spooky in the official home of Halloween.

Dates

From:

28 Oct 2025to31 Oct 2025

More Info