Free, Cheap and Fun Things To Do This Weekend 25th – 26th August 2018
All set for back to school? Not so fast! For there’s a long weekend of fun to be had before normal routines resume and early bedtimes are restored!
In fact, as it’s August Bank Holiday Weekend, you can pack in even more fun with Power NI’s handy map of Free, Cheap and Fun Things to do.
This weekend you can bank on a lazy jazzy Sunday picnic at Mount Stewart, a high energy Hill Climb at Limavady, The Auld Lamas fair in Ballycastle (o), a brilliant Beer & Music Festival in Hilden and so much more...
Spending quality time with friends and family doesn’t mean spending a fortune. We deliberately feature ‘things to do’ that won’t break the bank. For us, it’s all about having fun, getting outside and making great memories.
To add even more value, why not sign up to Power NI Perks*? It’s free to join and offers 100s of savings and discounts on everyday brands like Tesco, Primark and Sports Direct, Argos and M&S, Currys PC World, Groupon, Gap and Next to name a few!
At Power NI, we want to be part of your everyday, helping you find ways to save money and better power your downtime. Check in each week and make plans for your weekend with us!
1. BELFAST MELA
Sunday 26th August, 12-6pm
Botanic Gardens, Belfast
£6 per adult, Family Ticket £15
Celebrate global cultural diversity in the heart of Belfast City.
This family-friendly event is bursting with music, dance, art and crafts, food and drink, as the glorious Botanic Gardens is transformed into a beautiful, colourful, wonderful world to explore.
Educational, entertaining and thoroughly enjoyable.
2. ULSTER YOUTH ORCHESTRA 25TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT
25th August, 7.45pm
Ulster Hall, Belfast
Adults £16.50, Concession £6.00
Take your seats for a wonderful double celebration.
25 years of the Ulster Youth Orchestra and 100 years of Bernstein. See 90 of Northern Ireland’s most talented young musicians perform Bernstein’s ‘Overture to Candide’, Gershwin’s ‘An American in Paris’ and Harty’s ‘Children of Lir’ amongst others.
Belfast-born Courtney Lewis will conduct this truly classical delight.
3. HILDEN BEER & MUSIC FESTIVAL
24th – 26th August
Hilden, Lisburn
From £15
Bottoms up for Ireland’s longest running beer and music festival!
This year, it’s bigger and better than ever with acts like Raised on Rock, the Unholy Gospel Band and Nasa Assassin. With delicious local food, lots of children’s activities and a superb atmosphere, it’s for all the family.
36 beers & ciders, 36 acts, the 36th annual festival – just one place to be!
4. SHORELINE FESTIVAL
Saturday 25th & Sunday 26th August
Loughshore Park. Jordanstown
FREE
The shoreline comes alive this weekend with a packed programme of events.
By day, it’s bouncy castles, a petting farm, climbing wall, zipline, crafts and theatre shows. By night, Flash Harry will belt out Queen’s greatest hits on Saturday while a Smokie & Bay City Rollers Tribute will entertain on Sunday.
All finished off with a fantastic fireworks display. The atmosphere: electric!
5. JAZZ IN THE GARDENS AT MOUNT STEWART
Sunday 26th August, 2pm - 4.30pm
Mount Stewart, Co. Down
FREE event (normal admission applies)
Laze on the luscious lawns of Mount Stewart for a musical Sunday afternoon.
Pack a picnic, gather family and friends - and even the dog! Pick your spot within the glorious gardens and relax to the soothing sounds of jazz. It’s the perfect way to spend a bank holiday weekend.
With kid’s activities, gifts, books, plants and homemade treats on offer, everyone’s happy!
6. SIDEBOARD SIDESHOW
Saturday 25th August, 1pm & 2.30pm
Newcastle Promenade
FREE
Step into an open air ‘living room’ like no other!
Enjoy a show drenched in silliness, skill and seriously stupendous antics. This must-see spectacle of juggling, fire and acrobatics will amaze audiences, defy gravity and astound all who see it!
Just make sure you don’t try this at your home.
7. LOUGH ERNE HERITAGE REGATTA
Saturday 25th August, 1pm - 5pm
Crom, County Fermanagh
FREE event (normal admission applies). Regatta Race entry is £5.00 per team.
Fancy messing about on the water this weekend?
Gather a team and enter this prestigious annual regatta race for just £5, or simply stand on the banks and lend your support to the Lough Erne Heritage Society, with fun for little ones including traditional wooden crafts.
Water way to spend the day!
8. FLORENCE COURT HONEY SHOW
Sunday 26th August, 1pm - 4pm
County Fermanagh
FREE event (normal admission applies)
There’s a real buzz in Enniskillen this weekend.
Bring your busy bees along to the Honey Show at Florence Court to see the workings of how honey is made, make your very own Busy Bee Hotel to take home and pick up a ready-made jar or two to bring home.
With a tearoom, second hand bookstore and gift shop, it’s a bee-autiful day out.
9. Rockstock
Saturday 25th August, 3pm -1am
The Battery Bar, Co. Tyrone
£10
Moortown in County Tyrone is all set to become the home of rock, yet again!
Rockstock is a one day festival held on the shores of Lough Neagh. This year’s lineup includes Ireland Maiden, Flick Of The Switch, Born As Ghosts, The Rubber Plants, Muddy Wells , Elevation Falls and Lonely Astronauts.
Camping is available. Rock on!
10. EAGLES ROCK HILL CLIMB
Saturday 25th August, 10am
Bellerana, Limavady
FREE
Get your motor running and head for the hill climb!
The Maiden City Motor Club takes on one of Ireland’s oldest hill climbs, with high speed, adrenaline packed action from the bottom right the way to the top - with competitors from all over Ireland taking part.
The bit that will really take your breath away… is the view over Benone.
11. FOYLE PRIDE PARADE
Saturday 25th August, 2pm
Waterside Train Station, Derry/Londonderry
FREE
Don your brightest colours and join the Pride Parade!
The day kicks off with a big breakfast at 11am, followed by the wonderful sights and sounds of the parade itself as it meanders to Guildhall Square for live music from Patrick McDonagh, plus family fun in the Peace Garden.
The event comes to a close with proud and loud celebrations at Sandino’s.
12. CAUSEWAY COAST MINI SHOW
Saturday 25th & Sunday 26th August
Portrush/Portstewart
FREE
How about a ‘mini’ adventure?
Bring on Morelli’s Italian Ice Cream Job! Celebrate 59 years of the classic Mini. Catch the ‘dash’ from Bushmills to Portstewart on Saturday and the Static Show and Cavalcade in Portrush on Sunday.
With auto-jumbles, family fun and trade stands to boot!
13. THE AULD LAMMAS FAIR
Sunday 26th- Tuesday 28th August
Ballycastle
FREE
Have you ever been to the fair in Ballycastle –o?
If not, why not? It’s a traditional, tantalising treat for all ages with bartering, busking, bustle and over 400 stalls selling everything from ‘dulse’ to ‘Yellow Man’ along with a contemporary artisan market set up right on the seafront.
So you can enjoy the best of both worlds.
14. Ballymena Summer Carnival
Saturday 25th August
Ballymena town centre
FREE
The Summer Carnival is making its return to Ballymena Town Centre. This free and fun-filled family day out features a range of on-street entertainment including carnival games, crafts and face painting plus much more.
The Cool FM Roadshow will be live from the Harmony Hub between 1:30pm to 3:30pm where a selection of fantastic prizes will be up for grabs.
Don’t miss special one-day discounts, promotions and competitions from local traders and businesses too!
Polite Disclaimer from Power NI:
Every care has been taken to portray event information as accurately as possible. If there are any mistakes or if we’ve missed anything, please drop us a line and we’ll put it right.
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