Free, Cheap and Fun Things To Do This Weekend 9th-10th June 2018
We’ve been spoilt of late with some wonderful weather. And now, we want to spoil you for choice….with a huge range of things to do this weekend!
We’ve scoured the country to find the cheapest, often free, fun events happening in Northern Ireland this weekend, so you’ve no excuse to stay in. Whatever the weather, there are good times to be had – inside and outside!
From Japanese Festivals to Jeep Safaris, Country Shows to Continental Markets, Seaside Spectacles to Garden Parties, World Class Exhibitions to local celebrations - there’s some great ideas for a great weekend!
And don’t forget, you’ll save even more when you sign up to Power NI Perks so you can pack that picnic basket, bring on that BBQ and summer shop ‘til you drop - for less!
Check our map every week to help you better plan and power your weekends. Enjoy! From all at Power NI.
1. BELFAST BOOK FESTIVAL
6th - 16th June
Various Venues
FREE & £ Events
Make sure you bookmark this one: the 8th Annual Belfast Book Festival.
Literary luvvies with literally love this opportunity to come together and compare notes, meet the authors, hear readings, discuss plots, attend workshops.
Plus, don’t miss the dedicated Family Fun Day, Saturday 16th June, at Lower Crescent Park where the writings of Roald Dahl will be pored over with pure delight.
2. BELFAST PHOTO FESTIVAL
7th – 30th June
Various locations
£ Events
Smile!
This is one of the Top 10 photography festivals in the world according to Capture Magazine, with master classes, workshops, exhibitions and inspiration from Torbin Bullock, Pixar film editor on Toy Story 4 no less!
Explore Music & Innovation, exhibitions, a Music Symposium where you’ll learn and how to capture the energy of music in a single shot!
3. MAGHERAFELT MAKERS’ MARKET
Saturday 9th June
The Bridewell, Magherafelt
FREE
Support local enterprises and find lovely surprises!
Jewellers, potters, bakers and textilers are all set to take over The Bridewell this Saturday to showcase their talents and sell their wares.
Come along to this atmospheric, aromatic and all round fun day out with something for everyone.
4. A TASTE OF CULTURE
Saturday 9th June 11am – 6pm
Ulster American Folk Park
GENERAL ADMISSION RATES
Get set for a selfie with a difference!
Dress up in traditional costumes from all kinds of countries, make a Thai fan, have a go at designing an Hungarian head-dress, find out more about the fur-trapper and even, Mrs. Murray’s bloomers!
It’s a celebration of various cultures through food, crafts, and fun activities.
5. SEA BANGOR FESTIVAL 2018
9th & 10th June
Bangor Sea Front
FREE
All aboard for a big day out!
Witness the world’s only Aerosuperbatics Wingwalkers Aerial Display, take to the Tall Ships, with Cooking Competitions, an Inflatable Whale, Big Wheel (£4) music, food stalls, street entertainment and cupcake & donut decorating!
It’s Bangor’s biggest and best maritime festival yet.
6. CASTLEROCK CLYDESDALE HORSE SHOW & FUN DAY
Saturday 9 June
Junior Playing Fields, Castlerock
FREE
Saddle up for a super day out.
The annual Clydesdale Horse Show canters into the quaint town of Castlerock bringing fun for all the family. Craft stalls and bouncy castles, BBQ and penalty kick competitions to boot.
Plus, get up close to the beautiful Clydesdale horses, so gentle in nature.
7. WORLD OCEAN DAY
Saturday 9 June, 10am – 5pm
Exploris Aquarium, Portaferry
£ ENTRY FEE
Help protect what you love.
To pay homage to World Ocean Day, we’re inviting you to join us for a series of workshops, crafts, see underwater wonders, and let us share our knowledge on how we can all do our part to help protect the ocean.
Go on, and dive right in!
8. ENNISKILLEN 10K ROAD RACE & LEISURE WALK
Saturday 9th June, 2pm
Fermanagh Lakeland Forum,
FREE
Be there, do it, get the T-shirt!
As part of the Novosco 10k Grand Prix, runners and walkers of all abilities will descend on Enniskillen to run this riveting race. Take part or line the route and cheer the runners on.
Register at the Novosco 10k Grand prix website.
9. CUILCAGH MOUNTAIN JEEP SAFARI - EUROPEAN GEOPARKS WEEK
Sunday 10th June. 10am-12 & 2-4pm
Marble Arch Caves UNESCO Global Geopark, Enniskillen
£5
Jump into a Jeep and go explore!
This is what you call ‘off road’. Ride the rugged terrain of Cuilcagh Mountain, across all kinds of weathered and tethered landscapes, feel close to nature and get right in the thick of the greatest of outdoors.
Kids over 12 are welcome but this is not one for the little ones.
10. SALMON & WHISKEY FESTIVAL
Saturday 9th & Sunday 10th June
Bushmills
£ VARIOUS
Sample fresh salmon and sip local whiskey, what could be better?
This 2-day festival lets visitors taste the sumptuous local wares of the Causeway Coast and Glens, world renowned and locally and globally loved. Discover new recipes, live music, a Salmon Station and Artisan Market.
Exquisite and exciting, this event is not to be missed.
11. FOYLE O-BON JAPANESE FESTIVAL
Saturday 9th June, 5pm
The Playtrail
£5, under 5s FREE
Walk through the gates of the Playtrail and enter Little Tokyo!
Enjoy a feast of traditional Japanese food, dance and music, including the energetic Taiko drums, plus Manga art, workshops, Kimono dress-up, origami, poetry, storytelling and more!
Look out for the delightful lantern ceremony that will finish off the festival, beautifully.
12. CLOUGHMILLS’ JUNE FAIR
9 Jun 2018 - 10 Jun 2018
Ballymena
FREE
Not your ‘run of the mill’ day out!
Bring the family to celebrate 300 years of the old mill, with traditional workshops teaching Bushcraft, Archery, Blacksmithing, Willow Sculpturing and Bread-making! With music, dance and crafts thrown in!
Sunday is Teddy’s Bear’s Picnic day so bring your bear and your sense of adventure.
13. BBC RADIO 4 GARDENERS’ QUESTION TIME & SUMMER GARDEN PARTY
9 Jun 2018 - 10 Jun 2018
Mount Stewart
Adult £10.50, Child £5.25
The big question is, ‘Will you be there?’
Green-fingered fans will be flocking to Strangford Lough for BBC Radio 4’s biggest annual event. This horticultural highlight will feature Gardener’s Corner, talks and tours, cookery demos, plant sales and all the great names in gardening will be waiting to answer your questions.
Everything in this garden is sure to be rosy!
14. ARMAGH COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SHOW
Saturday 9th June
Gosford Forest Park
FREE
Looking for a traditional and timeless day out?
Get yourself along to the longest running single day agricultural show in Ireland and feast on local foods, get up close to livestock classes, enjoy Equestrian Events and delightful Vintage Displays.
It a good old-fashioned fun day out for all the family.
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.
Dates for your Diary
As the school summer holidays fast approach, why not pencil some of these dates into your diary so you can plan a fun-packed weekend in the weeks and months ahead:
Every Sunday
SUMMER SUNDAY MUSIC
Antrim Castle Gardens & Jordanstown Loughshore Park
Get into the spirit of summer with a free music concert each and every Sunday right up to 26th August.
Throughout the Summer
DINOSAUR ENCOUNTER
W5, Belfast
Have a close encounter with the most awesome creatures to ever roam the earth! FREE with admission.
16th / 17th June
UK PIPE BAND CHAMPIONSHIPS
Stormont Estate
Dance to the beat of the pipes and drums at this free event, with food refreshments and majestic music.
BELCYCLE FESTIVAL
CS Lewis Square, Belfast
Get the whole family on their bikes and come and try out all kinds of tandems and trikes!
VESPA WORLD DAYS
Belfast
Take a ride through Northern Ireland’s history from Vespa Village is this unforgettable 4-day event.
23rd / 24th June
STRAJAMBA
Strabane
Hotfoot it to Strabane’s biggest Summer Jam live music festival for headliners, Hothouse flowers!
BUSKFEST 2018
Banbridge
The streets will literally come alive with the sound of music in this annual busking competition.
JAZZ IN MOUNT STEWART
Pack a picnic and laze on the lawns to the sounds of soothing jazz. What better way to spend a summer’s day?
30th June / 1st July
BELFAST CITY BLUES FESTIVAL
Buckle up for some of the finest local and international Blues artists celebrating the 10th anniversary of this amazing festival.
PIRATES OF PORTRUSH
Swashbuckling, dragon slaying, ninja warrior wonderment awaits at this historic reenactment sure to delight and excite all.
OUTDOOR ADVENTURES AT CROM
Bring the family for a fun-filled afternoon amidst the wonder and wildlife at Crom Estate. Enjoy crafts, bug hunts, woodland trails and more.
14th / 15th July
FOYLE MARITIME FESTIVAL
Ahoy me hearties! Set sail to the Maiden City for this massive Maritime festival - all aboard shipmates!
21st / 22nd July
INTERNATIONAL ROSE WEEK
Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park
Wake up and smell the roses at the enchanting and aromatic Rose Week with music and entertainment for all the family.
RED SAILS FESTIVAL
Portstewart
‘Knitwits’ and giant bubbles, community drumming and mood walks, artwork and puppet shows bring the promenade alive!
28th / 29th July
BELFAST PRIDE
Get set for a kaleidoscope of colour, a rainbow of fun and a party parade though the streets of Belfast!
4th / 5th August
THE EASTSIDE STREET PARTY
Belfast
Everyone’s invited to CS Lewis Square for storytelling, music, workshops, crafts, dance and more!
FEILE 30
Belfast & beyond
Celebrate the 30th birthday of the ‘festival of the people’ with big names in music joining in the party.
25th/ 26th August
SIDEBOARD SIDESHOW
Newcastle
Steeped in both silliness and skill, this must-see spectacle of juggling, fire and acrobatics will amaze audiences!
8th / 9th September
EUROPEAN HERITAGE OPEN DAYS 2018
Various locations
In the spirit of ‘The Art of Sharing’ some of Northern Ireland’s most treasured sites open their doors to visitors to take a peek into history.
