Feel the excitement of the holiday season in Newtownards! Our guide is your ticket to all the festive events and activities happening around the city. For those deeply connected to Newtownards and those just making connections, our guide ensures a magical holiday season.
One event to immerse yourself in is the Ulster Folk Museum Christmas, where traditional crafts and festive spirit combine for a nostalgic journey. Unique experiences await at A Magical Christmas Experience, featuring enchanting decorations and delightful treats that will spark joy in visitors of all ages. And the Mission Santa: An Immersive Christmas Experience is something you definitely don't want to miss, offering an engaging adventure that brings the magic of Santa's workshop to life. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Newtownards
- Ulster Folk Museum Christmas (Holywood)
- A Magical Christmas Experience (Belfast)
- Mission Santa: An Immersive Christmas Experience (Armagh)
- Georgian Festival (Armagh)
- Handel's Messiah by Merry Opera Company (Portaferry)
- Creative Peninsula Christmas Fayre
- Clandeboye Lodge Christmas Party (Bangor)
- Sleigh Ride around Strangford Lough (Killinchy)
- Christmas Gothic (Bangor)
- Meet Santa at The Argory (Moy)
See these and even more events listed below!
Newtownards Holiday Markets and Shopping
Royal Hillsborough Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Seasonal decorations inspired by the 12 Days of Christmas.
Description:
Explore the beautifully decorated gardens of Hillsborough Castle this Christmas, featuring stunning seasonal displays inspired by the 12 Days of Christmas.
Where: Royal Hillsborough | More Info: Royal Hillsborough Christmas Market
Monthly Artisan Market
What to Expect:
Showcase of local crafts and artisan foods.
Description:
Explore the vibrant Monthly Artisan Market in Northern Ireland, featuring local crafts, artisan foods, and unique handmade products. Meet talented makers and artisans while enjoying live music and a lively atmosphere.
Where: Holywood | More Info: Monthly Artisan Market
Creative Peninsula Christmas Fayre
What to Expect:
Unique, handcrafted gifts in an opulent festive setting.
Description:
The Creative Peninsula Christmas Fayre at Ards Arts Centre offers a unique shopping experience with handcrafted gifts, seasonal interludes, and complimentary gift wrapping in an opulent Georgian setting.
Where: Newtownards | More Info: Creative Peninsula Christmas Fayre
Newtownards Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Mission Santa: An Immersive Christmas Experience
What to Expect:
Immersive Christmas experience with a live theatrical show and full-dome show.
Description:
Join our E.L.F. crew on Mission Santa for a Christmas adventure that includes admission to a full-dome show, helping save Santa inside mission control, and a visit to see Santa. Each child receives a present and a printed family photograph.
Where: Armagh | More Info: Mission Santa: An Immersive Christmas Experience
Georgian Festival
What to Expect:
Historical reenactments with Georgian characters and light shows.
Description:
The Armagh Georgian Festival is a celebration of 18th-century Georgian history in Armagh, featuring Georgian characters, music, craft and food stalls, horse and carriage rides, and light shows. It offers a unique blend of historical reenactments and festive activities.
Where: Armagh | More Info: Georgian Festival
Meet Santa at The Argory
What to Expect:
Interactive Santa meet-and-greet in a historic Irish gentry house setting.
Description:
Meet Santa at The Argory, where families can meet the jolly man in red amidst the beautifully decorated historic house and gardens.
Where: Moy | More Info: Meet Santa at The Argory
Clandeboye Lodge Christmas Party
What to Expect:
Live music and handcrafted cocktails in a luxurious setting.
Description:
Clandeboye Lodge offers a luxurious Christmas party experience with a four-course meal, handcrafted cocktails, and live music from bands like Anthem and Manouche Boys. Enjoy a night of great food, drinks, and entertainment in a stylish setting.
Where: Bangor | More Info: Clandeboye Lodge Christmas Party
Handel's Messiah by Merry Opera Company
What to Expect:
Staged production with professional Northern Irish musicians in a church setting.
Description:
Merry Opera's dramatic staging of Handel's Messiah features professional Northern Irish musicians in a unique production where twelve singers play characters experiencing transformation from need and despair to understanding and hope.
Where: Portaferry | More Info: Handel's Messiah by Merry Opera Company
Goldilocks and the Three Bears
What to Expect:
Interactive family show with live original music and strong performances.
Description:
In this sparkling version of the classic tale, Goldilocks seeks her fortune but soon finds that it's not as easy as she thought. Meanwhile, the Three Bears are hiding a very special honey hive, making honey for Santa's Christmas breakfast. A rather naughty witch, Wanda Wasp, is out to steal it, but a Handsome Prince might help. The children's audience will certainly want to lend a hand in this entertaining production.
Where: Newtownards | More Info: Goldilocks and the Three Bears
Newtownards Other Holiday Activities
A Magical Christmas Experience
What to Expect:
Guided tour with personalized visits to Father Christmas.
Description:
At A Magical Christmas Experience, journey through the Enchanted Forest, visit Mrs. Claus, and peek into the Elves' Workshop. Enjoy festive activities like Christmas letter writing, arts and crafts, and meet Father Christmas individually.
Where: Belfast | More Info: A Magical Christmas Experience
Ulster Folk Museum Christmas
What to Expect:
Traditional Christmas celebration in a historic setting with live music and craft demonstrations.
Description:
Celebrate Christmas at the Ulster Folk Museum by wandering through cobbled streets adorned with handmade wreaths and lights. Meet craft demonstrators making traditional decorations and enjoy festive sounds from a brass band and harpist. Post your letter to Santa at the Post Office and warm up with a drink in McCusker's pub.
Where: Holywood | More Info: Ulster Folk Museum Christmas
Christmas Gothic
What to Expect:
Unique ambience in stylish suites with local, seasonal food.
Description:
Celebrate Christmas in style with Clandeboye Lodge's private events, featuring chic cocktail soirees, intimate dinners, and stylish spaces with local, seasonal food.
Where: Bangor | More Info: Christmas Gothic
Sleigh Ride around Strangford Lough
What to Expect:
Unique festive boat tour with Santa visit and crafts.
Description:
Embark on a thrilling boat ride around Strangford Lough, carol singing to Christmas tunes while enjoying festive arts and crafts. Warm up by the fireside with mince pies, mulled wine, and hot chocolate before visiting Santa and his elves.
Where: Killinchy | More Info: Sleigh Ride around Strangford Lough
Festive Candle Making Workshop
What to Expect:
Hands-on candle making with native plant inspiration.
Description:
Create your own hand-made soy candle with Juliana from Juliana Made This Candle Co., choosing your own colour and scent while learning about the history of candles and candle making.
Where: Holywood | More Info: Festive Candle Making Workshop
Enchanting Christmas Evening
What to Expect:
Traditional craft demonstrations in a historic setting.
Description:
The Ulster Folk Museum offers a unique blend of traditional crafts, historical settings, and cultural heritage. Visitors can witness daily demonstrations of blacksmithing and basket weaving while exploring the museum's extensive collection of rural Ulster traditions.
Where: Holywood | More Info: Enchanting Christmas Evening
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Bangor (5 miles)
- Castlereagh (8 miles)
- Belfast (9 miles)
- Carrickfergus (10 miles)
- Newtownabbey (10 miles)
- Lisburn (15 miles)
- Craigavon (30 miles)
- Ballymena (30 miles)
- Portadown (32 miles)
- Newry (39 miles)