If you are looking for something to do over the August Bank Holiday, then the Shoreline Festival at Jordanstown Loughshore Park should fit the bill.
It will be held on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 August.
There is family fun on the Saturday and Sunday from 2pm until 5pm with amusements, an outdoor farm, cage football, inflatables and more.
This year there is an exciting new addition of the Big Wheel which you can ride to enjoy scenic views over the Belfast Lough.
Saturday will finish with Peter Corry’s ‘The Showman is Coming.’.
A fireworks display will follow the show at 10pm on the Saturday evening.
(Please note that glass bottles are not permitted at the show and the fireworks display is dependent on weather conditions).
On Sunday, the chilled out family summer fun continues with a free outdoor cinema at 3pm with a showing of Finding Nemo, followed by Mamma Mia at 6.30pm.
Make sure you also pay a visit to Whiteabbey Village from noon to 5pm, where there will be family fun activities, stalls and tasty treats.
Admission to the Shoreline Festival is free of charge, however a small charge will apply for the amusements and the Big Wheel.
For more information including a full list of planned activities visit www.antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk/shoreline.
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Following the success of its first Sensory Day in 2018, Belfast Zoo is delighted to once again host Sensory Day on Saturday, September 7.
This day allows visitors on the autism spectrum and those with other sensory requirements to enjoy a day out to the zoo in a stress-free environment.
Mini Explorers will provide a range of sensory activities which are suitable for children with more complex requirements.
Mini Explorers trained and professional staff will be on hand for parents to ask for advice or get tips on therapeutic sensory play and activities. Belfast Zoo staff are trained in autism awareness.
Alongside daily animal feedings and keeper talks, Sensory Day activities include:
- Early bird opening and Quiet Hour from 9am to 10am
- Fast track entry
- Touch tables
- Animal-themed sensory play
- Baby bonding area
- Pop-up Dark Den
- Sensory Stories
- Sensory activities
- Quiet Zones located throughout the zoo
Please note that the zoo will be open to the public as normal on this date, however they do encourage visitors with non-sensory requirements to visit on another date if possible.
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The Carnfunnock Children’s Carnival is on from noon to 2pm on Saturday, August 24.
There will be lots of different activities such as balloon modelling, a carnival stand where you can try your luck at Hoopla or join in at the clown skills area.
Price: £3.50 per child. Booking is essential as numbers limited (max 100 children).
Ticket only – payment required in advance.
Wear appropriate footwear and clothing as this is an outdoor event. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Contact: Carnfunnock Country Park on 028 2826 2471.

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On Sunday 11 August, the Shoreline Music Festival presents Feeder, plus special guests The Logues, live at Enniskillen Castle.
The festival kicks off on Friday 9 August with Planet Love, an outdoor dance event headlined by John O’Callaghan. On Saturday and Sunday Nathan Carter and Cliona Hagan will appear.
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There is a free family fun day with FREE activities, inflatables, face painting and sport taster sessions at the Big Community Day Out on Saturday (August 10) at the University of Ulster at Jordanstown.
Artisan crafts and food will be available.
There will also be a sports amnesty where you can recycle your unwanted sports equipment.
The event runs from 10am until 3pm.
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The Causeway Coast Truck Festival is back on the north coast on Saturday, August 17nd Sunday, August 18.
There is plenty for all the family and the convoy ends the event on the Sunday.
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Foyle Pride festival will run from 15 to 24 August with a packed programme of events.
If you missed Belfast Pride and you want to support the LGBT community, then head to the north west for a full programme of events.
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A leather art workshop takes place at An Creagan near Omagh on Saturday (August 10).
Cutting leather, stamping and tooling techniques, finishing and dying are all included.
It runs from 10am to 1pm and the cost is £40. You can book online.
Also at An Creagan is an Indian cooking class where you can learn to master the art of balancing spices and cooking techniques.
It takes place on Saturday, August 17 from 11am to 2pm and you can book online.
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Looking ahead to the end of the month and the 28th Annual Bluegrass Music Festival takes place at the Ulster American Folk Park.
Visitors can enjoy three days of live music from some of the biggest names in bluegrass and old time music.
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On Tuesday 10 September, award-winning and bestselling author Margaret Atwood will have her highly anticipated new novel – The Testaments – a sequel to her most celebrated work, The Handmaid’s Tale, published.
In a live event on this date at the QFT in Belfast, cinema audiences will be treated to an evening in conversation with Margaret Atwood about the release of the new book, her long and distinguished career and why she has returned to her story of The Handmaid’s Tale, 34 years after she wrote the original.
There will be exclusive readings from the book by a number of actors.
The event is filmed live from the stage of the National Theatre.
The writer will also answer questions from audiences across the country in this rare appearance and intimate evening.
Cinema
Annabelle Comes Home
The Current War
Horrible Histories: The Movie
The Lion King
The Queen’s Corgi
Toy Story 4
Aladdin
The Intruder
Midsommar
Yesterday


















































