Ards and North Down Borough Council is pleased to reveal its Arts and Heritage Summer Programme, taking place from May through August 2026. Featuring a dynamic blend of exhibitions, events, and interactive creative experiences, the programme promises wide-ranging appeal, with Ards Arts Centre and North Down Museum at the heart of the season’s activity.
A key feature of this year’s offering is the much-loved Friday Night Live series at Ards Arts Centre, welcoming performances from Colm Gavin & Kenan Flannery and Gráinne Hunt. Fans of classical music can enjoy an uplifting programme by the Ulster Orchestra at Bangor Abbey on 19 June, filled with vibrant, joyful melodies.
Families are in for a treat as Out of the Box, an award-winning circus comedy show, arrives at the Space Theatre at SERC on 8 and 9 July. Fresh from five-star acclaim at the Edinburgh Fringe and recently named Best Family Show at the Brighton Fringe, Darryl J Carrington’s production transports audiences into a world where everyday moments become magical. This energetic performance centres around an unlikely character and his mysterious box, sparking delight and surprise at every turn.
June sees the return of the popular ForM Sculpture Exhibition, set once again in the beautiful Walled Garden at Bangor Castle. Featuring work by talented artists from across Ireland, this year’s showcase will additionally be part of Bangor’s Late-Night Art event on 25 June.
Creative enthusiasts can look forward to the Creative Peninsula festival in August, which offers a rich programme of workshops, artist studio visits, and the well-attended Creative Peninsula in the Square event. It’s an ideal opportunity for anyone eager to explore or develop their artistic interests.
Ards Arts Centre will also run a varied selection of creative classes suitable for beginners and experienced makers alike. From illustration and mosaic making to silversmithing and painting, participants can discover new skills or enhance existing ones. Online enrolment for these classes opens at 12pm on Thursday 23 April.
North Down Museum also has a packed summer exhibition schedule, including The Birth of Irish Motor Racing, celebrating over a century of the Ulster Automobile Club, and Treading the Boards, marking 90 years of Bangor Drama Club. Younger visitors can enjoy the return of the Little Historians Workshops in July, offering hands-on exploration of Castle Park’s fascinating past. On 20 August, the lively Shake, Rattle and Sparkle! music sessions will encourage children to experiment with sound in fun and engaging ways.
Emily Crawford, Arts & Heritage Manager at Ards and North Down Borough Council, said:
“We are delighted to present such a rich and varied Arts and Heritage Summer Programme. From live performances and exhibitions to family activities and creative workshops, there truly is something for everyone. We welcome visitors of all ages to join us at Ards Arts Centre and North Down Museum this summer.”
Full details and booking information are available at www.andculture.org.uk/whats-on
@cultureardsandnorthdown
