Belfast Pride Festival, Belfast, 17-26 July. Belfast Pride returns, marking the 35th anniversary of the city’s largest LGBTQIA+ festival. The centrepiece of the week is the Pride parade on July 25, which sees community groups, businesses, and allies join together for a walk through the city centre. Visitors can spend time at the Pride Village with stalls and family entertainment or attend the main stage performances at Custom House Square.
- The Walled Garden Presents Country, Ballynahinch, County Down, 19 July. Montalto Estate hosts an afternoon filled with acoustic sets, country favourites, and feel-good tunes as visitors soak up the fresh air and charm of their gardens. From toe-tapping classics to modern country hits, this is the perfect setting to relax with friends and enjoy the sounds of the Deep South.
- NNCG Makers Market at Ballycastle Sea Front, Ballycastle, County Antrim, 19 July. The flagship artisan market by Naturally North Coast & Glens on the beautiful Ballycastle Seafront. This is an excellent showcase of local food, culture, heritage, and traditions, and it is an ideal destination for anyone looking for an authentic experience.
- O’Neills Foyle Cup, Derry~Londonderry, 20-25 July. The festival of football which began in 1992 will welcome over 900 teams from the UK, Republic of Ireland, Spain, America and Canada, with teams ranging in ages from 8 to 19. This year’s tournament will cater for more than 11,500 young soccer players and reach over 250,000 spectators.
- Shortcross Distillery Tours (Whiskey), Crossgar, County Down, 23-25 July. Step inside Northern Ireland’s first award-winning craft distillery and the home of Shortcross Gin. Located at Rademon Estate Distillery, this immersive experience offers a unique insight into the art of Irish whiskey production. Explore a fully operational craft distillery and discover the sights, sounds, aromas, and flavours that bring our spirits to life.
- Fermanagh’s Got Country, Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, 23 July. Back by popular demand and following a sold-out show last year “Fermanagh’s Got Country” returns for another night of blistering toe-tapping magic and features a super line-up of 11 stars all on one stage in the Ardhowen Theatre that you won’t want to miss.
- Belfast Whiskey Week, 24 July – 1 August. Belfast is preparing to once again become the centre of the whiskey world as Belfast Whiskey Week returns for its eighth and most ambitious year yet – transforming the city into a nine-day celebration of whiskey, food, cocktails and culture.
- Armoy Road Races – The Race of Legends, Armory, County Armagh, 24 – 25 July. Road racing is a unique feature of Northern Ireland’s sporting heritage, attracting fans from all over the world. Attractions include the Truck Show & Run, Motorcycle Ride Out, Vintage & Classic Car show with Parade and Classic & Modern bike display with parade laps around the roads used as the Road Race Circuit.
- Ballymena Turns 400 … And We’re Going Super, Ballymena, County Antrim, 24 and 31 July
Visitors can enjoy all the usual favourites including giant games and inflatables, face painting and special guest characters. As part of their Super Fun Fridays at Wellington Court from 11am to 2pm, on Friday, 24 July meet some furry friends at their fabulous Petting Farm and say hello to their special guests Leo, Stitch and Angel. Then, on Friday, 31 July get ready to boogie at their Silent Disco and welcome back everyone’s favourite yellow troublemakers, The Minions. More dates and activities in August so check out the full programme.
- Legendary Telescopes Tour with Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, County Armagh, 25 July. The Armagh Observatory and Planetarium Legendary Telescopes Tour takes you on a journey through the Armagh Observatory to learn about its storied history and see its historic telescopes. Join your expert guide who will tell you about the history of the building and show you its telescopes and how they were used for pioneering science in their day.
- Féile An Phobail, Belfast, 25 July-9 August. Féile is a community arts festival, encompassing 600 events over 50 venues covering a broad range of art and cultural events plus live entertainment. The Saw Doctors, The 2 Johnnies, Ben Nicky and a Feile Dance Night headline the series of concerts in Falls Park while lively debates and discussions, art exhibitions, a 10K road race and summer school means there is a multitude of choice.
- Bluegrass BBQ: Pilgrim Street & Aiden Scott-Browne at Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh, County Tyrone, 26 July. Pilgrim Street will bring a lively mix of Bluegrass, old-time Country and Folk music to the Folk Park this July, supported by Aiden Scott-Browne. Try authentic American street food flavours at the BBQ and hang out at the family games field for a game of draughts, corn hole, tin can alley and more.
- Belfast TradFest, Belfast, 26 July-2 August. World-class traditional music concerts, fiery pub sessions, and the island of Ireland’s fastest growing summer school of traditional music, is set to land across Belfast UNESCO City of Music. The internationally renowned festival will mark this milestone with its most ambitious programme of music yet. The opening weekend features a spectacular outdoor céilí at the iconic Titanic Slipways, featuring the acclaimed Blackwater Céilí Band alongside special guest singers.
- Eastside Arts Festival, Belfast, 24 July-2 August. Celebrating its 15th year EastSide Arts has a dynamic programme of over 100 events with an ambitious mix of artists across music, theatre, comedy, visual arts, film, circus, talks and tours. Highlights include SOAK, Eastside Electronics, comedian Emer Maguire, singer Gareth Dunlop and Parkfest with an expanded free family programme.
- Budget Energy SuperCupNI, Coleraine, County Londonderry, 26-31 July. The Budget Energy SuperCupNI tournament is a magnet for top football clubs from all over the world, with teams such as Sunderland, Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool, Manchester United, Rangers, Celtic, Leeds United, West Ham United, Southampton and Tigres UANL, travelling to Northern Ireland for the week-long youth football tournament.
- Full Moon Boat Tours with Strangford Lough Boat Tours, Killinchy, County Down, 29 July. On this immersive night-time experience, participants will take a guided rib trip amongst the islands, hear some interesting facts, see the stars and enjoy the loughs wildlife under the serenity of the full moon. This tour offers a truly distinctive experience by blending natural beauty, storytelling, and slow adventure.
- Around the Town Festival, Carrickfergus, County Antrim, 31 July – 8 August. Around The Town returns for its third year with another packed programme of events across Carrickfergus, continuing to grow thanks to the incredible support of the local community. From bagpipes and brass bands to jazz, folk, comedy and pop favourites – there’s something happening for everyone during festival week.
- Marie Jones’ the Blind Fiddler at the Lyric, Belfast, 31 July until 16 August. The Blind Fiddler is a drama/comedy set in one of Belfast’s famous traditional music pubs. The play explores family, memory and cultural identity, set against a traditional Irish music backdrop.
- Dobbins Dander & Dine at Dobbins Inn, Carrickfergus, County Antrim, 31 July. Join an expert local resident tour guide on a walk beginning in the shadow of Carrickfergus Castle, incorporating the Walls Walk and many fascinating sites around the town with significant stories to be told.
- Hats Off to the Forthill, Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, 31 July. The popular Hats Off to Forthill event will take place on Friday 31 July from 2pm – 5pm. The event is free to attend and offers a lively afternoon of music, activities and family fun in one of Enniskillen’s most scenic historic parks. Visitors are encouraged to bring a picnic and enjoy live entertainment from DJ Bob, performing from the bandstand throughout the afternoon.
For more information on what’s on, or to plan your next giant adventure in Northern Ireland, visit: discovernorthernireland.com
Subject to availabilities with select dates.
The 'Travel' Life of Brian 