The 'Travel' Life of Brian

***One of Europe’s most impressive cave systems, Marble Arch Caves***

Armagh Food and Cider Weekend, Armagh, County Armagh, 3 – 6 September. Brimming with fine foods, foraged lunches, cider tasting, tours, talks and fiction amongst the apple-laden orchards. Combine all this with award winning ciders and the most stunning surroundings and you are in for a harvest season treat.

NI Legends at Galgorm Castle Estate, Ballymena, County Antrim, until 6 September. The NI Legends returns to Galgorm for the second time, continuing a strong tradition of tournament golf at the Northern Ireland venue. A proven championship venue, the 2026 NI legends at Galgorm will be the 21st international golf tournament staged there.

Belfast International Tattoo, Belfast, 4-5 September. The O2 Belfast hosts a spectacular showcase of music, precision, and tradition as world-class performers are brought together from across the globe. The Belfast International Tattoo 2026 promises an unforgettable celebration of military music, dance, and cultural heritage like never before.

Community Pop-Up Apple Press at Downhill Demesne, Castlerock, County Londonderry, 5 September. Celebrate the arrival of autumn on the Causeway Coast with a traditional apple harvest experience at Downhill Demesne. Join the team in the beautiful, tranquil Walled Garden at Lion’s Gate for their annual Community Pop-Up Apple Press event. Bring your own apples, or pick some fresh from the orchard, and learn how to turn them into delicious, freshly-squeezed apple juice.

Hillsborough Fort Guard – Royal Hillsborough Walking Experience, County Down, 5 and 19 September. Experience Hillsborough through the eyes of a Hillsborough Fort Guard Warder, whose expert storytelling brings centuries of royal, military, social and local history vividly to life. Our guided walking tour offers exclusive insights, authentic heritage interpretation, and a uniquely immersive connection to the village’s past that you won’t find anywhere else.

Eats & Beats Festival, Newcastle, County Down, 5 – 6 September. As summer fades, the Eats & Beats festival lights up Newcastle, celebrating Mourne Gullion Strangford’s vibrant musical heritage and food scene. This festival is a foodie’s and music lover’s paradise with a wealth of flavours and incredible acts, in addition to events and festivities in venues right across the town. This eclectic mix of delicious food and live performances ensures an unforgettable weekend in the heart of the Mourne Gullion Strangford Geopark.

Leaf and Lore: Autumn Native Tree Walk at Ulster Fork Museum, Holywood, County Down, 5 September. Learn how to identify different tree species and their important roles in our local eco-system. Find out how different tree species have shaped the history, folklore and landscape of Northern Ireland. During the walk, The Conservation Volunteers will tell you about the work they’re doing to a preserve our trees, plus the challenges posed by invasive species, climate change, and human activities. You’ll also have the chance to visit our on-site tree nursery.

Beach Ride Experience with Crindle Stables, Limavady, County Londonderry, 11 September. Enjoy a scenic horseback ride along the stunning Northern Ireland coastline. This Beach Ride with Crindle Stables offers a unique outdoor adventure for riders 12 years and older, and is perfect for all skill levels.

European Heritage Open Days (EHOD), various locations across Northern Ireland, 12-13 September. Discover the stories, places and people that make Northern Ireland unique during European Heritage Open Days (EHOD) 2026, taking place on 12–13 September 2026. Hosted by the Department for Communities, EHOD is Northern Ireland’s largest celebration of built, cultural and natural heritage, offering free access to hundreds of events, historic sites, and unique experiences across the region. Whether you’re interested in architecture, archaeology, local history, industrial heritage, traditional crafts, family activities, or hidden places normally closed to the public, EHOD offers something for everyone.

Autumn Foraging Walk with Broughgammon Farm, Ballycastle, County Antrim, 13 September. Step onto their beautiful, nature friendly farm and uncover the hidden food and remedies growing all around us on this wild food Foraging Walk. This immersive experience will guide you through their native hedgerows, woodland, gardens, and farm land to discover the wonderful plants nature provides.

Taste Autumn in Ards and North Down, various locations, County Down, 11-27 September. Taste Autumn is set to show case the very best of Ards and North Down’s food and drink through a packed programme of events and experience. Savour seasonal tide and turf produce and some of the borough’s finest food and drink which offers something for all palates. Enjoy this celebration of land and sea and savour the season with delicious local produce.

The Wee Binnian Walkers Hillwalking Festival, Warrenpoint, County Down, 11-13 September. This September Wee Binnian Walkers [the Social Club that walks] warmly invites you to join them for their 2026 hillwalking festival. Throughout the weekend you will have the opportunity to hike in the Mourne and Cooley mountains, both areas of outstanding natural beauty steeped in myth and legend. Their trained and experienced leaders will guide you on a variety of graded walks suitable for all abilities.

Mourne Alpacas Sunset Supper, Dromara, County Down, 10,11 and 17-19 September. Arriving into stunning pastures in the large alpaca breeding and fibre farm, your experience begins with our Alpaca Trek where you get to trek with one alpaca in the pastures seeing so many more along the route. The scrumptious Sunset Supper (which can be tailored to your preferences for content if time allows) is £85 for two people with additional guests £38 per person – includes a full alpaca trek, fascinating field to fashion presentation and delicious luxury Supper with juices, tea & coffee included. Time for the experience is listed at 1.5 hours.

Culture Night 2026, Various locations, 18 September. Across towns and cities in Northern Ireland, Culture Night invites everyone to explore museums, galleries, historic buildings, streets and public spaces after hours. Culture Night celebrates creativity in all its forms, showcasing local artists, cultural organisations and communities, and offering a unique opportunity to experience Northern Ireland’s rich cultural life in fresh and unexpected ways.

Wild Caving – Marble Arch Caves, Florencecourt, County Fermanagh, 19 September. Delve off the beaten track with our experienced and qualified Cave Leader to explore “wild caving” in the depths of the Marble Arch Caves system. Your group of 10 will explore wild cave passages, negotiate boulder chambers and clamber through the well-known flyover to emerge into the public tour area of the show cave before navigating your way out through the wild chambers.

Meet the Designers: Fashion Tea at Titanic Belfast, Belfast, 20 September. Join Titanic Belfast and the Council of Irish Fashion Designers (CIFD) for a stylish afternoon celebrating Irish fashion, creativity and craftsmanship. Enjoy live music before a fascinating panel discussion hosted by renowned fashion commentator Eddie Shanahan, featuring leading Irish designers Amy Anderson (Kindred of Ireland), Sara O’Neill (Éadach), Sarah Murphy (Jack Murphy) and Monica Walsh (Cobblers Lane).

Aspects Festival, various locations across Bangor, County Down, 23 September – 4 October. Aspects Festival returns to Bangor with a vibrant programme of author talks, poetry events, workshops, performances and exhibitions. This year’s festival welcomes acclaimed writers including John Banville, Jan Carson and David Park, alongside an exciting mix of poets, authors and performers from near and far.

Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World : Gulliver’s Travels at 300 at Armagh Robinson Library, Armagh, County Armagh until 24 December. 2026 marks the 300th anniversary of the first edition of Travels Into Several Remote Nations of the World. This work, written by Jonathan Swift, is commonly known as Gulliver’s Travels. The library is very proud to own Jonathan Swift’s own large paper copy of that first edition. This copy contains annotations by Swift’s own hand. This exhibition, “Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World : Gulliver’s Travels at 300”, explores Gulliver’s Travels as a commentary on 18th century society, politics, science, education, and human nature.

Sperrin Sculpture Trail, various locations, County Tyrone, visit website for open dates and times. Nestled in the heart of Northern Ireland, the Sperrin Mountains offer nature lovers and adventure seekers an unforgettable experience. And deep within this beautiful landscape, lie three gentle and majestic giants. Together, the trio form the Sperrin Sculpture Trail, an exciting art installation created by world acclaimed artist, Thomas Dambo. The three locations include: Nowanois: The Storytellers – Glenelly Valley near Cranagh; Darach: The Guardian – Mullaghcarn Mountain; and Ceoldán: The Stargazer – Davagh Forest.

OM Dark Sky Park and Observatory Guided Tour, Omagh, County Tyrone, visit website for open dates and times. Star hop across the universe on one of the daily guided tours. The interactive exhibition links the landscape with the astronomical and archaeological heritage of the Sperrins, featuring holographic installations.

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.

ENDS