When: Sat 21 Jun – Mon 22 Sep Where: WWT Castle Espie Cost: Various Time: Various A summer of dragonfly-themed events and activities. Explore the magical world of dragonflies and dive into a summer full of wondrous new wetland experiences. W: wwt.org.uk Visit the event website here
When: Sat 6 – Sun 28 Sep Where: W5, Belfast Cost: Normal Admissions Time: Various Join W5 for FREE dino-mite live science shows and hands-on drop-in sessions - perfect for curious kids, dino-loving grownups, and everyone in between! W: w5online.co.uk/ Visit the event website here
When: Sat 6 Sep Where: Portavogie Harbour Cost: Free Time: 12pm-5pm A celebration of local delicacies, located at the heart of the fishing industry at Portavogie docks. The beautiful harbour village of Portavogie will host a celebration of delicious local produce as well as the Borough's finest food and drink on Saturday 6 September with […]
When: Sun 7 Sep Where: Belfast Zoo Cost: Normal Admission Time: 9am-10am Quiet hours will run from 9am to 10am, allowing families to explore the zoo with a more peaceful atmosphere, at an earlier time than the general public. Autism-friendly afternoons will take place from 3pm to 6pm, offering a calmer zoo experience later in […]
When: Mon 8 Sep Where: Island Arts Centre, Lisburn Cost: £5, Family £12 Time: 6:30pm The Princess Bride’ is one of the most beloved films of all time and has enchanted young and old alike for over thirty years! (1987) PG. W: visitlisburncastlereagh.com Visit the event website here
When: Thu 11 Sep - Sat 20 Sep Where: Various Cost: Various Time: Various From guided foraging walks in the foothills to traditional Irish singing workshops, every event offers a personal, authentic connection to the area’s heritage. W: visitmournemountains.co.uk Visit the event website here
When: Thu 11 Sep Where: Mussenden Temple and Downhill Demesne Cost: Normal Admission Time: 2pm-4pm There's nothing like the taste of freshly squeezed juice, so come along and celebrate the apple harvest in the Walled Garden at Lion’s Gate. Bring your own apples or pick some from our orchard and use the pop-up apple press […]
When: Sat 13-Sun 14 Sep Where: Various locations across NI Cost: Free Time: Various packed programme of events and activities including guided tours, talks and lectures, living history re-enactments, community fun days and more, has something for everyone and is not to be missed! W: discovernorthernireland.com Visit the event website here
When: Sat 13 & Sun 14 Sep Where: Union Hall Place, Derry/L-derry Cost: Free Time: 9am-5:30pm Free Guided Tours of The Story of Derry Exhibition, free entry to the Derry Girls Experience. Through a VR headset voyage across the Atlantic in 1891, help defend the U-boat menace in your hot air balloon or get a […]
When: Sat 13 – Sun 14 Sep Where: Ulster Museum Cost: Free Time: 10am-4:30pm (drop-in) Create and collage your own stained-glass window design and create your own mini museum in Discover History to take home with you! W: ulstermuseum.org Visit the event website here
When: Sat 13 Sep Where: The MAC, Belfast Cost: £7 Time: 10am-12pm Explore Belfast’s textile past through sound, song, and thread. Inspired by the old linen mills, you’ll listen to the rhymes and rhythms once heard in those busy spaces - and use them to spark our own creative ideas. Age 7-11. W: themaclive.com Visit […]
When: Sat 13 Sep Where: The MAC, Belfast Cost: £7 Time: 10am-12pm Explore Belfast’s textile past through sound, song, and thread. Inspired by the old linen mills, you’ll listen to the rhymes and rhythms once heard in those busy spaces - and use them to spark our own creative ideas. Age 7-11. W: themaclive.com Visit […]
When: Sat 13 Sep Where: The Market Place Theatre, Armagh Cost: £5, Child £3 Time: 11am Garfield, the world-famous, Monday-hating, lasagne-loving indoor cat, is about to have an outdoor adventure. W: marketplacearmagh.ticketsolve.com Visit the event website here
When: Sat 13 Sep Where: Townsend Street, Belfast Cost: Free Time: 11am-2:30pm Visit the home of the Ulster Orchestra they open the doors to the Grade B+ listed building, formerly Townsend Street Presbyterian Church, where the orchestra has been based since 2022. W: discovernorthernireland.com Visit the event website here
When: Sat 13 Sep Where: Narrow Water Keep, Newry Cost: Free (Booking Required) Time: 12pm-4pm Join Medieval Combat Group for talks and demonstrations on the art of medieval sword craft! W: discovernorthernireland.com
When: Sat 13 Sep Where: The Old Market House, Bangor Cost: Free Time: 12pm-5pm Celebrate Craft, Culture and Community and The Old Market House’s Autumn Artisan Market. W: visitardsandnorthdown.com Visit the event website here
When: Sun 14, 21 & 28 Sep Where: Belfast Zoo Cost: Normal Admission Time: 9am-10am Quiet hours will run from 9am to 10am, allowing families to explore the zoo with a more peaceful atmosphere, at an earlier time than the general public. Autism-friendly afternoons will take place from 3pm to 6pm, offering a calmer zoo […]
When: Sun 14 Sep Where: Queen’s Film Theatre Cost: £6 / £5 Time: 12:30pm Embark on a magical journey with the film A Girl Named Willow, a story that celebrates imagination, friendship, and the courage to believe in yourself. W: cinemagic.org.uk Visit the event website here
When: Sun 14 Sep Where: Kilbroney Park, Rostrevor Cost: Free (parking charges apply) Time: 1pm-3pm Get your photo taken with our dinos and let your imagination run wild as you step back in time to when dinosaurs ruled the earth. Plus, there will be games, arts, and crafts to enjoy. W: visitmournemountains.co.uk Visit the event […]
When: Sat 20 Sep Where: Ulster Folk Museum Cost: Normal Admission Time: 10am-5pm Harvest marks the end of the growing season when crops are finally ready for gathering and processing Roll up your sleeves and get stuck in with potato picking, or enjoy the smells of baking demonstrations. W: ulsterfolkmuseum.org Visit the event website here
When: Sat 20 Sep Where: Antrim Library Cost: Free Time: 12pm Come along to Antrim Library and enjoy a film screening at the new Cinema Club for Families. Everyone is welcome to bring a packed lunch or picnic to the screening. W: librariesni.org.uk Visit the event website here
When: Sat 20 Sep Where: The MAC, Belfast Cost: £5 Time: 12pm, 2pm & 4pm join the enchanted storyteller as she tells you a tale of a valiant and cowardly Prince as he journeys through dark woods all to save the Princess from a terrible fire breathing Dragon. W: themaclive.com Visit the event website here
When: Sat 20 Sep Where: The Market Place Theatre, Armagh Cost: £12 Time: 12:30pm & 3pm Join the animals down on Old MacDonald’s Farm for fun, songs and excitement. Friendly Sammy Scarecrow is enjoying his first day on Old MacDonald’s Farm and loves meeting all of the colourful characters that live there. Age 1-7 W: […]
When: Sun 14, 21 & 28 Sep Where: Belfast Zoo Cost: Normal Admission Time: 9am-10am Quiet hours will run from 9am to 10am, allowing families to explore the zoo with a more peaceful atmosphere, at an earlier time than the general public. Autism-friendly afternoons will take place from 3pm to 6pm, offering a calmer zoo […]
When: Sat 27 Sep - Sun 28 Sep Where: Bangor Castle, Castle Park Cost: Free entry Time: 11am-5pm This two-day family-friendly market event will showcase the best artisan produce from Ards and North Down in the grounds of Bangor Castle, Castle Park in County Down. Join us on the West Lawn and City Hall Car […]
When: Sun 14, 21 & 28 Sep Where: Belfast Zoo Cost: Normal Admission Time: 9am-10am Quiet hours will run from 9am to 10am, allowing families to explore the zoo with a more peaceful atmosphere, at an earlier time than the general public. Autism-friendly afternoons will take place from 3pm to 6pm, offering a calmer zoo […]
When: Sun 28 Sep Where: Armagh Planetarium & Observatory Cost: Child tickets from £6 Time: 10am-5pm Enjoy a calmer experience with regular dome shows running at reduced capacity and lower volume. Your dome show ticket also includes entry to exhibition area, sensory room and the workshop of the day. W: armagh.space Visit the event website […]
When: Sun 28 Sep Where: Lagan Valley Island Cost: From £12 Time: 12pm & 3:30pm Join the animals down on Old MacDonald’s Farm for fun, songs and excitement. Friendly Sammy Scarecrow is enjoying his first day on Old MacDonald’s Farm and loves meeting all of the colourful characters that live there. W: laganvalleyisland.co.uk Visit the […]
When: Thu 2 Oct Where: Ulster Museum Cost: Free Time: 2pm-4:30pm (drop-in) Let your imagination run free in Discover Art on Level 5. Read poems inspired by the natural world and explore the wonders that shaped them W: ulstermuseum.org Visit the event website here
When: Sat 4 Oct – Sun 9 Nov Where: Hillsborough Castle Cost: Normal Admission Time: In-line with garden opening hours Hillsborough Castle's much-loved Scarecrow Parade is back! An array of colourful characters will take over the Walled Garden W: hrp.org.uk Visit the event website here
When: Sat 4 Oct Where: The Argory, Dungannon Cost: Free Time: 10am-12pm Relaxed Saturday morning volunteering sessions for families. Activities will include seed collecting and some outdoor conservation work. Let them know in advance if you would like to attend – peter.brown4@nationaltrust.org.uk W: nationaltrust.org.uk Visit the event website here
Step into Autumn and immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of our shoreline at the Shorelife Celebration! Join in on Saturday, 4 October at the stunning WWT Castle Espie and National Trust Mount Stewart. With free admission to both venues and complimentary free pre-bookable bus travel, it’s the perfect day out for families and nature […]