Family-Friendly Activities to do this Summer across Northern Ireland
Are you looking for a summer of fun, then look no further😎🍉🌞
Last updated 25th Jun 2024
We have the perfect list of family-friendly activities to do across Northern Ireland this summer
W5 -The Creatures of Phoenix Island
Embark on a mythical adventure to the land before time this summer.
Building on the success of last years DRAGONS- these fabled creatures are set to make an even bigger roaring return.
This event is suitable for all ages and is a FREE experience with general admission to W5
Ulster Museum- Festival of Archaeology
Why not explore the Festival of Archaeology this July in Belfast’s Ulster Museum.
With a wide variety of events taking place Tuesday 18th to Friday 28th July including:
- Exploring the Elizabethans – 25th,26th & 27th July
- Treasure Island: Archaeology and the Treasure Act- 27th July
- Archaeology Treasure Hunt and Making Workshop- 25th July
- Vikings, Runes and a Polar Bear- 26th July
- Experimental Archaeology: People, Pots & Places- 28th July
Belfast Zoo Explorers Club
Belfast’s Zoo Explorers Club is a weeklong summer programme for children aged 7-11 from 15 July – 16 August.
Explorers can enjoy:
Animal interactions
Trails around the zoo
VIP behind the scenes access
Arts and crafts
Biodiversity
Meeting the zookeepers
Our Explorers’ Club runs Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 3.30pm. You must book and pay in advance.
Andersonstown Indoor Aqua Park
Have some fun this summer at the Andersonstown Indoor Aqua Park!
Test your thrills with their 3 exhilarating high speed water slides, including the first vertical drop slide in Ireland.
Surf it up and experience the thrill of catching a wave at the indoor surf simulator- the first ever in Northern Ireland.
Splash and play in the Aqua Play adventure area, perfect for little ones across the summer season!
Summerfest Belfast Weekend Four : Country & Western
Get ready for Belfast’s newest festival celebrating diversity through music and good food. July’s theme of Country & Western will have you up dancing in your boots, with a plentiful of family fun day activities, a variety of artists.
- Thursday 4th July 5pm-11:30pm : over 18's Free for Students
- Friday 5th July : 5pm-11:30pm : over 18's
- Saturday 6th July : 3pm-11:30pm : over 18's
- Sunday 7th July : 11am - 6pm : Family Day - Children Welcome
Strawberry Picking at Flavour First in Donaghadee
Experience the summer joy of Strawberry picking at Flavour First in Donaghadee.
Book your very own slot HERE for this family fun activity.
Pickie to Pier swim returns
The Pickie to Pier Swim will return to Bangor on Saturday 6th July for its fifth outing.
In nod to the original race, which ran from 1910 until the mid-1980s, the 200 participants will now swim an 800-metre course from Skippingstone Beach at Pickie to the tip of the Eisenhower Pier, and then loop back to the starting point at Skippingstone.
The Narrows Series - Sailing Regatta
Enjoy this thrilling 4-day competitive Sail Racing on Strangford Lough with over 100 boats making their way to starting line for the launch of the event Sails Race "The Barbouy Race"
Other activities involve kids' events, sailing, live entertainment, excellent restaurants and bars for food and nightlife.
Paddle and Pizza on Strangford Lough
Why not try something new this summer with Paddle and Pizza on Strangford Lough?
Enjoy a relaxing guided paddle through the beautiful Ballymorran Bay followed by a short stroll to Tracey’s Farmhouse Kitchen to enjoy freshly cooked pizza!
Kayak Sunset Sessions at Rostrevor
Enjoy a beautiful kayak sunset session each week across the summer months on the scenic Carlingford Lough, running from Rostrevor slipway.
The sunset sessions run every Monday and Wednesday evening 6pm-8pm at £15pp
Click HERE for to book your space
Sports Direct Women’s Premiership GW8
It’s a football summer so why not keep up and join Game week 8 in the Sports Direct Women’s Premiership 2024 season
Friday 5th July
- Glentoran Women vs Cliftonville Ladies – Blanchflower Stadium – 19:45
- Larne Women vs Linfield Women – Inver Park – 19:45
- Mid Ulster Ladies vs Lisburn Ladies – Stangmore Park – 19:45
- Crusaders Strikers vs Lisburn Rangers – Seaview – 19:45
Tickets can be purchased at the gate for each Women’s Premiership Fixture
Stendhal Festival Limavady
Stendhal Festival is back this summer!
Enjoy Northern Ireland’s biggest and best loved independent music and arts festival since 2011.
The festivals dedicated family programme caters to children and families of all ages, having been awarded ‘Ireland’s Best Family Festival’.
O’Neill’s Foyle Cup 2024
The O’Neills Foyle Cup is a highly successful youth soccer tournament held in the City of Derry.
The festival of football which began in 1992 will see a return this year, running from 15-20 July and boasting over 580 teams ranging in ages from 8 to 19.
The tournament caters for boys, girls, ladies and sports with disability.
The new 'Six Days Festival of Football' will see teams will travel from the UK, Republic of Ireland, Spain, America and Canada and 2024 will cater for more than 11,500 young soccer players and reach well more than over 250,000 spectators.
Belfast Pride Festival
Belfast Pride is the biggest event of the year for LGBTQIA+ people in Belfast having been first founded in 1991.
With over 150 events across 10 days, the festival runs from Friday 19th July to Sunday 28th July with Pride Day and Pride Parade taking place on Saturday 27th July.
Lady of the Lake Festival from 11-21 July
The Lady of the Lake Festival is back this summer in Irvinestone, providing 11 days of fun for all from 11th to 21st July.
The Summer festival is centred around a mythical lady whose appearance on Lough Erne was thought to be a sign of good times ahead.
Enjoy some good music, a raft race, various innovative competitions and activities, a fair day and a popular and noisy truck parade.
Red Sails Festival from 21-27 July
The Red Sails Festival is a week-long festival full of fun and events for all ages.
The seven days will be packed with music, dance, workshops, children's entertainment and spectacular fireworks.
Live music this year includes performances by The Rhythm Rascals, Willie Drennan Ulster Scots Folk Band, Wilson Magwere Band, Coastal Vocals and Polar Bolero.
Children's events include a sandcastle workshop and competition, treasure hunt, disco and games as well as a family fun day at the Beach courtesy of the National Trust.
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