Preview // 10 Awesome Things To Do In Northern Ireland This Week (27 Aug – 2 Sept)

The awesome guys at the tourist board know there are stacks of fun things to do across NI, from family days out to gigs and cultural events every week. So here are their top 10 exciting things taking place this week (27 Aug – 2 Sept)

1. 27th Bluegrass Music Festival 2018, Omagh, 31 August – 2 September. Three days of live music from some of the biggest names in bluegrass and old time music. Line-up includes the multi-award winning Bluegrass & Gospel duo Darin & Brooke Aldridge, acclaimed traditional music veterans Mike Compton and Joe Newberry and the Demolition String Band, to name but a few.
2. Air Waves Portrush 2018, Coleraine, 1 – 2 September.  From historic wartime aircraft to stunning planes at the cutting edge of technology, this event offers a weekend filled with spectacular flying displays against the beautiful backdrop of the East Strand Beach. On the ground, attractions include the hugely popular STEM Village, motor village, trade stalls and exhibitions.
3. Walking With Dinosaurs, Belfast, 31 August – 2 September. Based on the award-winning BBC television series, starring Michaela Strachan as ‘Huxley’ the palaeontologist, the incredible Walking with Dinosaurs comes to Belfast’s SSE Arena. The show depicts the dinosaurs’ evolution with almost cinematic realism. Read our review from when it visited these shores previously.
4. Waterside Half Marathon, Derry~Londonderry, 2 September. The 37^th Waterside Half Marathon will start in Ebrington Square. The route will take runners across the river to the cityside, showcasing Derry’s parks, greenways and bridges before finishing at St Columb’s Park.
5. Mount Stewart Conversations Festival, Co. Down, 1 – 2 September. This unmissable weekend festival, which celebrates the arts, literature, music and big ideas, will centre on the theme of Women in Power. The festival offers a stellar line-up of acclaimed guests for an array of debates, talks and performances.
6. Carnival of Colours, Derry~Londonderry, 1 – 2 September. Two Big Top Circus Tents filled with international circus shows including Tumble Circus, Two’s a Crowd and Fancy Pants Circus. This event will host an outdoor cinema, workshops and music acts, including a Stendhal and Celtronic takeover on the Saturday night, where the big top will be transformed with festival vibes.
7. Cinema Day, Across Northern Ireland, 27 August. The theme of this year’s Cinema Day is “Home”, with 29 events taking place across the cinematic six counties. Highlights include a Full Moon Fest at the Black Box, where you are invited to dress up and singalong to the Wizard of Oz and Movie House cinemas across Northern Ireland will be showing the Disney classic, Lady and the Tramp.
8. Weaponry at Martello Tower, Limavady, 1 September.  Soldiers from Wellington’s army demonstrate their weapons and drill while patrolling their lookout against Napoleon at the well-known Martello tower. A marvellous re-enactment of a time between 1812 and 1817 during the French invasion.
9. Bangor Christian Heritage Walk, Bangor, 28 August. Learn about Christian Heritage as you trace the steps of Canons, Priests and Pilgrims. This tour includes visits to Bangor Abbey Church of Ireland, St Comgall’s Roman Catholic Church, First Bangor Presbyterian Church and the North Down Museum, which houses a life-size reconstruction of a monk’s cell.
10. Rare Breed Survival Trust Northern Ireland Support Group Annual Show and Sale, Armagh, 1 September. Enjoy a wonderful family day out at Northern Ireland’s Annual Rare Breed Show and Sale in Gosford Forest Park. The show rings will include native breed cattle, sheep and pigs that will be judged to determine which animals are the best representatives of their breed.