Northern Ireland might be a small corner of the world but packs a big punch when it comes to events. This summer is no different with a great range of outdoor events to enjoy. Whether you’re a sports fanatic, an art aficionado, or a lover of spoken word and music, there are plenty of events to enjoy.
Golf – ISPS Handa World Invitational returns to Galgorm Castle, Co Antrim from July 28th – August 1.
The 2021 ISPS Handa World Invitational for Men and Women will be one of the most exciting and innovative tournaments in world golf. Men and women compete for the same level of prize money (US $1.5 million each). A field of 288 players including Ryder Cup players, multiple tour winners, and former Irish Open champions will take part. Tickets for the ISPS HANDA World Invitational are currently on sale starting from only £5 for Juniors and £15 for adults. ISPS Golf
Community Festival – Féile an Phobail, Belfast: August 5th – 15th.
Irelands largest community arts festival, Féile an Phobail, will return this summer for 10 days. It will showcase the very best of the West Belfast Community, its creative talent, its people, and its places. The festival will have an eclectic mix of arts and cultural events. It will include headline music concerts, international sporting events and Irish traditional music. There will also be talks and debates, tours and walks, comedy, theatre, visual arts, family, and events for young people. Féile Belfast
Arts – Eastside Arts Festival, Belfast: August 5th – 15th
Celebrating 25 years and featuring 100 plus artists across more than 80 events in the Eastside Arts Festival. It will be taking place both in-person and online. People can enjoy the festival from the comfort of home, outdoors in person, or at a range of east Belfast locations as part of a socially distanced audience.
This year the festival has introduced a Digital Festival Pass which provides access to all of the online events, to watch live or On Demand. From music, theatre, film, books and spoken word, walks and tours, circus and cabaret, comedy and events for children and families; there will be something for everyone. Eastside Arts
Music – Open House Festival, Bangor: August 12th – 20th
Open House Festival will be a three-week series of events during August, set under a canopy in the beautiful Walled Garden at Bangor Castle. The music, comedy and spoken word events will be fully seated. It will be intimate with reduced capacity, and will feature Mary Coughlan, Duke Special, Celtic Soul, Dana Masters, Paddy Raff, Colin Geddis and Shane Todd.
The Festival will include walks, talks, and tours around the seaside town, such as the hugely popular Folk on a Boat. On Sunday afternoons there will be free concerts in Ward Park on Sunday afternoons. Open House
Half Marathon – Antrim Coast, Larne: Sunday August 29th
Starting and finishing at the Chaine Memorial tower built in 1888, the Antrim Coast Half Marathon course will sweep through Larne town. The route will follow the Antrim Coast Road. Then it will turn at Ballygally, one of the oldest inhabited areas of Ireland. The marathon will include 100 elite runners and 10,000 participants. The after party, will feature circus acts, street art, bar, live music, kid’s play zone and all for free. Antrim Marathon
Arts – Cathedral Quarter Festival, Belfast: September 2nd – 12th
The 21st edition of the annual festival taking place in September for 2021 has signalled its plans to make much more use of outdoor spaces and use larger venues to facilitate social distancing. Many of the festival shows will also be livestreamed for those unable to attend in person. A Marquee in Writer’s Square will host the remarkable chanteuse Camille O’Sullivan singing the songs of Nick Cave and festival hell-raisers King Kong Company. Bell X1 will perform a special show in St Anne’s Cathedral with Dowry Strings and the Black Box will host folk legend Luka Bloom and Americana from The Handsome Family. Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival
For more information on great places to visit and for things to see and do – check out Discover Northern Ireland.
