Ards and North Down Borough Council’s Arts and Heritage Summer Programme has just been released. The Summer programme, covering the May to August period is full of events, exhibitions, arts festivals and creative classes as well as lots happening in Ards Arts Centre and North Down Museum over the coming months.

Highlights from the Arts and Heritage Summer programme include the popular Friday Night Live series of events which will see talented acts take to the stage at Ards Arts Centre. There are also two special music events in June; Willie Drennan’s Journey of the Ulster Muse, happening at The Queen’s Hall, Newtownards and members of the Ulster Orchestra make a very welcome return to perform in Bangor Abbey.

To mark the Coronation of HRH King Charles III, a special programme of Coronation activity including an exhibition and informative talk at North Down Museum and a day of heritage skills demonstrations will take place.

Bangor Castle’s Walled Garden plays host to the popular ForM Sculpture Exhibition in June when artists from all around the island of Ireland will exhibit their work and the garden will be transformed into a unique outdoor gallery. Heartbreak Productions’ Summer Theatre returns to the garden in July with family fun in the shape of David Walliam’s Bad Dad and an evening production of MacHamLear, a farcical piece of new writing from award-winning playwright Michael Davies that shamelessly exploits the genius of Shakespeare.

The annual Creative Peninsula festival in August offers an abundance of opportunities to try your hand at arts and craft practices. Featuring workshops from talented local artists, studio visits and the fantastic Creative Peninsula in the Square event, there’s plenty to get involved with!

For anyone wishing to learn a new skill or perhaps develop existing skills, Ards Arts Centre has lots of creative classes on offer – from silversmithing to calligraphy, drawing to ceramics and lots more! Enrolment for classes opened for online booking from 9am on Tuesday 18 April 2023.

North Down Museum also has a busy Summer ahead. Highlights of their programme include the Bangor Horticultural Society Centenary Exhibition and a special ‘Learn to Grow’ event on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 May where visitors will have the opportunity to get advice and tips on growing plants from society members.

Speaking about the guide, Emily Crawford, Arts & Heritage Manager with Ards and North Down Borough Council said: “We have a jam-packed programme of cultural activity taking place in the coming months. With opportunities to get creative, learn new skills, enjoy live theatre and music and celebrate the Coronation of HRH King Charles III. We look forward to welcoming you to Ards Arts Centre and North Down Museum very soon.”

To view the full programme and to book tickets, visit: www.andculture.org.uk/whats-on