Your guide to what's happening across Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon this week: the final Apple Sunday at Ardress, a run of concerts at the Market Place Theatre, family sessions at the Navan Centre and plenty more.
Quick facts: 5–11 October 2026 Biggest family day out: Apple Sunday at Ardress House, Sunday 11 October, 11am–5pm (the last one of the season) Best night out: Thursday to Saturday at the Market Place Theatre, Armagh Free to enjoy all week: exhibitions at the Market Place Theatre and the F.E. McWilliam Gallery Booking: most Market Place Theatre and Navan Centre events are ticketed, so check times and prices on the venue's booking page Status: details checked on 4 October 2026. Always confirm times with the venue before you travel.
What's on in Armagh this week?
Tuesday 6 October
Toddler Tuesday at the F.E. McWilliam Studio. A session for little ones, run by the Navan Centre & Fort team.
Thursday 8 October
Calum MacPhail in Concert at the Market Place Theatre.
Coldplace at the Market Place Theatre.
Experimental Mark-Making & Sketchbook Workshop at the Market Place Theatre & Arts Centre, for anyone who fancies a creative evening.
Friday 9 October
Made in Tennessee at the Market Place Theatre.
Richhill History Conference at the Quaker Meeting Hall, Richhill. One for local history fans.
Healing Herbs of the Celts at the Navan Centre & Fort.
Saturday 10 October
The Ennio Morricone Experience at the Market Place Theatre.
The 4 Of Us at the Market Place Theatre.
Craft and creative workshops at the Market Place Theatre & Arts Centre: 3D Felted Handbag & Pots, Digital Character Illustration and Introduction to Digital Illustration.
Sunday 11 October
Apple Sundays at Ardress House (see below).
Oktoberfest & Aufguss Night at The Hot Rocks Sauna.
Market Place Theatre & Arts Centre
What's the best family day out this weekend?
Apple Sundays at Ardress House is our pick. This is the final Apple Sunday of the season, on Sunday 11 October from 11am to 5pm. Ardress House sits in the heart of the Orchard County, and the day is all about Armagh's famous apples. You can have a go on the apple press, buy some local cider and browse the craft stalls. There is also a chance to pick apples from the local orchard (limited availability) and a cookery demonstration on cooking with apples.
A few practical points:
Is it free? The event itself is free, but normal admission charges apply for the venue.
Do I need to book? No booking is needed.
Parking: spaces are limited, so car share if you can.
Cash or card? Some traders accept cards, but it's wise to bring cash.
Dogs: not allowed at Ardress House because chickens roam freely in the farmyard. The Argory, about ten minutes away, has a dog exercise field if you want a day out with your four-legged friend.
Apple Sunday at Ardress House. Apple Tree, by P Flannagan,
via Wikimedia Commons / Geograph, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
What's on all week or all month?
Exhibitions at the Market Place Theatre & Arts Centre: Between Cloud and Ground by Ciara Campbell-Crawford and Somewhere Only We Know by Maria Liddy both run until Saturday 7 November.
Shore Collective: Threads of Time, Industry, Ecology and the River Bann at the F.E. McWilliam Gallery & Studio, running until the end of December.
300 Years of Gulliver's Travels at Armagh Robinson Library: an exhibition and lecture series running until the end of December.
Positive Ageing Month: free activities all October for over-50s across Armagh, Portadown, Lurgan, Banbridge, Dromore and local villages. The theme is "Move More to Live More." Check the ABC Borough Council website for the programme.
Artisan Food and Craft Markets across the borough run until 30 October. Check the council's events page for the date and venue near you.
What's coming up next?
Pencil these in for the following weeks:
Saturday 17 October: Trio of Trios at Craigavon Civic Centre, 7.30pm, a night of country and southern gospel music with three Northern Ireland groups. Listed as a free event.
Saturday 17 October: Orchard and Cider Tour Experience at Long Meadow Cider, with tastings, tea or coffee, and apple tart with fresh cream.
Saturday 17 October: NI Bands Contest 2026 at the Market Place Theatre.
Sunday 18 October: Jog On Cancer 5K/10K Run & Walk at Lurgan Park, from 10am.
Wednesday 21 October: Ghost Walk of Dromore on Market Street, Dromore.
Thursday 22 October: Black Moon Disco's Halloween Spooktakular at the Armagh City Hotel (7pm).
Friday 23 October: Portadown Male Voice Choir and guests at First Presbyterian Church, Armagh (7.30pm).
Tuesday 27 October: Kerry theatre company Foinse perform their new drama Cú Roí MacDara, an Irish myth retold, at the Navan Centre, Armagh. Doors 6.30pm, show 7pm (about 70 minutes), tickets £19 from the Navan Centre box office. Suitable for adults and children from 8.
Saturday 31 October: Samhain: The Beginning at the Navan Centre & Fort, Armagh, on the ancient site long linked with Irish mythology. Booking is through the Navan Centre ticket page.
Saturday 31 October: Richhill Apple Harvest Fayre in The Square, Richhill.
4–8 November: Tommy Makem Folk Festival at venues across Keady.
The details Apple Sundays at Ardress House: Sunday 11 October, 11am–5pm, Ardress House, near Portadown. Free event, normal admission applies. Phone 028 8778 4753. Market Place Theatre & Arts Centre: Thursday 8 to Saturday 10 October. Book through the theatre's ticket page. Navan Centre & Fort events: Tuesday 6 and Friday 9 October. Book through the Navan Centre ticket page. Richhill History Conference: Friday 9 October, Quaker Meeting Hall, Richhill. Oktoberfest & Aufguss Night: Sunday 11 October, The Hot Rocks Sauna.
Know of an event we've missed in Portadown, Lurgan, Banbridge or one of our villages? Get in touch with LivingABC and we'll add it.
By Brian, LivingABC
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