Markets, music and family fun are queuing up across Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon over the next few weeks — here's everything worth pencilling into the diary.
A quieter week before the bank holiday rush
Things are fairly calm across the borough this week, with no major events landing before Thursday. If you're around, it's worth knowing that Armagh Observatory and Planetarium is running its Meet an Astronomer sessions every Thursday through August, from 12pm until 2pm — this Thursday, 27 August, will be the last one before the school term returns. The Planetarium's Stellar Science Show is also bookable through to Friday 28 August, and the 300 Years of Gulliver's Travels exhibition continues at Armagh Robinson Library right through to the end of the year, so there's no rush to catch that one. Over at The Market Place Theatre, In the Heart of the Country takes to the stage on Friday 28 August.
Then, from the bank holiday weekend onward, things pick up considerably — here's what's coming.
Portadown Artisan Market returns to the town centre
Local artisan market, Armagh — illustrative photo by Brian, LivingABC
Local makers, food producers and independent traders will fill Magowan West Car Park on Saturday 29 August, as the Portadown Artisan Market comes back for another instalment. Running from 10am until 3pm, it's the perfect excuse for a Saturday morning browse — handmade crafts, artisan food and locally baked treats, with the chance to actually meet the people behind the stalls.
If you're heading in, make a morning of it — call into the surrounding shops and cafés too, and help spread a bit of trade around the wider town centre.
One last family blast at Armagh Planetarium before the holidays end
Armagh Observatory and Planetarium is throwing a Summer Last Blast Off Family Fun Weekend on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 August — a fitting send-off for the school holidays. Expect face painting, craft activities, rocket-building and family entertainment, plus the usual pull of the dome shows and exhibitions. Food stalls will be on hand too, so there's no need to rush off for lunch.
Illustrative image — AI-generated
Exhibition tickets can be bought on the door, but it's worth booking dome-show tickets online ahead of time if you don't want to be disappointed.
ERA Music Festival brings two nights of live music to Shambles Yard
Music fans have a proper bank holiday treat in store, with the ERA Music Festival landing at Shambles Yard, Armagh across Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 August.
Saturday runs 4pm–10pm and leans into dance and Ibiza classics, with Lovely Laura, Ben Santiago and house duo K-Klass all on the bill. Sunday shifts gear from 4pm–9pm, with the Whistlin' Donkeys bringing their Irish folk energy and singer-songwriter Allie Sherlock also taking to the stage.
Two very different nights, so take your pick — or go for both. Tickets are required, so check availability before you make plans.
ERA Music Festival, Shambles Yard, Armagh. Image courtesy of Visit Armagh
Sundown Market lights up Solitude Park in Banbridge
As part of the wider Armagh Food and Cider Weekend, Banbridge's Solitude Park hosts the Sundown Market on Saturday 5 September, running from 3pm until 9pm. Street food, local drinks and independent traders will fill the park, with names including The Vault Pizzas, Ballydown Milk, Rhiannon's Cakes and Bakes, Rosemount Cottage Kitchen and The Sweet Life by Lauren all confirmed.
There's live music running throughout, with sets from Yvanna Wong, Grace and Tim Napier, The Dukes, Reillys and Whiskey Before Breakfast — plenty of reason to make an evening of it and explore the town centre either side.
Culture in the Park goes three days for the first time
The borough's best-loved cultural celebration is stepping up in a big way this year. Culture in the Park will run across Friday 11 to Sunday 13 September, spreading out over Armagh, Lurgan and Banbridge for the first time.
Things kick off on Friday 11 September at The Market Place Theatre, Armagh, with a heritage and language workshop from 6pm–9pm. The main event follows on Saturday 12 September in Lurgan Park, from 1pm–5pm — expect live performances, cultural dance, an artisan market, cooking demonstrations and activities for all ages, all completely free. The weekend rounds off on Sunday 13 September at Banbridge Old Town Hall with cultural crafts and family activities (timings to be confirmed).
A run of free pre-festival workshops — Bollywood dancing, Thai cookery, Chinese brush painting — is also taking place at venues across the borough in the lead-up, so it's worth booking ahead if any of those catch your eye.
Illustrative image — AI-generated
Culture in the Park expands to three days across Armagh, Lurgan and Banbridge
Meet an Astronomer — Thu 27 Aug, 12pm–2pm, Armagh Observatory and Planetarium (final one before term)
Portadown Artisan Market — Sat 29 Aug, 10am–3pm, Magowan West Car Park, Portadown
Summer Last Blast Off Family Fun Weekend — Sat 29–Sun 30 Aug, Armagh Observatory and Planetarium
ERA Music Festival — Sat 29 Aug 4pm–10pm & Sun 30 Aug 4pm–9pm, Shambles Yard, Armagh — tickets required
Sundown Market — Sat 5 Sept, 3pm–9pm, Solitude Park, Banbridge
Culture in the Park — Fri 11–Sun 13 Sept, Armagh / Lurgan Park / Banbridge Old Town Hall — free (main event)
Know about another event happening in Armagh, Banbridge, Craigavon, Portadown, Lurgan or one of our local towns and villages? Let LivingABC know and help us share what's happening across the community.
By Brian, LivingABC
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