DOWN
THE UPU Plough Fest is coming to Hillsborough's Plough Inn from Thursday August 24 to Saturday August 26. Aimed at keeping the spirit of the Hillsborough Oyster Festival alive, this festival is not to be missed by locals and foodies across the Britain and Ireland.
UPU Plough Fest will kick off on Thursday evening with a pop-up restaurant hosted by internationally renowned Brazilian chef, Andre Lima de Luca.
Foodies are expected to return to Hillsborough in droves to enjoy the best of barbecue cooking from the king of the fire pit.
ARMAGH
Learn about foraging for food and the wealth of foods available around the countryside this weekend. Take a walk around Navan Fort on Sunday August 27 and, under the guidance of the resident expert, collect food to bring to prepare for cooking.
Sample some fare made with foraged foods like berries, vegetables, apples and even nettles. This is a free drop in event from 11am to 3pm.
FERMANAGH
The Harvest 2017 Country Music Festival on August 26 and 27 in Ballinamallard will feature an exciting line up of Irish and International artists.
Get up close and personal to the songwriters behind the songs at the Harvest Cafe. Enjoy the full festival experience at dedicated dancing sessions a food village, market stalls, funfair, full bar facilities.
Camping options including Glamping, campervan facilities and family camping area are all on offer. The line-up for Enniskillen includes Miranda Lambert, Charley Pride, All Our Exes Live In Texas, Maddie & Tae, Nathan Carter, Kip Moore, Jake Carter and more!
TYRONE
The Emerald Garrison will be invading Mid Ulster this weekend with the hugely popular Invasion show at the Burnavon Theatre Cookstown. The show includes a line-up of fun interactive activities as well as an amazing interactive walk around exhibition of life size props and sets created by fans.
Meet and pose with over 30 costumed Star Wars characters including Storm Troopers, Jedi Knights, Bounty Hunters, Clone Troopers, Sith Lords, Wookies and many, many more.
Experience Force Training with the Emerald Garrison's Jedi instructors and have lots of fun learning the ways of the Force and battling the dark side.
Hourly shows will take place from 10am to 12pm and 2pm to 5pm on August 26 and 27.
DERRY
Discover the magic in Maghera Walled Garden on Saturday August 26 when a spellbinding collection of fairies and elves will take over and turn it into an enchanted garden
Join in the fun from 12pm to 4pm for a free Family Fun Day which will leave you wanting to become a real life fairy or elf. Whirl through the garden to find all the tiny fairies and elves hidden in the pathways in their homemade wooden houses.
Meet Strawberry the Summer Fairy on her huge magical throne, as she recites traditional tales underneath the Whispering Story Tree. Make your own fairy wand or elf hat with one of our own fairies or elves.
ANTRIM
Enjoy some free family fun and music performances at the Shoreline Festival, Loughshore Park Jordanstown, over the bank holiday weekend.
Usual favourites such as amusements, band concerts, live music, inflatables, outdoor activities, sensory play, street theatre shows and circus skills will be available on both days.
On Saturday night there will be fireworks and live music from Faith: The George Michael Experience and on Sunday evening, Oasis tribute band Roll With It will bring this 'supersonic' weekend to a close.
With the exception of the amusement rides, all events and activities are absolutely free. So be 'shore' not to miss out on two fantastic and affordable days of fun for all the family before school starts back.
BELFAST
Making Waves with Craft NI on board HMS Caroline will return on Saturday August 26 and Monday August 28. This is a drop-in session between 11am and 3pm with fun for all the family.
Join artist Julie Greenlee on board and learn how to weave using peg looms. Use a variety of wool and fabric strips to create 'waves' which will then be joined together and suspended from the ceiling creating colourful, gently flowing waves.
This is a free activity, however, normal entrance fees will apply. See Hmscaroline.co.uk for further information and to book your ticket now.
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