Summer 2010
Lots of events planned across the city
WITH the children off school and the recent spell of rain, parents across the city will be looking for ways to keep their kids entertained over the holidays.
Don’t panic, come rain, hail or sunshine, help is at hand at the Belfast Welcome Centre on Donegall Place which has compiled a range of activities and events taking place in Belfast for the whole family to enjoy.
“Belfast’s summer calendar is jam-packed with things to do,” said Julie Cochrane, Belfast Welcome Centre Manager. “There is everything from bat nights to canoeing and music in the parks. As well as this, there are a whole host of free attractions such as the Ulster Museum, City Hall, Belfast Castle and Botanic Gardens for families to explore, so no matter what type of weather we get there is always something to do in Belfast” she said.
“The Belfast Welcome Centre is open seven days a week and our opening hours have been extended over the summer months, so I’d encourage all parents to call in and make sure they are informed of all the great ways to keep the whole family entertained this summer,” she added.
Outdoor activities in Belfast this summer
Birds of Prey
Join the staff at Belfast Zoo from July 24 to 25 for a day of family fun and discovery. Explore the natural skills of the zoo’s birds of prey and meet birds such as falcons, hawks, buzzards, vultures, kestrels and barn owls in the education centre. As well as meeting the birds of prey you can discover the rest of the animals including bears, elephants, sea lions, monkeys, kangaroos and much more.
Damsels and Dragons
Join staff from the Lagan Valley Regional Park and the Ulster Wildlife Trust on July 31 for a venture through the wetlands and waterholes of the Lagan Meadows on the trail of the dragonfly. The Lagan Valley Regional Park covers acres of countryside with miles of tranquil and attractive walking routes.
Bat Nights
The ever-popular bat night events are back by popular demand at Colin Glen Forest Park during August 3 to 5. Equipped with a bat detector you will enjoy a different side of the forest as a guide takes visitors on the search for the elusive pipistrelle bat – the smallest bat species in Ireland. Participants are advised to bring a flashlight.
Canoeing and Kayaking
Try your hand at canoeing and kayaking at Shaw’s Bridge with the Mobile Team Adventure on August 7. It is a great way to explore the river and anyone can take part. All equipment is supplied and fully qualified guides will teach you the skills needed for this fun adventure sport.
Sunday Treats with the Festival of Fools
Waltz your way down to the Cathedral Quarter for the afternoon and watch some quality street theatre in Cotton Court, running each Sunday until August 29. Discover the exceptional raw talent of the Belfast Circus School with acts such as the Half Naked Chef, Seamus McJuggler and Jitterbug-aerobics. All the shows are free of charge and promise to be a great day of fun for the whole family.
Indoor activities in Belfast this summer
Tour a candy factory
Take a trip back in time and discover how to make handmade chocolates, candy and fudge. Aunt Sandra’s Candy Factory has been making candy delights since 1953 and continues to make an array of handmade sweets at its premises on the Castlereagh Road. Get crunching on Aunt Sandra’s delicious honeycomb and experience the smells and colours of old time candy making with a tour of the little factory – fun for the young and old.
August Féile
One of Europe’s internationally renowned community festivals will see a range of events taking place in various venues across West Belfast from July 30 – August 8. The festival will feature a mix of both local and international acts and will celebrate the positivity of West Belfast with concerts, debates, tours, exhibitions, drama and street theatre.
W5
With nearly 200 interactive exhibits in four exhibition areas, W5 provides fantastic fun for visitors of all ages. This summer there will be a whole host of events taking place to entertain including Paper Butterflies where children can assemble their very own butterfly to take home, Animal Mix & Match where you can create your own species by mixing and matching heads, bodies and legs, and Roboxits, the first in a series of collectible papercraft creations for children to assemble and take home.
Duck Tour
Take a tour of Belfast in the city’s latest tourist attraction – the Belfast Duck Tour. Departing from Victoria Square Shopping Mall, the tour offers a chance to explore the history of the City including Botanic Gardens, Belfast City Hall and the Titanic Shipyards. After exploring the city by land prepare yourself as the bus splashes into the River Lagan for a truly memorable sightseeing experience.
Ulster Museum
Discover history, art and science all under one roof at the Ulster Museum. The museum is a treasure house of the past and present with rich collections from Ireland to the South Pacific, visit one of Belfast’s most famous residents – the 7th century Egyptian mummy, Takabuti, who is the centrepiece of a display which explores life and death in ancient Egypt. Entrance to the museum is free and there are a number of events taking place throughout the summer.