Here are five fab events and activities that are happening from Friday to Sunday, April 1-3.
1. The Braid Theatre in Ballymena will welcome Neil Delamere: Liminal on stage on Friday, April 1. Star of BBC’s The Blame Game, Fighting Talk and the Newsquiz, Neil Delamere hits the road again with his riotous new stand-up show, Liminal, on stage at 8pm - doors open 7.30pm. Tickets https://thebraid.ticketsolve.com/shows
2. Oriel Gallery in Antrim Castle Gardens is the setting for Antrim Art Club’s recently opened 70th anniversary exhibition of paintings which will run to April 24 and is open to the public from 9-5pm. Antrim Art Club is long established and respected throughout the Antrim community and is a fun, diverse group of artists aged 18. After viewing their fine work, why not take a walk around the stunning Castle Gardens which are open to the public.
3. If music is more your thing then Theatre at the Mill, Newtownabbey, have a treat in store with ‘Tonight’s the Night’ Rod Stewart Tribute Show
on Friday, April 1, from 7.45-10pm. Adm: £18.00 & £16.00 (Concession). Tonight’s the Night have been wowing audiences far and wide with its seven-piece live, full production show. A two hour roller coaster of Rod Stewart’s greatest songs this is rapidly becoming one of the most sought after tribute shows. For information visit https://theatreatthemill.com
4. The Coach Bar in Ballymena will be the venue for a Save or Shave Fundraiser on Saturday, April 2, with all proceeds going to the Community Rescue Service. The event, being presented by DJ Ray entertainments in association with the Coach Bar, will include a Pool and Darts Competition at 1pm, a Karaoke/Disco with DJ. BB and curry lunch from 2-5pm, a raffle, pitch and toss and save or shave from 6-8pm and a disco from 8-late.
Everyone is welcome. Donations can also be made online at https://totalgiving.co.uk/mypage/djrayshaveorsave or @The Coach Bar, Ballymena
5. An Artists Lockdown Diary: Exhibition opens from Friday, April 1 and will run until April 29 at the Flax Gallery, Theatre at the Mill. Admission is free. Monday to Friday from 10am. The artwork in the exhibition are based on the Visual COVID-Lockdown Diary of artist Christopher Banahan, made during the 2020/21 lockdowns as a response to being a recipient of the Art Council’s COVID crises Artists Response Award. The exhibition addresses themes of loneliness with the effects of social isolation during the lockdowns, particularly for the elderly in rural communities. The exhibition also expresses the beauty of rural settings and being fortunate enough to be surrounded by such ‘imprisoned splendour’ particularly with the fine weather of the first lockdown.
1. See some cinema classics in Ballycastle
Yarn, Ballycastle's new creative events space transforms into an indie cinema with a weekend-long Summer Season of Film organised by Ballycastle Film Club. This weekend includes 'Dogman' and Spike Lee's 'Do The Right Thing' on Saturday, July 26, with Hitchcock's 'Rear Window' on Sunday, July 27. For more information, see https://www.yarnballycastle.com/whats-on Photo: Devon Breen from Pixabay
2. Enjoy a cuppa at the Old Church Centre, Cushendun
Visitors can enjoy a selection of delicious home-baked treats served in the cosy surroundings of the Old Church Centre at its Pop Up Tea Room, running on Sunday, July 27 from 11am-4pm. Photo: dungthuyvunguyen from Pixabay
3. Have fun at the seaside in Whitehead
Taking place over two weeks from July 26 – August 9, Whitehead Summer Festival kicks off with 'Waterfest' at County Antrim Yacht Club on Saturday July 26 including stand up paddle boards, a kayak race, a barbecue and refreshments. There's also Whitehead History Day from 2pm - 5pm at the Community Centre Main Hall; Islandmagee Camera Club's competition launch, and the Teddy Bears’ Picnic, 11.30am - 12.30pm in Whitehead Library. Activities on Sunday, July 27 at the Promenade include the Coastal Rowers Regatta, the CWA Brass Silver Band concert and a guided walking tour with Steve Diamond. For full details on the festival programme, visit https://whitehead-ni.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2025-Summer-Festival-Programme-Updated-2-1.pdf Photo: Helena McManus
4. Learn more about Carrickfergus before the Castle
Carrickfergus Museum launches its new summer exhibition, Carrickfergus Before the Castle: Early Medieval Ireland (c. 400–1169 AD) on Thursday, July 24 at 7pm. This stunning new display invites visitors to travel back in time and discover life in Carrickfergus long before the iconic castle stood by the lough. The exhibition also launches a summer events programme running until September 27 with the chance to try everything from Irish calligraphy to Early Medieval food and drink. Photo: Mid and East Antrim Borough Council