NEWS

A new Christmas lights display is bringing festive warmth, faith and community spirit to Broughshane this winter, as Tim’s Lights makes its debut on Caherty Hill in support of Marie Curie Northern Ireland. The charity display, which also runs in Tandragee, is rooted in a deeply personal mission — to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas while raising vital funds for end-of-life care across Northern Ireland. Since first switching on in 2014, Tim’s Lights has raised an impres

(L-R) Mo Gilligan, Davina McCall, Jole Dommett, Maya Jama and Jonathan Ross. The Masked Singer is set to bring festive fun to viewers this Boxing Day with a glittering Christmas Special, as four famous faces take to the stage disguised in elaborate seasonal costumes. Airing at 7.30pm on Boxing Day on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player, the one-off special promises music, mystery and seasonal spectacle as celebrities perform undercover while the judging panel attempts to decipher

(L-R) – Adam Keefe, Head Coach, Belfast Giants; and Steve Thornton, Sports Director, The Odyssey Trust with the 2026 3ICE World Cup logo outside The SSE Arena, Belfast. The SSE Arena, Belfast is set to take centre stage on the global ice hockey calendar after being confirmed as the host venue for the inaugural 3ICE World Cup, scheduled to take place on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 July 2026. The announcement, made by The Odyssey Trust, marks a major sporting milestone for Northern

SuperValu and Centra Marketing Manager Jennifer Whyte with Santa Claws which will visit Fairhill Shopping Centre, Ballymena this week. Shoppers in Ballymena are set for a festive treat this Christmas as SuperValu and Centra bring their nostalgic ‘Santa Claws’ arcade experience to Fairhill Shopping Centre, offering the chance to win instant prizes — and even a dream family trip to New York. On Thursday 18th December , the popular retail brands will host a festive community eve

Waterstone’s Ballymena has released its latest Top 10 bestselling books, with festive favourites, cookery titles and family-friendly reads proving especially popular as Christmas approaches. From Mary Berry’s celebratory new release to children’s classics and record-breaking annuals, the list reflects a wide range of tastes among local shoppers seeking thoughtful Christmas gifts. This Week’s Top 10 Bestselling Books – With Descriptions 1. Mary 90 — Mary Berry A celebratory co

“Here is your host, Patrick Kielty!” The festive season is officially underway as The Late Late Show Christmas Special welcomes a host of major stars — including Hollywood icon Brendan Fraser — for a packed night of entertainment with Patrick Kielty. Irish golfing champion Shane Lowry leads the line-up after an outstanding year on the course, having helped secure Team Europe’s dramatic Ryder Cup victory and recently thrilling crowds at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai

Ballymena is gearing up for a major festive celebration this Saturday, 13 December, as Santa’s Spectacular Festive Cavalcade returns for its third year—complete with hundreds of illuminated vehicles, charity fundraising, and the hugely popular Festive Minions bringing lively chaos to the town centre earlier in the day. The much anticipated Christmas convoy, which always attracts visitors from near and far, has rapidly become one of Ballymena’s standout seasonal events. Host

RENDR, the festival widely regarded as the creative meet-up of the year, has confirmed its return to Belfast in 2026 with an all-star line-up featuring some of the biggest names in film, television, gaming, animation and immersive tech. Taking place from 12–13 February at Portview Trade Centre in East Belfast , the two-day event promises “genre-busting technology and creative inspiration” supported by Northern Ireland Screen, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Belfast Cit

As the festive season gets into full swing, Dale Farm has announced its continued support for Northern Ireland’s most celebrated Christmas tradition, renewing its sponsorship of the Grand Opera House pantomime for the ninth consecutive year. The dairy cooperative’s long-running partnership with the iconic Belfast theatre underlines its ongoing commitment to championing the region’s arts sector, while also encouraging family enjoyment and festive togetherness. This year’s prod

Christmas at Castke Ward As winter settles in and festive lights begin to glow across Northern Ireland, the National Trust has announced a packed programme of Christmas events for 2024, inviting families, couples and day-trippers to step into a season of heritage, atmosphere and celebration. From twinkling gardens and historic mansions dressed for Christmases gone by, to festive markets and crisp winter walks, the charity says there is “hundreds of special moments” waiting ac

Waterstone’s Ballymena has released its latest Top 10 bestselling books, offering a rich mix of new fiction, humour, festive favourites and anticipated annuals. As Christmas shopping season gathers pace, local readers are turning to a wide variety of titles — from Northern Irish literature to children’s blockbusters and high-profile thrillers. This Week’s Top 10 Bestselling Books 1. The Benefactors — Wendy Erskine A sharply observed and darkly funny portrait of contemporary N

Antrim Castle Gardens successfully launched its inaugural "Evening of Inclusive Enchantment" this week, offering a serene and supportive environment for adults and children with additional needs to experience the popular festive event, the Enchanted Winter Garden. The historic gardens, located in Antrim, Northern Ireland, sparkled on Thursday, 4th December, as they welcomed families for a special night designed to ensure the magic of Christmas was accessible to all. The initi

Images: Andres Poveda Photography RTÉ has confirmed one of the most eagerly awaited announcements of the festive season: the theme for The Late Late Toy Show 2025 will be The Grinch. Inspired by Dr Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas, tonight’s show promises a heartwarming blend of mischief, magic and festive joy, marking the culmination of a week of Christmas programming reveals. Families tuning in tonight will be transported to Who-ville, where the Toy Show set has been t

WJ O’Donnell & Sons Funeral Directors have announced a special community event, “The Meaning of Christmas”, which will take place on Sunday 7th December 2025 at 7pm in their Ballymena funeral home (41–43 Mount Street, BT43 6BW). The gathering, open to everyone in the community, is intended to provide a space of peace, reflection, and comfort for anyone who finds the festive season difficult after the loss of a loved one. All voluntary proceeds will be donated to Cruse Berea

Christmas on Castle Street is set to make a joyful return to Ballymena Elim on Saturday 6 December 2025 , offering a warm and welcoming festive celebration for families across the borough. Running from 12 noon to 5pm , the much-loved community event promises a packed programme of activities — and best of all, every attraction is completely free. Pastor Pip Kerr said the church was “delighted to once again open our doors to the community for what we truly believe is the mos

Coca-Cola Ireland has launched its 2025 Designated Driver campaign, celebrating an impressive 17 years of encouraging responsible choices and supporting the hospitality sector during the festive period. The initiative, which launched yesterday on 1 December, once again offers two complimentary Coca-Cola soft drinks — including Coca-Cola Zero Sugar and Coca-Cola Original Taste — to anyone acting as the designated driver at participating venues across the island of Ireland. The

Tom Wiggins, CEO Ballymena Chamber of Commerce, and (L-R) Lauren Kelso from Lauren Kelso Illustrator, Debbie Chestnutt (Good Morning, Ballymena), and Lucinda Graham (Galgorm Melts). The Ballymena Chamber of Commerce is set to launch its first-ever Artisan Christmas Fair next month, offering a festive celebration of local craftsmanship, community spirit, and seasonal entertainment. The free-entry event will take place this coming weekend on Saturday 6 December 2025, from 11am

Waterstone’s Ballymena has released its latest Top 10 bestselling books, showcasing a strong mix of children’s favourites, festive reads, high-profile memoirs and brand-new fiction — all proving popular with local shoppers in the run-up to Christmas. Leading the list is Jeff Kinney’s newest instalment of the global sensation Diary of a Wimpy Kid, while titles by Charlie Mackesy, Dan Brown, Wendy Erskine and Jeremy Clarkson also feature prominently in a varied selection appeal

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council is set to bring new festive magic to the borough this December with the launch of the first-ever Carrickfergus Christmas Twinkle Trail. The free family-friendly attraction will run at Shaftesbury Park from Sunday 7 to Thursday 11 December, offering visitors a gentle, glowing Christmas walk filled with illuminated features. Designed especially for young families, the Twinkle Trail will transform the park into a sparkling seasonal experience,

Music lovers across Ballymena are being invited as two of the town’s most cherished musical groups prepare to take to the stage together for a special joint concert this weekend. The Ballymena Young Conquerors Concert Flute Band, the town’s longest surviving musical ensemble with roots stretching back to 1886, will unite with the renowned Seven Towers Male Voice Choir, who celebrated their centenary in 2024. The collaboration promises an uplifting and memorable evening of mus