NEWS

A packed and varied programme of events has been unveiled by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council to celebrate Ulster-Scots Leid (Language) Week 2025, taking place from 24 to 28 November. The week-long celebration — supported by the Ulster-Scots Agency — will see communities across Ballycarry, Ballymena, Carrickfergus, Cullybackey, Larne and Whitehead come together to honour the borough’s linguistic and cultural heritage through music, poetry, film, storytelling and discussion

(L-R) Lara Harding (aged 9), Mrs Claus, Belfast Lord Mayor Councillor Tracy Kelly, Santa Claus and Rosa Harding (aged 7) got together to promote the annual lights switch-on at Belfast City Hall. Belfast is gearing up for a “Wicked” start to the festive season with the city’s annual Christmas lights switch-on at Belfast City Hall on Saturday 15 November. The much-anticipated event will be hosted by Cool FM presenters Pete Snodden, Rebecca McKinney and Paulo Ross, alongside Bel

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has announced the cancellation of its popular annual ‘Hallowena’ event at Ballymena’s People’s Park due to forecasted high winds and heavy rain. The decision was made following Met Office warnings of gusts of up to 56mph and persistent downpours on Thursday 30 October, which would make conditions unsafe for both attendees and council staff. A Council spokesperson said the difficult decision was based on public safety concerns: “With such h

Ballymena’s business community turned out in record numbers on Thursday night for the 2025 Ballymena Business Excellence Awards, marking a landmark year for the prestigious event. More than 480 guests packed into the Tullyglass House Hotel for the 22nd annual gala, which saw a record number of entries — including 37 businesses entering for the first time. Organised by the Ballymena Area Chamber of Commerce and Industry , the awards were once again sponsored by Mid and East An

Olivia and her cousin who made and sold bracelets to raise funds to support The Children’s Cancer Unit Charity through The Spooky Gardens Ballymena Young fundraiser Olivia Rose Mark inspires visitors as Halloween attraction returns to raise funds for vital children’s charity A young Ballymena girl has captured hearts this Halloween after raising £280 for The Children’s Cancer Unit Charity through her own handmade creations. Olivia Rose Mark, who previously donated money she r

A great range of eerie displays at The Spooky Gardens Ballymena The much-loved Halloween attraction at Inishowen Park promises family fun while raising vital funds for a worthy cause The Spooky Gardens in Ballymena are back for their third hauntingly popular year — bringing thrills, chills, and charity together this Halloween season. Located at Inishowen Park, off the Cullybackey Road , the Halloween-themed garden officially opened its gates on Monday 13 October and will run

From Jeff Kinney’s laugh-out-loud Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Partypooper to Mary Berry’s heartwarming Mary 90, Waterstone’s Ballymena has revealed this week’s Top 10 bestselling books, alongside some fantastic half-price offers, family storytime fun, and the arrival of a brand-new novel from a popular local author. This Week’s Top 10 Bestsellers There’s no stopping Jeff Kinney , whose latest instalment Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Partypooper claims the number one spot this week. Greg H

Image: Ken Cox The adrenaline-fuelled Knock Club Beach Race is making a triumphant return to Portrush’s East Strand in October 2025, promising an unforgettable weekend of high-speed motorsport on Northern Ireland’s stunning North Coast. Taking place on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th October 2025 , the Knock Ramore Beach Race Portrush will feature two action-packed days of competition, with racing scheduled from 11:00 to 15:00 each day. Spectators are invited to attend free of

Australian pop-rock quartet 5 Seconds of Summer (5SOS) have confirmed their highly anticipated return to Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland as part of their upcoming Everybody’s A Star! World Tour. The band will play the SSE Belfast Arena in Belfast on 26 March 2026, followed by the 3Arena in Dublin on 27 March 2026. Tickets will go on sale at 10 am on Friday 31 October. The tour announcement comes amid the band entering a new chapter with their sixth studio album,.

Dogs Trust Ballymena Rehoming Centre Dog lovers are in for a treat this spooky season as Dogs Trust Ballymena hosts a special ‘Howl-oween Experience Day’ on Saturday 25th October. The event, running from 10am to 12pm, offers visitors a rare behind-the-scenes look at life inside the charity’s rehoming centre — home to around 70 dogs currently being cared for by the Ballymena team and its dedicated volunteer foster carers. Tickets are free and can be booked via Eventbrite , but

Stephen Walker’s latest book David Trimble: Peacemaker, and pictured are Stephen Walker (right) and former BBC colleague Mark Devenport Acclaimed Ballymena author Stephen Walker is set to launch his highly praised new biography, David Trimble: Peacemaker , at the Old Courthouse Theatre in Antrim on Thursday 30 October at 7.30pm. The event will see Walker joined on stage by his former BBC colleague Mark Devenport , as the pair discuss the life and political legacy of Norther

Children dressed up for Halloween can enjoy a free meal at all 205 Asda Cafés nationwide on 31 October – with no adult spend required. This Halloween, families across the UK can look forward to a treat that won’t scare their wallets. On Friday 31 October, Asda is inviting children in fancy dress to eat for free in any of its 205 cafés nationwide, as part of its popular Kids Eat for £1 initiative. The offer coincides with half-term week, providing much-needed relief for parent

Mid and East Antrim is gearing up for a spine-tingling celebration as Halloween approaches, with a packed programme of eerie entertainment and family-friendly fun across Ballymena, Carrickfergus and Larne . From haunted houses and ghost tours to pumpkin patches and spooky storytelling, the borough is promising something for everyone – whether you’re chasing chills or simply after a night of frightful fun. “Mid and East Antrim is your one-stop-shop for all things Halloween,”

From Stephen Walker’s acclaimed political biography David Trimble: Peacemaker to Mary Berry’s inspiring new release Mary 90 , Waterstone’s Ballymena has revealed this week’s Top 10 bestselling books — alongside fresh half-price offers, family storytime fun, and details of its next book club event. This week’s Top 10 bestsellers Leading the chart this week is David Trimble: Peacemaker by Stephen Walker , a compelling and deeply researched biography of the late Northern Iris

Lidl Northern Ireland is helping families across the region enjoy a spooktacular Halloween this year — without haunting their household budgets — thanks to the launch of its frightfully fun and affordable range of costumes, decorations and trick-or-treat essentials now available in stores. With prices starting from as little as £0.99, Lidl’s latest Halloween collection promises to make the season more accessible and enjoyable for families everywhere, offering a wide variety o

AIB on Wellington Street, Ballymena AIB NI is set to visit Ballymena on Wednesday 12 November as part of its new ‘Let’s Talk Co-Ownership’ branch series – a fresh initiative designed to support homebuyers across Northern Ireland with practical, face-to-face guidance. Running throughout October and November, the series will see AIB’s local mortgage experts teaming up with Co-Ownership specialists to provide tailored advice and insight for anyone considering home ownership. The

Stephen Walker and Declan Lawn will be in the Braid Theatre, Ballymena on Tuesday 14 October at 7:30pm  Two Ballymena-born writers are set to explore the remarkable life and political legacy of Nobel Laureate David Trimble at a special evening event in the town’s Braid Theatre on Tuesday 14 October. The event will feature acclaimed author Stephen Walker, whose new biography David Trimble: Peacemaker has been described by The Irish Times as a “political page turner,” in conve

World-renowned hymn writers to bring festive joy to the SSE Arena this December Acclaimed hymn writers and performers Keith and Kristyn...

Emerald Park, Ireland’s only theme park and zoo, is gearing up for a frightfully fun Halloween season with the return of its popular...

From Charlie Mackesy’s moving new illustrated tale to Bob Mortimer’s latest comic mystery, Waterstone’s Ballymena has revealed its weekly...