NEWS

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

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford, (centre) cuts the ribbon at the President Arthur Homestead Interpretative Centre reopening with representatives from the Ulster Scots Agency and Arthur Cottage guides. Images: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has announced the much-anticipated reopening of the President Arthur Homestead Interpretative Centre in Cullybackey, following a significant refurbishment designed to enhance one of the

Escapes is set to close out the year with a nationwide cinematic treat, offering free preview screenings of Eternity, the new romantic fantasy from acclaimed director David Freyne, on Monday 1 and Tuesday 2 December. The film, distributed by A24, will officially be released in UK cinemas on Friday 5 December. The special previews — screening across more than 100 cinemas including Omniplex Antrim — form part of Escapes’ ongoing mission to make cinema accessible to all audience

The potential for locating a dog park at the Ecos Nature Park in Ballymena has been dismissed at a meeting of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council this week. The issue was raised through a public question submitted ahead of Monday evening’s meeting at The Braid in Ballymena. Responding, Interim Chief Executive Valerie Watts said: “After consideration of this question, it would be council’s view that Ecos is not a suitable location for a dog park for a number of reasons. “A key

Proudly brought to you by Ballymena BID (Business Improvement District) Ballymena Town Centre is gearing up for a magical festive season, unveiling a vibrant programme of family-friendly events, Christmas characters, charity activities and pop-up entertainment designed to bring joy and festive spirit to the heart of the town. With festive shopping, cosy cafés, vibrant bars and restaurants, and a full schedule of December activities, Ballymena is inviting visitors from near an

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council is set to usher in the festive season with a series of much-loved Christmas Artisan Markets, celebrating local creativity and offering residents and visitors the chance to enjoy seasonal shopping in the heart of their town centres. The markets—now a staple of the borough’s Christmas calendar—will feature an array of local producers showcasing artisan foods, festive bakes, handcrafted decorations and unique gifts. Designed to bring communiti

The former Woolworths store on Bridge Street, Ballymena Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has deferred a decision on the sale of the former Woolworths premises in Ballymena town centre. The property at 12–16 Bridge Street was discussed in a closed session at a council meeting last month. Councillors had been asked to approve placing the building on the market. The former chain store, which closed in 2008, sits opposite council headquarters at The Braid. Last year, the counc

Ryanair has announced it will add more than 4,900 extra seats to and from Belfast for Christmas week 2025, as the carrier prepares for a surge in festive travel demand. The airline – Europe’s largest by passenger numbers – confirmed on Tuesday (25 November) that it expects to carry over 26,000 passengers through Belfast Airport during the busy holiday period, helping people return home in time to celebrate with their families. The additional seats have been introduced in resp

Graduates of the Northern Ireland Hospitality School have doubled within the last year as support from the private sector also almost doubles. Pictured during the School’s graduation ceremony at Galgorm Resort are, from left, Djann Balmes, a former Bar Academy graduate who now manages the Conservatory and Gin Library at Galgorm Resort, Ashley Douglas, Northern Ireland Hospitality School Director of Operations and Brenda McGale, Britvic Ireland.  The Northern Ireland Hospitali

Jingle Fest returns to Emerald Park from November 21st, offering families the perfect festive day out from only €18.00. Emerald Park has announced the much-anticipated return of Jingle Fest for Christmas 2025, unveiling a festive transformation that will see the popular theme park sparkle with lights, seasonal attractions and family-friendly entertainment. Opening on Friday 21 November and running on selected dates until 23 December, the Christmas celebration promises a full

(L-R) Denise McVeigh from Mid and East Antrim Borough Council's Parks and Open Spaces team, PSNI Inspector Colin Ash, PCSP Chair Cllr Lauren Gray, PCSP Vice Chair Sharon Maxwell, and Local Neighbourhood PSNI Officer Julie McKeown. (Images: Steven McAuley) Women across Mid and East Antrim are being encouraged to take part in a special night-time personal safety walk in Larne this December, as part of a partnership initiative between the borough’s Policing and Community Safety

South Antrim MP Robin Swann South Antrim MP Robin Swann has urged Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins MLA to confirm when the long-awaited feasibility study on reopening the Antrim–Lisburn railway line — widely known as the Knockmore Line — will finally be released to the public. Mr Swann, who has championed the restoration of the line since first being elected to Westminster, said the continued lack of clarity around publication was causing frustration among residents and st

Giants Causeway, part of the Antrim Lava Group. (Image: Professor Stuart Gilfillan from our School of GeoSciences at the University of Edinburgh) Ancient volcanic rocks beneath County Antrim – the same basalt that forms the iconic columns of the Giant’s Causeway – could become a cornerstone of future climate action, with scientists revealing they could permanently store more carbon dioxide than any other site in the UK. A new study led by the University of Edinburgh has ident

Santa arriving in Ballymena last weekend Mid and East Antrim is set to sparkle this weekend as the festive season continues in full swing, with Larne and Carrickfergus preparing to burst into life with music, markets, parades and magical Christmas cheer at their annual Christmas Lights Switch-On celebrations. Both towns will host a wide range of family-friendly entertainment, live performances, festive characters and crafts – with the much-anticipated arrival of Santa adding

Good Boy Olly who can't contain his excitement to meet Santa Paws at Dogs Trust Ballymena's Christmas Fair Festive fun is on the way to County Antrim as Dogs Trust Ballymena prepares to host its much-loved Christmas Fair on Saturday 6 December, complete with a special appearance from the one and only Santa Paws. The annual event is a firm favourite with local supporters, and this year promises to be no exception as the team welcomes families, dog lovers and their four-legged

Ballymena is set to come alive with festive cheer as the much-loved Jingle All the Way campaign returns for 2025, with the Ballymena NI Hospice Support Group preparing to host its eagerly anticipated Jingle Day in aid of the Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice. Taking place on Saturday 6th December , from 10:00am to 3:30pm , the event promises a packed programme of family-friendly entertainment across Harmony Hub (the Bandstand) and Greenvale Street , bringing the communit

Dobbies’ Senior Plant Buyer, Claire Bishop, with Poinsettias. (Images: Stewart Attwood Photography) Dobbies’ Lisburn and Antrim stores are ushering in the festive season with the arrival of their highly anticipated annual delivery of poinsettias. The popular garden centre chain is expecting strong customer demand this year, particularly for the traditional red variety, as nostalgic Christmas décor trends continue to dominate. The delivery marks the start of a blooming festive

Waterstone’s Ballymena has revealed this week’s Top 10 bestselling books, alongside fantastic half-price offers, festive storytime fun, and the highly anticipated romantasy release Brimstone by Callie Hart. This Week’s Top 10 Bestsellers Exit Strategy – Lee Child & Andrew Child Jack Reacher is back in this high-octane thriller as he pursues a dangerous conspiracy with his trademark resourcefulness and grit. A gripping addition to the bestselling series. Always Remember – Char

Mural artists Friz (Marian Noone) and Gerry Norman with the new mural unveiled at the Telegraph Building in Donegall Street A vibrant new mural celebrating Belfast’s musical heritage has been unveiled on Donegall Street, marking four years since the city became a UNESCO City of Music – the only city in Ireland to hold the prestigious title. The large-scale artwork, commissioned by Belfast City Council, was created by acclaimed artists Friz (Marian Noone) and Gerry Norman. Str