Santa parades, fireworks and festive fairs: Christmas dates across Mid and East Antrim
Santa Claus helps Mayor Thomas Gordon launch Christmas in Mid and East Antrim
Monday 09 November 2026
Ballymena will begin Mid and East Antrim’s Christmas celebrations this Saturday, with an afternoon of family entertainment followed by a Santa parade and the town’s lights switch-on at 6.30pm.
The event on 14 November opens a programme of five switch-on celebrations, with Larne, Carrickfergus, Whitehead and Greenisland following over the next three weeks.
Quiet Time sensory sessions are planned in Ballymena, Larne and Carrickfergus, while the wider programme includes artisan shopping, carol services and two weather-dependent fireworks displays.
Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Thomas Gordon, said:
“It is always wonderful to see our towns and villages unite in the spirit of Christmas, to celebrate as a community and enjoy the packed programme of events on offer.
“Our switch on events make for glittering occasions, but they are only the start of it, with festive pantos and concerts, artisan markets and much more to enjoy.”
Ballymena celebrations begin this Saturday
Entertainment will run from 2pm to 7pm at the Harmony Hub and around the town centre, with the event delivered by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council in partnership with Ballymena BID.
DJ Mark Ritchie will play Christmas music from 2pm, before Downtown Radio’s Kirstie McMurray takes over at 4pm with competitions and giveaways. Xeblam and Ballymena Chamber Orchestra will perform on the Harmony Hub stage.
Wellington Court will host festive characters, face painting and a petting farm.
A Quiet Time session with sensory play will run from 3pm to 4pm.
Santa parade route through Ballymena
Santa’s parade will leave Wellington Street at 6pm, with Father Christmas travelling in the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang car, accompanied by Cullybackey Pipe Band and local primary schoolchildren.
It will travel along Ballymoney Street, William Street and Broughshane Street, stopping at the Harmony Hub at 6.30pm for Santa and Mayor Alderman Thomas Gordon to switch on the Christmas lights.
The parade will then continue along Church Street and Bryan Street before returning to the Tower Centre, which is supporting the event.
Larne lights up on Friday 20 November
Larne’s main celebrations will take place at Broadway from 5pm to 8pm, with live music and festive walkabout performers.
Before the main programme, a Quiet Time sensory play session will run from 4pm to 5pm in the new Pop-Up Park.
Santa will lead a parade from Larne Market Yard at 7pm, joined by Ballyduff Silver Band, festive floats, Christmas characters and local primary schools.
The route takes in Station Road, Bridge Street and Main Street before reaching Broadway for the lights switch-on at 7.30pm.
Carrickfergus market and fireworks
Carrickfergus will celebrate on Saturday 21 November, beginning with an artisan market at the Town Hall and Civic Centre from 1pm. Stalls will offer baked goods, jewellery, candles, wax melts and festive crafts.
The civic carol service will take place at St Nicholas’ Church from 2pm to 3pm. Quiet Time sensory play is also planned at High Street during that hour.
The main entertainment runs from 3pm to 5.30pm, with live music, performances, small funfair rides, face painting and festive characters.
Santa’s parade will set off at 4.50pm, travelling along Antrim Street, High Street, Market Place and West Street, with the lights switch-on at 5pm before returning to Antrim Street. Fireworks from Fisherman’s Quay are scheduled for around 5.20pm, weather permitting.
Whitehead Victorian Street Fair returns
Whitehead Community Association’s Victorian Street Fair will bring a day of festivities to the town centre on Saturday 28 November, running from noon to 6pm.
The programme includes local acts on a live music stage, steam train rides, fairground rides, talks, storytelling and Santa’s grotto.
A civic carol service at Whitehead Presbyterian Church begins at 4.30pm, followed by the Christmas lights switch-on at 5.30pm.
Weather permitting, a fireworks display along the promenade will bring the celebrations to a close at 5.50pm.
Greenisland carols and Christmas lights
Greenisland’s celebration will take place at Greenisland Community Centre on Thursday 3 December.
A civic carol service begins at 7pm, including carols from Silverstream Primary School. Santa and the Mayor will switch on the lights at 8pm.
The council has also highlighted the return of the Twinkle Trail at Shaftesbury Park in Carrickfergus in December.
Other festive favourites include artisan markets and Christmas pantomimes and concerts at the Braid in Ballymena.
Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Thomas Gordon, said:
“We hope everyone can come together to make some magical moments across our Borough this Christmas.”
Christmas events at a glance
• Saturday 14 November — Ballymena: Harmony Hub and town centre, 2pm–7pm. Quiet Time sensory play, 3pm–4pm. Parade leaves Wellington Street at 6pm; lights switch-on at the Harmony Hub, 6.30pm.
• Friday 20 November — Larne: Quiet Time at the Pop-Up Park, 4pm–5pm; main entertainment at Broadway, 5pm–8pm. Parade leaves Larne Market Yard at 7pm; lights switch-on at Broadway, 7.30pm.
• Saturday 21 November — Carrickfergus: Artisan market at the Town Hall and Civic Centre from 1pm. St Nicholas’ Church carol service and High Street Quiet Time, 2pm–3pm. Main entertainment, 3pm–5.30pm; parade, 4.50pm; lights switch-on, 5pm; fireworks from Fisherman’s Quay around 5.20pm, weather permitting.
• Saturday 28 November — Whitehead: Victorian Street Fair in the town centre, noon–6pm. Carol service at Whitehead Presbyterian Church, 4.30pm; lights switch-on, 5.30pm; promenade fireworks, 5.50pm, weather permitting.
• Thursday 3 December — Greenisland: Civic carol service at Greenisland Community Centre, 7pm; lights switch-on with Santa and the Mayor, 8pm.
