Family exploring the house dressed for Christmas at Mount Stewart — Christmas at Mount Stewart | © National Trust Images/Annapurna Mellor

Christmas in Northern Ireland

Explore twinkling Christmas markets, indulge in festive family activities and visit our historic houses dressed in all the trimmings. Whether you're seeking adventure or a cosy retreat, National Trust has something for everyone this Christmas season. Plan your festive day out in Northern Ireland and discover exciting events and experiences for the whole family.

Christmas at Castle Ward

This festive season, Castle Ward, visit the mansion house and estate for a taste of luxury, over-indulging and a grand party as the house prepares for Christmastide. The Georgians didn't celebrate Christmas as we know it. For them it wasn't about children or Santa - it was about partying! Excess, luxury items and feasting was the order of the day - for 12 days! We'll be indulging in a taste of Georgian excess with our mansion house decorated for the Christmas season. See the dining table laid for a feast and the kitchens busy preparing.

Father and Daughter at Castle Ward's Georgian Christmastide

Christmas at The Argory

Admire The Argory dressed for an 1800s Christmas. Trees, trinkets and garlands will decorate the rooms and the dining room will be filled with festive fare. Experience what life was like for the MacGeough Bond family and their servants as they prepare for the festive season.

Christmas at Rowallane Garden

Join us over the winter season for a homemade Christmas at Rowallane Garden. Look out for alternative Christmas trees on a family-friendly trail through the garden, learn how to make your own decorations, and enjoy a variety of fun festive activities.

Rowallane Garden, County Down, in winter snow

Christmas at Mount Stewart

This winter add a sprinkle of seasonal magic with a visit to Mount Stewart. This Christmas season, join us for a festive children's trail, seasonal storytelling, family activities in the big House, wellness and gift making workshops, twinkly light and Christmassy musical performances.

Christmas on the North Coast

This winter add a sprinkle of seasonal magic to your days out with a visit to the North Coast. This holiday season, you're invited to join us at one of our festive events.

The Argory Twilight Market

It's not Christmas without a visit to The Argory. Experience the brand-new Twilight Market on Friday 5 December and admire the house all a glow dressed for Christmas. This enchanting evening is the perfect place to shop local and support talented stallholders from the community. Wander through a charming array of market stalls, each brimming with beautifully handcrafted gifts, artisan foods, and festive treats.

Stately room decorated for Christmas, with tall Christmas tree surrounded by presents

The Argory Christmas Fair

The traditional Christmas Fair will take place on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 December and the courtyard will be brimming with local stalls, and the sound of the silver band will bring the festive spirt alive. Trees, trinkets, and garlands will decorate the rooms of the house, and you can enjoy festive traditional entertainment too! Visit the festive food quarter for local delights and tasty treats. See Christmas through the eyes of a child in the Victorian era and enjoy traditions of the festive period. Families will also have the chance to meet Santa and his elves in the grotto.

Rowallane Garden Yuletide Market

Experience the magic of the season at Rowallane Garden with a variety of festive events perfect for all ages. The Yuletide Market, running from 13-14 December, is a highlight, offering local crafts, seasonal scents, and live choir performances. Don’t miss the chance to meet Santa as he strolls through the gardens!

Santa at Rowallane Garden for Christmas celebrations

Christmas at Mount Stewart

This winter add a sprinkle of seasonal magic with a visit to Mount Stewart. This Christmas season, join us for a festive children's trail, seasonal storytelling, family activities in the big House, wellness and gift making workshops, twinkly light and Christmassy musical performances.

Christmas at Castle Ward

We'll be indulging in a taste of Georgian excess with our mansion house decorated for the Christmas season. See the dining table laid for a feast and the kitchens busy preparing.

Christmas at The Argory

Admire The Argory dressed for an 1800s Christmas. Trees, trinkets and garlands will decorate the rooms and the dining room will be filled with festive fare. Experience what life was like for the MacGeough Bond family and their servants as they prepare for the festive season.

Mount Stewart Festive Family Trail

Wrap up warm and embark on a magical winter adventure at Mount Stewart this winter with our festive family trail. Dander around the lake walk from 28 November until 4 January.

Family exploring Mount Stewart in Winter

Rowallane Christmas Trail

Have you written a letter to Santa? Come and post it with us to make sure your Christmas wishes make their way to the North Pole in time for the big day. Follow the arrows across the garden and solve clues along the way to work out Santa’s postcode. This festive fun filled walk will lead you to our Christmas Postbox hidden somewhere in the garden. Wrap up warm and make some magic memories with us.

Children posting their letters to Father Christmas in the Conservatory at Christmas at Rowallane Garden, County Down

All Festive Events

Macramé Christmas Decoration making at Rowallane Garden

Kick off the festive season on 22 November with Memory Makers, by learning how to make your own Macramé Festive Decorations in the beautiful surroundings of Rowallane Garden.

Christmas Woodcarving Workshop at Hezlett House

Have you ever appreciated the beauty and flowing lines of a woodcarving and thought this is something you would like to try? This Introduction to Woodcarving class on 22 November with Stephen Ryan from Green Woodwork Ireland will teach you the skills needed to produce a relief woodcarving of your own to take home and enjoy.

Christmas Wreath Making at Hezlett House

Get in the festive mood and join our talented team of volunteers on 26 and 28 November, as they show you how to create a beautiful, unique Christmas wreath for your front door, using fresh foliage and berries gathered from Downhill Demesne. Workshops will take place at Hezlett House.

A Christmas wreath making workshop at Knole, Kent

Willow Weaving at Castle Coole

Unleash your creativity with the heritage craft of willow weaving at a series of hands-on workshops at Castle Coole on 29 November and 6 December. Come along and learn the traditional craft of willow weaving in the magnificent surroundings of Castle Coole in a cosy room in The Grand Yard and create a piece of your own to take home.

A close up photo of someone's hands modelling a willow sculpture

Once Upon A Crafty Christmas at Divis and Black Mountain

Come along for a festive morning of imagination and making for kids with Wee Bookworms on 30 November. Join Madeline for a morning of seasonal storytelling and Christmas craft making to get you into the festive spirit.

Two girls are working at a table under a gazebo, one is moulding clay whilst the other holds a pipe cleaner.

Festive Wreath Making at Mount Stewart

Get creative in the run up to Christmas and join us for our Festive Wreath Making workshop on 6 or 11 December. Using natural, dried materials foraged from the gardens at Mount Stewart, along with some additional Christmas scents and embellishments, make something beautiful and personal for your home.