What's Happening Next Week?

Welcome to issue #7 of the Antrim & Newtownabbey Post.

The weather has been great this week and looks set to continue into next week as well.

Temperatures are starting to rise which means I can turn off my heating and save some very valuable oil.

You might notice a few changes this week in the format with a new section added for local news & stories.

If you like the new format, hit reply and let me know!

Here’s some of the events you can find happening across Antrim & Newtownabbey next week:

Hope you enjoy!

~ Mark McKnight, Editor.

P.S. If you enjoy this newsletter, please forward to a friend.

Six local events will share £90,000 in Tourism Event grant funding for 2026/27.

All six applications scored highly enough to qualify, and the shortfall between the available budget of £75,280 and the total awarded was covered by moving £12,547 from the Community Festivals Fund.

The funded events are:

The committee received an update on SuperCup NI 2025, which was described as one of the most successful in the tournament's 42-year history.

More than 66,000 fans attended over 150 matches at 17 venues across three council areas.

In Antrim and Newtownabbey alone, the tournament generated an estimated £1.2 million in direct visitor spend and 1,500 bed nights.

The Council is providing £50,000 toward the 2026 tournament, which takes place from 26 to 31 July.

For the first time, the draw for both boys' and girls' competitions will be held at the Theatre at the Mill.

Want to discover more local news and council committee meeting highlight, click below.

These are a selection of the best events happening this week across the borough. If you would like to see a full list of events, click below.

Mindful Colouring | Ballyclare Library | 10:00 AM. Settle in for a calming session of meditative colouring with intricate patterns and designs, offering a gentle way for adults to unwind and ease the pressures of the week.

Rhythm and Rhyme | Glengormley Library | 10:30 AM. Parents and carers are invited to bring children aged 0 to 4 for a fun-filled session of songs, rhymes and stories that nurture early language skills; phone to book the Thursday before.

Italian Classes | Sentry Hill | 11:00 AM. This friendly 8-week course led by tutor Giada Mangiardi, is open to all levels and focuses on practical, everyday language skills like ordering in cafés and restaurants, building vocabulary, and speaking with confidence. Tickets £45.

Knit and Natter | Antrim Library | 2:00 PM. Bring along a current project or start something new at this free, friendly crafting session for adults who enjoy knitting, crochet, cross stitch or any other needlecraft.

Gardening Club | Randalstown Library | 3:30 PM. Share tips, swap stories and chat about all things growing over a cup of tea — a friendly monthly gathering for gardeners of all experience levels, for over 16s; booking is essential.

We Will Rock You | Theatre at The Mill | 7:45 PM. Fortwilliam Musical Society brings the Northern Ireland amateur premiere of the Queen and Ben Elton rock musical to the stage, packed with anthems and high-energy performances across five nights.

The Backbone Blues Band | Dunadry Hotel | 7:30 PM. The Backbone Blues Band, a live act with over 40 years on stage across Ireland, delivers a night of smooth, soulful blues and roots music in the hotel's atmospheric setting. Tickets £37.50 including buffet supper.

Lego Club | Glengormley Library | 10:00 AM. Children aged 4 to 10 can build, create and let their imaginations run wild at this weekly Lego session — booking is essential, so call the library to reserve a place.

Quiet Hour | Greenisland Library | 10:00 AM. Lights dimmed and noise kept to a minimum, this weekly hour offers a calm, peaceful space to browse books or enjoy mindful colouring in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.

Tea and Newspapers | Greystone Library | 10:00 AM. Pull up a chair, pour a cup, and catch up on local and national news with friendly company. A relaxed drop-in for adults to socialise over complimentary tea, coffee and biscuits.

Creative Writing Weekend Retreat | Sentry Hill | 10:00 AM. Whether you're a secret scribbler or already developing your writing practice, this weekend retreat at the historic Sentry Hill farmhouse offers an inspiring space to explore and grow your craft.

Tabletop Games Club | Antrim Library | 10:30 AM. Drop in for board games with fellow enthusiasts of all ages — no booking required, just ask at the desk and settle in for a fun and sociable Saturday morning.

Knit and Natter | Greystone Library | 10:30 AM. Bring your current project or start something new at this welcoming Saturday crafting group, where knitters, crocheters and stitchers share hints, swap patterns and enjoy good conversation.

Kids Craft Club | Greystone Library | 10:30 AM. Children can enjoy a Saturday morning of hands-on crafting alongside their new library books — no need to book, just come along and join in the fun until noon.

Storytime | Crumlin Library | 11:00 AM. Friendly library staff read popular books aloud to children aged 4 to 8, helping build a love of reading, spark imagination and improve listening skills — a drop-in session every Saturday.

Rhythm and Rhyme | Rathcoole Library | 11:00 AM. Songs, rhymes and stories for children aged 0 to 4 fill this free weekly session, giving little ones a brilliant foundation for language and literacy while parents and carers connect and chat.

Junior Reading Group | Randalstown Library | 11:15 AM. Young readers aged 9 to 11 gather on the last Saturday of each month to discuss a chosen book, meet new friends and discover new authors — the title is free to borrow from the library.

Dungeons and Dragons Group | Glengormley Library | 1:30 PM. Adults aged 18 and over are welcome to join this weekly D&D group for adventures, storytelling and a ragtag band of fellow players every Saturday afternoon at the library.

Activity Afternoon | Cloughfern Library | 2:00 PM. Families are warmly invited to this free weekly Saturday afternoon of fun activities at Cloughfern Library. No booking needed, just show up and enjoy whatever the session has in store.

Ranger Led Tour | Antrim Castle Gardens | 2:00 PM. A ranger guides you through 350-year-old gardens on an easy one-hour walk, sharing stories of the Massereene family dynasty. Tickets are £5.00; under-12s go free but require a ticket.

We Will Rock You | Theatre at The Mill | 2:00 PM. Catch the Northern Ireland amateur premiere of the Queen and Ben Elton musical — a high-energy matinee packed with iconic anthems and a talented local cast you won't want to miss.

Brian Kennedy | The Old Courthouse | 7:30 PM. Belfast-born multi-platinum artist Brian Kennedy brings his exceptional voice and decades of songwriting to this intimate 180-seat venue. Tickets are £26.50 — book now through The Old Courthouse Theatre.

We Will Rock You | Theatre at The Mill | 7:45 PM. The evening performance of this electrifying Northern Ireland amateur premiere delivers Queen and Ben Elton's classic story of rebellion, love and freedom through a cast of talented local performers.

Roller Skating Disco | Antrim Forum Leisure Centre | 1:00 PM. Lace up and take to the floor at Kelly's Mobile Roller Skating Disco, Ireland's longest-established mobile roller disco, running from 1:00 to 2:00pm with tickets priced at £8, bookable online.

Walk Leader Training | Antrim Library | 10:00 AM. Open to volunteers and health workers, this training covers the benefits of walking, how to plan safe routes, and how to motivate people of all ages to keep active. Booking is essential.

Intergenerational Board Games | Ballyclare Library | 2:00 PM. Celebrating Intergenerational Week, this welcoming session brings people of all ages together over board games in a friendly, inclusive setting. Booking is advised.

Chess Drop-in | Glengormley Library | 10:00 AM. Pull up a chair, grab a cuppa, and find an opponent for a relaxing game of chess. This drop-in runs every Tuesday morning and is open to all ages, with refreshments provided.

Gardening Club | Greystone Library | 10:30 AM. Share your gardening triumphs, swap tips, and enjoy a warm chat over tea and biscuits with fellow green-fingered enthusiasts at this friendly monthly gathering.

Happy Feet Walking Group | Greystone Library | 11:45 AM. Returning after its winter pause, this monthly walk offers a gentle way to get moving, connect with nature, and build friendships in good company.

Ballyclare Scribblers | Ballyclare Library | 12:30 PM. Budding writers and poets are welcome at this weekly group, where you can share ideas, find fresh inspiration, and take a well-deserved creative break from the day.

Creative Writing Group | Antrim Library | 4:30 PM. Meeting on the fourth Tuesday of each month, this group is open to anyone who wants to write in good company. Contact the library to book your place.

Second World War Reminiscence Workshop | Rathcoole Library | 11:00 AM. The NI War Memorial Museum brings wartime artefacts to the library for a dementia-friendly session exploring the past through objects and shared memories. Booking is advised.

Gel Printing with Nature | Rathcoole Library | 2:00 PM. Learn to create striking prints using a gel plate and natural materials you gather yourself, with all other materials provided and no prior experience required. Booking essential via the link on the library page.

Tea Dance | Ballyclare Town Hall | 2:00 PM. Join Double Trouble for great tunes from all eras at this relaxed and friendly afternoon. Whether you dance or just sit and enjoy, tickets cost £3 and can be paid at the door or booked online.

Walking Group, Let's Go Walking | Randalstown Library | 2:15 PM. Take a gentle weekly walk in good company, enjoying fresh air, nature, and the chance to connect with others in a socially welcoming setting. Booking is essential.

Ballyclare Secondary Art Exhibition | Ballyclare Library | 3:00 PM. Celebrate the creativity of local young people at the opening of Ballyclare Secondary School's art exhibition, showcasing an inspiring collection of pupil artwork. No booking required.

Jigsaw Club | Greystone Library | 9:30 AM. Settle in for a peaceful, sociable morning working on a beautiful jigsaw at this welcoming drop-in, open every Thursday at Greystone Library.

Community Safety Programme - Week 3 | Ballyclare Library | 1:00 PM. Redeeming Our Communities (ROC) delivers the third session of this four-week drop-in, covering safety in the home, online, and in the community. Booking is essential and light refreshments are provided.

Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour | Theatre at The Mill | 7:30 PM. Experience an evening of breath-taking adventure films from the world's most prestigious mountain festival, featuring top filmmakers who climb, ski, paddle and ride into the planet's wildest corners.

Do you have a local event coming up that you’d like to share with us?

That’s it for this issue. If you want to get in touch, just hit reply to this email and I’ll get back to you asap.

If you found this useful, feel free to share it with someone else around the Antrim and Newtownabbey area who might appreciate some new local events to try each week.

Next edition will land at the same time next Friday.