Fun things to do this May bank holiday weekend

Published 2nd May 2024

It might be the blue skies and old skool takeover energy, but we've got that summer feeling this bank holiday weekend!

On Sunday, thousands of participants will take part in the Mash Direct Belfast City Marathon, so there's going to be real buzz around the city centre for that.

If fitness isn't your thing, don't panic. With everything from windswept walks to outdoor family attractions, we've picked out some fun activities and places to visit across Northern Ireland that the whole family will enjoy the May Bank holiday.

Take a closer look 👇

Discover some of NI's hottest outdoor attractions

Keep the kids entertained with a trip to the zoo or local farm. The weather should stay clear, maybe with the odd afternoon shower, but why not tire them out outdoors.

Colin Glen have a range of activities on offer

Just 5 minutes from Belfast city centre, the 200-acre forest park has something for all the family – from golfing, to Gruffalo Trailing, alpine coasteering to ziplining. Visitors can experience the new River Rapid zipline – Ireland's longest zipline – travelling at speeds of up to 50mph as they soar 100ft high above the Belfast Hills.

Festival of Fools returns to Belfast city centre

Ireland's largest free street performance festival returns to Belfast city centre from May 4th - 9th 2024.
This year's exciting FREE daytime programme offers three days of jam-packed, all-inclusive daytime entertainment for the whole family including circus, parkour, dance, archery and visual arts.

Pints in the sun 🤞

Come rain or shine nothing quite beats a cool pint outdoors 🍻 We're lucky here in Belfast to have a host of fantastic outdoor spaces, complete with twinkling fairy lights and sun-trapped terraces.

Take up paddleboarding

It's the Cool Breakfast team's favourite new hobby, why not give it a go?! NI has an array of thrilling waterways, lakes and beaches for you to explore.
Read our handy how-to guide that's got some of the best locations inside...

Book a spa treatment

It's fair to say we all deserve a moment of total rest and relaxation. Whether you'd prefer an outdoor hot tub perched on the riverbank, or even a quirky coastal seaweed bath, we've got you covered.
Discover the best spa deals and spots...

Fall in love with Belfast' most vibrant street art

There's hardly a bare wall in sight across Belfast's city streets, which become the home of progressive street art. A simple walk through the Cathedral Quarter will get your creative juices flowing.
Find the best Instagram backdrop...

Take up surfing

Surfers travel from all around the globe to experience our spectacular coastline and fantastic surfing conditions provided by the Irish sea. You've got to be brave to face the chilly water, but once you're in 'you're grand!'
Check out the best surfing spots in NI...

Go on a foodie roadtrip

Lockdown has turned us all into foodie snobs! Why not go on a complete tour of some of the tastiest pop-up food trends across NI.
Check out some of our favourites...

Escape to the beach

Littered along our coast you'll find an array of beaches, each one with something different to enjoy. No matter the weather, locals and tourists of all ages will love in love with our iconic beaches.
Check out some of NI's most 'Instagrammable' beaches...

Take to the water on a kayak

Kayaking is to water what hiking is to mountains - the ultimate way to get up close and personal with nature. We've got an array of gorgeous waterways and lakes for you to explore, find your nearest spot here

Grab a wetsuit & splash away at Let's Go Hydro

You don't have to travel too far outside of Belfast for some aqua adventures. Let's Go Hydro have everything from wakeboarding and floating rugby to the spa & inflatable park facilities.

Read more:

Festival of Fools returns to Belfast this spring

Two adorable baby monkeys join the Belfast Zoo family

$60m luxury yacht docks in Belfast

How to listen to Cool FM:

Tune into Northern Ireland’s number 1 for music, Cool FM on 97.4FM, online, on our Cool FM app, your DAB radio, or say ‘Play Cool FM’ on your Smart Speaker. We play you the biggest hits from the world’s hottest artists, from Pete Snodden in the morning to the NI Hit 40.