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family · Saturday 5 September 2026 · 2:00pm 
Market Place Theatre Family Super Saturdays - Armagh
At Market Place Theatre and Arts Centre · Market Street, Armagh, Co. Armagh, BT61 7BW
At Market Place Theatre and Arts Centre · Market Street, Armagh, Co. Armagh, BT61 7BW
Saturday afternoons at the Market Place Theatre take on a different energy when the Family Super Saturdays season gets going. This is a proper afternoon out for families with young children - a live performance followed by a run of post-show activities that keep the fun going well after the curtain comes down. It suits children who like a bit of dressing up, a bit of craft, and the chance to get their face painted without having to go to a school fete to do it. For parents, the added activities mean you are not rushing anyone out the door the moment the show ends.
The format is consistent each season: a family-friendly show in the main 397-seat auditorium or the smaller 120-seat studio, followed by a programme of post-show craft workshops, face painting, balloon modelling, and a fancy-dress competition with prizes for best-dressed. The theatre runs this across its autumn season, with the September date kicking things off.
The Market Place Theatre programmes a wide range of styles for its family shows - theatre, dance, interactive productions, and children’s shows from both local and national companies. The post-show element is run alongside the performance, so there is usually a buzz in the foyer and lower areas of the building when families come out. The fancy-dress competition means children who arrive in costume have an edge, and the craft workshops tend to be themed to tie in with whichever show is on that day.
Children aged two and under can attend suitable performances free of charge but will need a valid ticket (free to obtain) to be seated.
Specific show titles for the autumn 2026 season are announced on the theatre’s website and social channels in advance, so it is worth checking the listing closer to the date.
The Market Place Theatre sits on Market Street in the centre of Armagh city. From Belfast, the A3 takes you directly into Armagh in around an hour; from Dublin, it is roughly two hours via the M1 and A3 through Newry. Translink operates bus services from Belfast Europa Bus Centre to Armagh, and there are local connections from nearby towns.
Parking in the city centre is the realistic option for most visitors. Dobbin Street and Friary Road have car parks within a short walk of the theatre. On a Saturday afternoon, the city is manageable - street parking on some roads is also available. If anyone in your group has mobility needs, it is worth ringing the box office in advance to confirm disabled parking arrangements, as availability is limited.
Armagh city rewards a longer visit - the two cathedrals (both called St Patrick’s, one Church of Ireland and one Catholic) face each other from separate hills, which is unusual enough to be worth seeing even with restless children in tow. The Armagh County Museum and the Armagh Planetarium are both close to the city centre and have family-friendly appeal. There is more to see in Armagh and across Co. Armagh.
Heading to Market Place Theatre and Arts Centre in Armagh? Armagh has plenty more to see. Read the Armagh area guide, find what else is on, and explore the towns and villages nearby.