Summer in the City - Armagh City Centre Family Saturdays

Every Saturday from late July through the first week of September, Armagh city centre turns into a free family playground. Summer in the City is a council-run programme that fills Market Square, McCrum’s Court and the forecourt of the Market Place Theatre with drop-in activities for children from 12pm to 4pm - no tickets, no pre-booking, no fuss. It runs for eight consecutive Saturdays, which makes it useful for families looking for a reliable weekly outing rather than a one-off trip.

What to expect

The programme changes each week, so there is a reason to come back. Across the summer, activities have included crafts, football skills sessions, pom pom cheerleading, children’s cooking, dance workshops, science experiments, magic, face painting, balloon modelling, hula hooping, and live music. The three areas - Market Square, McCrum’s Court and the space outside the Market Place Theatre - spread the activity out, which means the crowds do not feel concentrated in one spot and children can drift between zones.

The final Saturday on 7 September ties in with the Armagh Food and Cider Weekend. That day leans toward food themes: children’s cooking workshops, a Grow Your Own Veg session, a teddy bears’ picnic, face painting and balloon modellers. If you only make it to one Saturday, that last one gives the most variety.

Everything is drop-in and genuinely free - no charge for any activity on the day.

Getting there

Armagh is roughly an hour from Belfast and 45 minutes from Newry by car, with the A28 and A3 both feeding into the city. Translink operates bus services into Armagh from Belfast, Portadown, Newry and Dungannon - the bus station on Lonsdale Road is a short walk from Market Square. Car parking is available on Dobbin Street and Friary Road, both within easy walking distance of the event areas.

While you’re in Armagh

Armagh is one of Ireland’s oldest cities and the ecclesiastical capital of the island, with two cathedrals on opposing hills and the Armagh County Museum on the Mall. After the Saturday activities wind down, the city centre is compact enough to explore on foot. There is more to see in Armagh and across Co. Armagh.

Good to know

• Dates: every Saturday, 20 July to 7 September 2026
• Time: 12pm to 4pm each Saturday (8 dates in total)
• Price: Free - all activities included at no charge
• No booking required - drop in on the day
• Locations: Market Square, McCrum’s Court and outside the Market Place Theatre, Armagh city centre (BT61 7AA)
• Final Saturday (7 September) coincides with Armagh Food and Cider Weekend with special food-themed family activities
• Full details at visitarmagh.com