Ballymena Celebrates 400th Birthday With Fireworks and Family Fun

Ballymena marked its 400th birthday on Tuesday, 25 August, with celebrations across the town. Storytelling, family entertainment, a civic service and a spectacular fireworks display at People’s Park brought the community together to celebrate four centuries of Ballymena history.

Ballymena marks 400th birthday with major celebrations

Ballymena’s 400th birthday celebrations ended in spectacular fashion on Tuesday evening as crowds gathered at People’s Park for live music, family entertainment and a colourful fireworks display.

The celebrations on Tuesday, 25 August formed part of the wider Ballymena 400 programme, marking four centuries since the town received its historic charter.

The anniversary commemorates 400 years since King Charles I signed the Charter granting the Adair family the right to hold a weekly market and two annual fairs in Ballymena.

That charter played an important role in Ballymena’s development from a small settlement into the thriving market town known today.

Residents can find details of the anniversary programme on the official Ballymena 400 website.

You can also explore the Northern Ireland Online Ballymena Local Guide for local news, events, businesses, fuel prices, traffic information and more.

Celebrations begin at Mid-Antrim Museum

The birthday celebrations began during the morning at Mid-Antrim Museum at The Braid, where younger residents were invited to take part in a special storytelling session.

Children heard The Tale of the Castle Cat and the Golden Dragon, an illustrated story introducing young readers to Ballymena’s history.

The book was commissioned as part of the Ballymena 400 programme and uses the story of Ballymena Castle to introduce children to the town’s past.

More information about Ballymena 400 events is available through Mid and East Antrim Borough Council.

Birthday party takes over Wellington Court

The celebrations continued in Wellington Court, where the town centre took on a lively party atmosphere.

Families enjoyed entertainment including:

• Circus performers
• A magic show
• Family entertainment
• Children’s activities
• Birthday celebrations
• Birthday cake supplied by Dougie’s Goodies

The activities gave shoppers, residents and visitors another opportunity to join Ballymena’s landmark birthday celebrations.

Civic service reflects on Ballymena’s history

Later in the evening, members of the community gathered at St Patrick’s Church of Ireland for a special civic service.

The service provided an opportunity to reflect on the generations of people and events that have shaped Ballymena during the past 400 years.

Among those attending was His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant for County Antrim, David McCorkell, representing King Charles III.

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Alderman Thomas Gordon was also in attendance after visiting celebrations around the town earlier in the day.

He said:

“I am delighted so many people have been able to take part in the joyful celebrations marking this significant milestone for Ballymena.”

The Mayor said it was particularly encouraging to see younger generations becoming involved in the anniversary.

He added:

“We will take forward the history, heritage and community spirit of the last 400 years as the town continues to grow and evolve, and we now look forward to a new century, a prosperous future and making new memories together.”

The civic thanksgiving service was one of the official events listed in the Ballymena 400 programme.

Fireworks bring Ballymena 400 celebrations to a close

The focus then moved to People’s Park, where crowds gathered for the final part of Ballymena’s official birthday celebrations.

Live music and entertainment created a family atmosphere before the sky above the park was illuminated by a spectacular fireworks display.

The display provided a fitting conclusion to a day celebrating Ballymena’s history, its communities and the generations who have called the town home.

Northern Ireland Online previously reported on the planned programme of celebrations in our article: Ballymena to Mark 400th Birthday With Family Events and Fireworks.