Armagh is often celebrated for its rich history, St Patrick’s legacy, twin cathedrals and orchard heritage. Yet while the county has long been known for education, heritage sites and festivals, the entertainment scene is only now stepping into the spotlight as a key draw for both residents and tourists alike.
In this article, we’ll take a look at what’s new in Armagh, how the online world is helping to shape local developments and what the future holds for the area.
A New Wave of Local Attractions
Local entrepreneurs, supported by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council’s Tourism Experience Development programme, have launched a host of interactive entertainments across the region. The area now boasts the world’s only Game of Thrones studio tour, which has proved a huge draw for visitors.
You can now enjoy the traditional sport of road bowling inside the city, test out the art of sauna with Hot Rocks overlooking Lough Neagh, or craft gelato at Moo Valley’s tasting experience. These fresh attractions add flavour to the existing offerings, including Navan Centre & Fort’s storytelling and live action zones, the F.E. McWilliam Gallery’s seasonal retrospectives, and the ever‑popular Armagh Observatory and Planetarium.
Culture Meets Performance
Summer 2025 brings a return of the 7 Hills Blues Fest in Armagh City, blending roots‑driven music with local cuisine and workshops, making it a not to be missed experience for music lovers and foodies. Meanwhile, the Home of St Patrick Festival is always a favourite, offering open air concerts, leprechaun runs, stained glass masterclasses and cathedral tours that bring live storytelling to city squares and museums alike. This mix of heritage, performance and outdoor fun is defining a new era of entertainment in Armagh.
Bingo and Quizzing Remains Popular
Many local venues continue to offer bingo nights, quiz evenings and live music as a way to draw people into venues. As in many places, events like bingo have retained widespread appeal due to the growing popularity of online gaming and bingo. These online platforms have drawn specific attention, largely due to the availability of websites offering online bingo bonus and free spin promotions.
This has given residents the ability to play from home, and the appeal can be drawn from these digital marketing tactics, seen across other sectors like shopping promotions and bonuses. This means online entertainment platforms are able to entice and retain audiences digitally. However, in-person bingo in Armagh still remains a popular option, and could even be said to have increased in popularity due to these options.
Over recent years, Armagh has focused on balancing tradition and innovation in order to expand entertainment – from immersive workshops to seasonal festivals, it is helping drive footfall, extend visitor stays, and offer locals fresh ways to connect socially.
Armagh’s entertainment offering in 2025 is not just about what’s on stage or on site, it’s also about the shared experiences, the blending of heritage with modern fun. With new ventures opening, a packed festival calendar, the Orchard County is truly positioning itself as a cultural hub. We look forward to seeing what else the region has to offer over coming the years.
