Christmas 2021
It’s the season to celebrate!
Mid and East Antrim is packed with festive events, local shops, cosy cafés, and places to enjoy winter’s wonderland.
Christmas Markets Keep up-to-date Support Local in MEA
Bin Collections Council site closures
Here is some key information to help you plan ahead and make the most of what’s happening:Here is some key information to help you plan ahead and make the most of what’s happening:
Christmas Lights Switch Ons
Join us for the Christmas Lights Switch On events as we light up the borough for the festive season:
Ballymena
Harmony Hub, Thursday 18 November, from 5pm.(switch on 6.45pm)
Larne
Broadway, Friday 19 November, from 5pm (switch on 7.30pm)
Carrickfergus
High Street, Saturday 20 November, from 2pm (switch on 5.30pm)
Christmas Markets
Add a seasonal sparkle to your shopping with live music and entertainment at our artisan Christmas markets:
Larne, Broadway
Friday 26 November 4pm - 8pm
Saturday 27 November 11am - 5pm
Carrickfergus, Market Place
Friday 3 December 4pm - 8pm
Saturday 4 December 11am - 5pm
Ballymena, Greenvale Street (in association with Ballymena BID)
Thursday 9 December to Sunday 12 December
Thursday 16 December to Sunday 19 December
Thursday to Saturday:10am - 6pm, Sundays 1pm - 6pm
#embRACE Christmas Craft Fair at Carnfunnock Country Park
Saturday 4 December 12noon - 3pm
Keep up-to-date
Visit our Events page or follow us on Facebook for latest information.
Support your local MEA
This Christmas, please consider supporting our wonderful local retailers. They are the heart of our town centres and village high streets, and have everything you need to make it a Christmas to remember.
We’ve made it even easier to connect with them on our new ShopMEA app. It features a great selection of local retailers, and you can search for shops and events in Ballymena, Carrickfergus or Larne.
The ShopMEA app also has a host of exclusive discounts and offers – just download the app, select the offer and show the QR code when you are paying!
Download the app from the IOs App store or Google Play store.
You can also view the offers on the shopMEA website.
Bin collections & Household Recycling Centres
All bin collections, including kerbside boxes, will be lifted as normal over Christmas and New Year.
Black/Brown/Blue bin collections
| Date | Ballymena | Carrickfergus | Larne |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24 December | Normal collections | Normal collections | Normal collections |
| 27 December | Normal collections | Normal collections | Normal collections |
| 28 December | Normal collections | Normal collections | Normal collections |
| 3 January | Normal collections | Normal collections | Normal collections |
Kerbside box collections
| Date | Ballymena | Carrickfergus |
|---|---|---|
| 24 December | Normal collections | Normal collections |
| 27 December | Normal collections | Normal collections |
| 28 December | Normal collections | Normal collections |
| 3 January | Normal collections | Normal collections |
Council site closures
Household Recycling Centre closures
Saturday 25 December - Closed
Sunday 26 December - Closed
Saturday 1 January - Closed
Sunday 2 January - Closed
Seven Towers Leisure Centre, Ballymena
Friday 24 December 2021 - Closed
Saturday 25 December 2021 - Closed
Sunday 26 December 2021 - Closed
Monday 27 December 2021 - 9am – 5pm
Tuesday 28 December 2021 - 9am – 5pm
Wednesday 29 December 2021 - 7.30am – 5pm
Thursday 30 December 2021 - 8.45am – 5pm
Friday 31 December 2021 - 7.30am – 5pm
New Year’s Day - Saturday 1 January 2021 - Closed
Carrickfergus Amphitheatre
Friday 24 December 2021 - Closed
Saturday 25 December 2021 - Closed
Sunday 26 December 2021 - Closed
Monday 27 December 2021 - 9am – 5pm
Tuesday 28 December 2021 - 9am – 5pm
Wednesday 29 December 2021 - 6.30am – 5pm
Thursday 30 December 2021 - 6.30am – 5pm
Friday 31 December 2021 - 6.30am – 5pm
New Year’s Day - Saturday 1 January 2021 - Closed
Larne Leisure Centre
Friday 24 December 2021 - Closed
Saturday 25 December 2021 - Closed
Sunday 26 December 2021 - Closed
Monday 27 December 2021 - 9am – 5pm
Tuesday 28 December 2021 - 9am – 5pm
Wednesday 29 December 2021 - 8.30am – 5pm
Thursday 30 December 2021 - 8.30am – 5pm
Friday 31 December 2021 - 8.30am – 5pm
New Year’s Day - Saturday 1 January 2021 - Closed
Plan those days off
Escape to our borough’s coast and countryside for a scenic seasonal break. For more ideas and inspiration, visit the Shaped By Sea and Stone website.