Rose Week

Poster advertising Rose Week Rose Week takes place from Tuesday 14 to Sunday 19 July in the City of Belfast International Rose Garden in Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park

It includes music, competitions, a summer rose and flower show and plant stalls, as well as the judging of international trial roses by a panel of experts on Wednesday 15 July. General information will be available from the marquee in the Rose Garden from 12pm to 8pm (Tuesday 14), 10am to 8pm (Wednesday 15 to Saturday 18) and 10am to 5.30pm (Sunday 19).

Tea, coffee and other refreshments will be available in the festival marquee (outside Wilmont House) each day to 10.30am to 4.30pm. Hot and cold meals will be served in the Stables coffee shop in the lower car park from 9.30am to 5.30pm.

For more information about Rose Week, call us on 028 9091 8768.

Timetable of activities

Select a date below to find out what's happening during Rose Week: Most activities take place in the playground, around Wilmont House or in the Rose Garden.

The following events also take place daily during Rose Week.
Rose Week programme of activities (Tuesday 14 July)
Date Name of event Description Time
Tuesday 14 July Drum Circle   2pm to 5pm
  Bouncy castle

 

 2pm to 5pm
  Climbing tower This mobile climbing tower is suitable for all ages and abilities. Please note that appropriate clothing must be worn and no skirts or flip-flops are allowed. 2pm to 5pm
  A Peek at the Park Discover the heritage and biodiversity of Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park with a display in the festival marquee.  
  Music in the Parks A performance from the Castlewellan Accordion Orchestra. 7.30pm to 8.30pm


Rose Week programme of activities (Wednesday 15 July)
Date Name of event Description Time
Wednesday 15 July International Rose Trials A panel of international judges will complete the final judging of the City of Belfast International Rose Trials 2009 and the winners will be announced.
Around 50 new varieties of roses are submitted by international breeders each year and each rose is given points for habit, growth, resistance to disease, flower quality and scent.
The experts judge the roses five times over the trial season, before a final winner is chosen during Rose Week.		  
  Afresh band African and ethnic music 11am to 12pm
  A Peek at the Park Discover the heritage and biodiversity of Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park with a display in the festival marquee.  
  Irish dancing demonstration By the Maura McGowan School of Irish Dancing. 2pm to 5pm
  Pond Dip Join staff from Lagan Valley Regional Park in discovering pond life. Booking is essential - call 028 9049 1922. Meet at the entrance to the lower car park. 2pm and 3.30pm
  Soccer Shootout   2pm to 5pm
  Mini crazy golf   2pm to 5pm
  Giant puppet   2pm to 5pm
  Music in the Parks A performance from Templemore Band. 7.30pm to 8.30pm
  Secret Garden Join staff from Lagan Valley Regional Park for a stroll through Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park. The walk, which is one to two miles long, focuses on lesser-known parts of the park. Meet at the lower entrance car park at 7pm. For details, call 028 9049 1922. 7pm


Rose Week programme of activities (Thursday 16 July)
Date Name of event Description Time
Thursday 16 July Cycle ride Join us for a guided bike ride from the Palm House in Botanic Gardens to Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park. Meet at the Palm House at 1.30pm. You can also join the ride from Lockview car park at Stranmillis at 1.45pm. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. For more information, call 028 9072 6345 (extension 6653) or email access@belfastcity.gov.uk 1.30pm
  Bouncy castle   2pm to 5pm
  Mini crazy golf   2pm to 5pm
  Keith McVeigh Trio Jazz and easy listening music. 2.30pm to 4.30pm
  Floral art demonstrations Shirley Moore, a member of the Northern Ireland Group of Flower Arranging Societies, demonstrates the art of flower arranging in the festival marquee. 2pm to 3pm
  Irish dancing demonstration By the Maura McGowan School of Irish Dancing. 3pm to 5pm
  Birds, Bees and Buildings Join us for a walk to look at the heritage and biodiversity of Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park. Meet in front of Wilmont House. 3pm
  A Peek at the Park Discover the heritage and biodiversity of Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park with a display in the festival marquee.  
  Music in the Parks A performance from Lord Londonderry's Own CLB Flute Band. 7.30pm to 8.30pm


Rose Week programme of activities (Friday 17 July)
Date Name of event Description Time
Friday 17 July Bouncy castle   2pm to 5pm
  Stevie Rice Duo Funky jazz music. 2.30pm to 4.30pm
  Magic show for children   3.45pm
  Laser Quest Compete against your family and friends in a series of laser combat games. Suitable for children aged eight and above. 2pm to 5pm
  Wheelworks Try your hand at digital photography on the Wheelworks Artcart using computers and software. 2pm to 5pm
  Giant puppet   2pm to 5pm
  Music in the Parks A performance from Ormeau Concert Band. 7.30pm to 8.30pm


Rose Week programme of activities (Saturday 18 July)
Date Name of event Description Time
Saturday 18 July Summer stalls A selection of plants, crafts and gardening items for sale in the marquee outside Wilmont House. 11am to 5.30pm
Summer rose and flower show Displays of roses, sweet peas, pot plants, bonsai and cacti in the marquee outside Wilmont House.
2pm to 5.30pm
1st Old Boys' Silver Band   2pm to 3pm
  Soccer Shootout   2pm to 5pm
  Magic show for children   3.45pm
  Babcock and Bobbins Comedy and circus skills such as fire-juggling, stilt-walking and fire-breathing. 2pm to 5pm
  Climbing tower This mobile climbing tower is suitable for all ages and abilities. Please note that appropriate clothing must be worn and no skirts or flip-flops are allowed. 2pm to 5pm
  Willow flower workshop Try making flowers using paper and willow in the festival marquee. 2pm to 5pm
  Craft demonstration Watch a local craftsman at work in the run-up to Craft Northern Ireland's August Craft Month Festival. 2pm to 5pm
  Keith McVeigh Trio Jazz and easy listening music. 3.30pm to 4.30pm


Rose Week programme of activities (Sunday 19 July)
Date Name of event Description Time
Sunday 19 July Summer stalls A selection of plants, crafts and gardening items for sale in the marquee outside Wilmont House. 1.30pm to 5.30pm
Summer rose and flower show Displays of roses, sweet peas, pot plants, bonsai and cacti in the marquee outside Wilmont House. 2pm to 5.30pm
Bouncy castle   2pm to 5pm
  Laganvale Band (Metal Technology)   2pm to 3pm
  The Bad Billys   2pm to 3pm
  Willow flower workshop Try making flowers using paper and willow in the festival marquee. 2pm to 5pm
  Jonny McGeown Swing music. 3.30pm to 4.30pm
  Magic show for children   3.45pm
  Laser Quest Compete against your family and friends in a series of laser combat games. Suitable for children aged eight and above. 2pm to 5pm

Transport

A shuttle bus service runs directly to Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park every 20 minutes.

It departs from Stand 1 at Europa Bus Centre from 1pm each day. The last bus leaves at 6.40pm.

Return journeys from Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park begin at 1.20pm and finish at 7pm. The service runs every 20 minutes.

All buses drop off and collect passengers at the upper car park.

The bus costs: Senior citizens travel free if they have a Department for Regional Development (DRD) Senior Citizen Smart Pass.

Smart Link passes and Metro day tickets are not valid.

For more information about our Rose Week shuttle bus service, call 028 9066 6630.

Car parking

Car parking is available in all the main car parks in Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park.

Cars will be permitted access close to Wilmont House, where possible, to assist disabled and elderly visitors.

However, this is a drop-off service only - cars must then be parked in the main car parks.