Stretch your legs over Christmas with this guide to what’s on over the festive period

Irish FA Tour, Belfast, County Antrim, 27-31 December. Visit Windsor Park and uncover the unique story of football in Northern Ireland from 1880 using a variety of interactive displays and artefacts. Tour the grounds and the education and heritage centre, which allows visitors to relive their favourite moments and walk in the footsteps of footballing legends. Take your seat in the Northern Ireland changing room, sharpen your knowledge in the press room and enter the pitch to the famous roar of the Green and White Army, an unforgettable experience of lovers of the beautiful game.

Stargazing evening, Armagh, County Armagh, 29 December. Come and join a team of experts to learn about the night sky. Weather permitting, you can use the planetarium’s telescopes and take in the wonders of the planets and stars in a cutting-edge light show in the Digital Dome theatre. A special bonus of this session is the chance to get your own telescopes checked over by the members of Irish Astronomical Association!

Oxford Island, County Armagh. A great place to walk off those Christmas dinners! Explore the sublime beauty of Oxford Island – a designated National Nature Reserve on the southern shores of Lough Neagh. There are four miles of woodland trails, ponds and bogland in this tranquil spot. Immerse yourself in the in the panoramic views of this stunning setting.

Drawn to Water, Comber, County Down, throughout December. Pull on your boots, pick up an illustrated trail map and prepare for a “quacking” time at Castle Espie. You can also take in the exhibition celebrating Quentin Blake’s love of this type of environment with more than 50 nature-inspired illustrations. Finish off with a visit to the shop where you can purchase some lovely keepsakes to remind you of a great family day out!

The Spirit of the Bann, Coleraine County Derry~Londonderry, 31 December. Hop aboard the lovingly restored MV Kingfisher, a vintage vessel from the 1940s and enjoy a food and tasting tour you will never forget! Snuggle into the cosy blankets and cushions on the covered deck and explore the winter wonderland of the River Bann. As you retrace a journey made by our ancestors over 9,000 years ago you will taste a range of exceptional whiskeys from the world’s oldest licensed distiller, the legendary Bushmills. Your tastebuds will also be treated to a selection of local artisan foods from around the Causeway Coast. Prepare for a day that will last long in the memory!

St Patrick’s Chair and Well, Augher, County Tyrone. Hidden among the trees in Altadaven Glen is this truly beautiful place that is magical any time of year! It’s said that it used to be a meeting place for Druids before it was Christianised by St Patrick. The 2m high sandstone ‘chair’ is shaped like a throne and, according to local folklore, it has healing properties. The ‘well’ is another rock, with a depression filled with water which is said to never run dry and has associations with St Brigid.

Live Music at Charlie's, Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, throughout December. Ease into the holidays with some great live gigs. Each Thursday enjoy the music in the downstairs bar with the chance to catch some traditional Irish Music every Sunday. There is something to suit most musical tastes at Charlie’s and it is a great way to sit back and take full advantage of your Christmas break.

Christmas Trail Quest, Castlewellan, County Down, 29 December. Fancy some mountain biking and orienteering? Test yourself and burn off some Christmas calories in the process at The Life Adventure Centre! This two-hour event, around the trails of Castlewellan Forest is suitable for novice or experienced riders. Make it as chilled or as challenging as you want as this year standard mountain bikes and electric mountain bikes are welcome!

Signature Tour Titanic Distillery, Belfast, County Antrim, 29 December. This is one of four tours available at the distillery in the historic Titanic Pumphouse in the heart of Belfast’s Titanic Quarter. This listed building first opened in 1911 to service and accommodate the White Star transatlantic liners Olympic and Titanic. Visitors will be guided around the distillery and pumphouse before tasting some of its premier Irish whiskey and award-winning Irish vodka.

Tullyaghoge Fort, Cookstown, County Tyrone. All year round this ancient hilltop fort, occupying a commanding position on the outskirts of Cookstown, is a great place for a wander. Steeped in history, it was a seat of royal power in ancient times and where the chiefs of the Clan O’Neill of Tyrone were inaugurated. While nothing but the outlines of the former structures survive, it’s an atmospheric place and is understood to have been an important site from the earliest pagan times.

For more information on what’s on or to plan a short break in Northern Ireland, visit https://discovernorthernireland.com/