Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, supported by Apex, Arbour, Radius and Alpha Housing Associations through the Housing for All Shared Housing Programme, is delighted to host a children’s Teddy Bears Picnic in Grange Park, Omagh on Saturday 26 July 2025 from 1pm – 4pm.
This free event promises to be a fun filled day for the whole family, packed with engaging activities, music and entertainment. The Teddy Bears Picnic also celebrates Omagh’s own Jimmy Kennedy, the internationally renowned lyricist behind the beloved children’s song The Teddy Bears’ Picnic.
Bring your favourite teddy and enjoy a fantastic afternoon of live performances including St Eugene’s Brass and Reed Band, and a singalong with Tom Sweeney’s “Tots and Teddy” performance. The Hungarian Saturday School will perform The Teddy Bears’ Picnic and encourage everyone to join in the fun.
There will be plenty to enjoy throughout the day including:
- Interactive games with Hunter West
- Sports and fun with coaches from Omagh Leisure Complex Summer Camp
- Storytelling sessions with Libraries NI
- An educational Tree Trail and Bug Hunt led by the Council’s Biodiversity and Climate Change Team
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Arts and crafts including Thai Arts NI’s fan-making workshop, sand art with Natalie in the Light Box, and creative fun with Wheel Works Art Cart.
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As well as visits from summer-themed characters, face painting, hula hoops, bubbles and more.
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Those attending can stay hydrated with Refill NI’s rehydration vehicle and enjoy a variety of on-site food vendors, free goodies and useful information will be available from Apex, Arbour, Radius and Alpha Housing Associations, along with PCSP, Western Trust Fostering Services and other community partners.
Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor Barry McElduff, said:
“I am really delighted to see the return of the Teddy Bear’s Picnic. This year’s affordable and family-friendly event is building on last year’s success which was thoroughly enjoyed by so many families.
As a Council, we are committed to offering high-quality experiences for both residents and visitors, and it is fantastic to see free events like this that families can actively take part in and enjoy.
Grange Park in Omagh is the perfect setting for the event — a redeveloped, inclusive and accessible play space where children of all abilities can explore and have fun.
Events like the Teddy Bear’s Picnic help bring people together and showcase the park as a safe, welcoming space where families can connect and create lasting memories.
I would like to extend my thanks, on behalf of the Council, to Apex, Arbour, Radius and Alpha Housing Associations, through the ‘Housing for All’ Shared Housing Programme, for their ongoing support of this event. I encourage everyone to come along. There will be plenty of fun and entertainment on offer for sure.
The event forms part of the wider work supported through the ‘Housing for All’ Shared Housing Programme, which is focuses on building brighter futures for all.
The Teddy Bears Picnic celebration is being supported by the Department for Communities and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive’s ‘Housing for All’ Shared Housing Programme. The Programme had its origins in the NI Executive Together: Building a United Community Strategy, which reflected the Executive’s commitment to improving community relations and continuing the journey towards a more united and shared society.
Approximately £8.8m will be invested in the Woodside Avenue, Mountjoy Road, Woodbrook, Camowen Woods and Edenwood shared housing developments in Omagh and their associated five-year good relations plans. Apex, Arbour, Radius and Alpha Housing continue to work in partnership with local advisory group stakeholders and residents to develop and deliver a good relations plan for the area.
Warren Kerr, Apex Good Relations Officer, said:
“We are delighted to support the Teddy Bear’s Picnic as the finale to the good relations programme for our shared housing development in Woodside Court. It’s sure to be a great day out for all the family in the beautiful setting of Grange Park.”
