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Arts & Theatre Events

Northern Ireland is a land of poets, writers and dreamers. We’ve given the world Heaney and Friel, C.S Lewis and MacNeice, and Booker-prize winning Anna Burns. We’re a nation of rock stars, pop stars and folk music legends. We’ve produced A-list movie stars, knighted theatre directors, won Oscars and even put Westeros on the map. There’s a vibrant arts scene happening here. So, here’s a taste of what’s going on.

Get arty and party in Armagh

Armagh has a penchant for showing off its rich Georgian heritage. Which is why The Georgian Festival is the perfect excuse for Armagh people to dress up in their finery and sumptuous period costume. Travel back through the mists of time with events like The Great Georgian Banquet, or horse and carriage rides along The Mall. And with a Children’s Christmas market plus a sparkling Christmas Light Show to end the festivities, it’s all very regal.

March is the perfect time for the Home of St. Patrick Festival. Not least because St. Patrick’s Day lands smack in the middle of the month. As his homeplace, Armagh is quite naturally and rightly at the heart of celebrating the life of Ireland’s national saint. It always promises and delivers a lively showcase of the best in culture, music, song and dance, plus a spectacular parade on the big day – March 17th. Time to get the shamrock and the face-paint out!

And from all things green to something more bluesy in colour and tone, the 7 Hills Blues Festival brings a summer festival of blistering blues and roots music events to the cathedral city. This unmissable weekend sees world class talent perform across more than 20 venues and locations. Best served very chilled.

Antrim’s art is in the right place

Music and storytelling are at the heart of the Saffron County’s vibrant art scene. And when you throw the richness of its biggest town – Belfast – into the mix, it’s a heady cocktail. Up in the glens they are rightly proud of their storytelling tradition. Which is why the aptly named Glens Storytelling Festival rightly celebrates and preserves this rich cultural heritage. The community event takes place over 5 days – well, they do have a few stories to tell!

Down in the valley, the Roe Valley Folk Festival is renowned for its eclectic mix of folk music, dance and traditional sessions. To make sure folk traditions pass on to the next generation, this festival is the perfect way to enjoy old and new folk, including fun storytelling and children events.

Along the coast, they have something to say and sing about too. Like, the Atlantic Sessions, a four-day music event across Portstewart and Portrush. Get your sesh face on with 50 artists in over 20 venues, and free performances from some of Northern Ireland's finest musos. And if you add the amazing three-day Live At The Beach music festival celebrating the beauty of the north coast, that’s a full week already! To chill out a bit, join local storyteller Kate Murphy and local musicians For Stories & Music Of The Causeway Coast. This evening of traditional stories, folklore and music celebrates all that’s good about the Causeway Coast and its landscape – of which there’s plenty.

In Belfast, it’s hard to know where to start for art. Maybe, the Belfast International Arts Festival is your thing. Come autumn time, even the leaves fall for its heady cocktail of dance, music, theatre, visual arts, film and music. You could spend your entire holiday allocation at the 2-week Belfast Film Festival with showings and events across the entire city. Or perhaps you’ll come for the Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival. If you like your fringe festivals socially inclusive and eclectic, then this mix of music, comedy, theatre, art and literature around St Anne's Cathedral may ring your bells.

You could head west for Feile an Phobail, aka the West Belfast Festival, celebrating the best of Irish and international culture around the Falls Road. Or go east for the Eastside Arts Festival for a summer festival showcasing the creative talent of east Belfast, featuring music, comedy, movies, theatre, workshops, and events for the young and old.

And while you’re there, the 5-day CS Lewis Festival celebrates the great Narnia writer’s legacy in his East Belfast hometown with lectures, exhibitions, spoken word and film screenings. Magical!

Find art in the heart of Derry-Londonderry

The walls of the city reverberate with the sounds of the coolest festivals and events celebrating Derry-Londonderry’s vibrant arts scene. Take the Stendhal Festival, a family-friendly grassroots festival highlighting the best in local and international music, art, comedy, dance, theatre, and loads more besides. Maybe the pageantry of The Maiden City Festival will rock your silk socks with its exciting mix of music, dance, theatre and pageant that brings the old city to life.

You could always let the vibes of the City of Derry Jazz Festival wash over you. Northern Ireland's biggest jazz festival brings distinctive rhythms to over 70 theatres, bars and restaurants, and on to the city streets! If jazz ain’t your bag, maybe the City of Derry International Choir Festival will hit all the right notes for you. Chances of that are high, with more than 60 choirs coming from as far as Belarus, Colombia, the Czech Republic and Indonesia.

Otherwise, just wrap yourself up in culture at Culture Night Derry-Londonderry as venues and public spaces across the city and district open up to free events. This all-island celebration has something for all ages and interests - from visual arts to music and dance, heritage, discussions, street art, tours and trails and family fun. And as one of only a handful of film festivals with Oscar affiliation and BAFTA recognition, the award for Best Film Buff Event goes to the Foyle Film Festival where moviemakers, animators and artists get to screen their films and network with industry pros. Get ready for your close-up!

They’ve got the arts thing down in Down

Over in Mourne County, the hills are alive with the sound of music and fun coming from every quarter. Down on the farm (that’s Tubby's Farm in Royal Hillsborough to be precise), Sunflowerfest attracts its regular ‘Festafarian’ devotees to this three-day festival of open-air music, art and family fun.

If you like your vibes on the mellower side, then the Blues On The Bay festival in Warrenpoint is the place to drop anchor. This picturesque port plays host to some of the world’s leading blues and jazz performers. Or if you’re out in C.S Lewis country, the Fiddlers Green Festival in Rostrevor could be where the magic happens for you. This family friendly international festival of music, arts and culture in the scenic village has free outdoor ceilis, art exhibitions and full programme for children and older teens.

Speaking of the great man himself, the Narnia Festival Rostrevor celebrates all things about the author who was inspired to imagine Narnia by the landscape around this stunning area. So, check the back of the wardrobe for your flip-flops.

Fermanagh and Tyrone border on artistic brilliance

The counties of Fermanagh and Tyrone share more than a border. They also share a love of craic, culture and music. After a day out on the majestic lakes or trekking the mighty Sperrins, you will always find something to give your artistic brain a good workout too. Like the Bluegrass Omagh Festival. Taste the largest roots music festival outside North America with bluegrass masters from USA, Australia and Europe, and the best from the UK and Ireland. It’s finger-pickin’ good. Or celebrate the cultural diversity of Fermanagh with the delightful From Around The World exhibition in Enniskillen.

While you’re there, the Happy Days Enniskillen International Beckett Festival is the world’s only regular festival celebrating the work and influence of Nobel Prize-winning Irish writer Samuel Beckett. So, what or who are you waiting for? Just go.

We could go on and on about how much art and theatre there is to be found everywhere in Northern Ireland. So we’ll leave it to you to find something special yourself – it won’t take long!

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The Derry Girls Experience

Derry~Londonderry

Address

Tower Museum, Union Hall Place, Derry~Londonderry, County Londonderry, BT48 6LU

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 7137 2411

tower@derrystrabane.com

Type

Type:

Exhibition

Visit the home of Derry Girls and discover where it all began! See original memorabilia from the hit show, like Erin’s diary, Aunt Sarah’s famous pyjamas and Ma Mary’s Woolworths sweater, not to mention the infamous Spice Girls costumes!

Dates

From:

4 July 2023to1 July 2025Open 09:00 - 17:30

More Info
Wild Ireland: Past, Present, Future

Belfast

Address

Ulster Museum, Stranmillis Road, Belfast, County Antrim, BT9 5AB

Telephone
02890440000

info@nationalmuseumsni.org

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Exhibition

An Ulster Museum exhibition featuring over 50 paintings by renowned wildlife painter, Julian Friers

Dates

From:

21 Feb 2025to31 Aug 2025Various Opening Times

Price
Free

More Info
Bill Kirk Archive Exhibition

Belfast

Address

Ulster Museum, Stranmillis Road, Botanic Gardens, Belfast, County Antrim, BT9 5AB

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9044 0000

info@nationalmuseumsni.org

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Exhibition

See Bill Kirk's photography in the first in a series of three exhibitions at the Ulster Museum, developed in partnership with Belfast Archive project.

Dates

From:

28 Mar 2025to22 June 2025Various Opening Times

Price
Free

More Info
The Enemy is Time

Belfast

Address

Ulster Museum, Stranmillis Road, Botanic Gardens, Belfast, County Antrim, BT9 5AB

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9044 0000

info@nationalmuseumsni.org

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Exhibition

Explore artists' responses to the climate crisis in a new exhibition in the Ulster Museum's Spotlight Gallery.

Dates

From:

10 Apr 2025to1 Mar 2026Various Opening Times

Price
Free

More Info
Lucian Freud's Etchings: A Creative Collaboration at Titanic Belfast

Belfast

Address

1 Olympic Way, Belfast, County Antrim, BT3 9EP

Telephone
+442890766386

welcome@titanicbelfast.com

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Exhibition

This summer, Titanic Belfast is thrilled to announce our partnership with the Victoria and Albert Museum to bring Lucian Freud Etchings: A Creative Collaboration to Titanic Belfast!

Dates

From:

2 May 2025to30 Sept 2025Open 10:00 - 17:00

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Harry Clarke - The Irishman Whose Stained Glass Windows Will Blow Your Mind!

Killyleagh

Address

23 High Street, Killyleagh, County Down, BT30 9QF

Telephone
07841337734

info@sirhanssloanecentre.co.uk

Price
Price £5.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Talks/Lectures

Historical Talk by Author & Historian Clive Scoular

Dates

From:
4 June 2025Open 19:00 - 20:00

Price
Price £5.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Behind the Scenes: Folk Life Collection Store

Holywood

Address

Ulster Folk Museum, 153 Bangor Road, Cultra, Holywood, County Down, BT18 0EU

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9042 8428

info@nationalmuseumsni.org

Price
Price £13.50 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Tour

Get behind the scenes and discover how museum objects are stored. Come along to this special tour of the Folk Life collection stores at the Ulster Folk Museum.

Dates

From:
20 June 2025Open 11:00 - 14:00

Price
Price £13.50 Per Ticket

More Info
The Archbishop's Palace Tour

Armagh

Address

The Archbishop's Palace, The Palace Demesne, Armagh, County Armagh, BT61 4EL

Telephone
0300 0300 900

info@visitarmagh.com

Price
Price £6.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Talks/Lectures

The Archbishop's tours take place on two Sundays per month in June, July, August at 2pm. The tour begins at the Palace, Armagh and lasts approximately 75 minutes and is suitable for age 8+. Parking is available adjacent to the Palace in the demesne.

Dates

From:

22 June 2025to31 Aug 2025Various Opening Times

Price
Price £6.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
DownTime SummerFest

Downpatrick

Address

Down County Museum, The Mall, Downpatrick, County Down, BT30 6AH

philip@downcommunityarts.org

Type

Type:

Festival

Downtime Summer Festival and family friendly festival in beautiful, historic Downpatrick

Dates

From:
28 June 2025

More Info
Stendhal Festival

Limavady

Address

Ballymully Cottage Farm, 61 Ballyavelin Road, Limavady, County Londonderry, BT49 0NQ

Telephone
+44 (0)7936 783 420

info@stendhalfestival.com

Type

Type:

Festival

Stendhal Festival is Northern Ireland's leading independent festival, celebrating all aspects of the arts. The event combines the best talents from the UK & Ireland with international performers in one of Northern Ireland's most scenic settings.

Dates

From:

4 July 2025to6 July 2025

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Fiddler's Green International Festival

Rostrevor

Address

Rostrevor, County Down, BT34 3AY

Telephone
+44 (0) 77 5252 8904

info@fiddlersgreenfestival.co.uk

Type

Type:

Festival

A wonderful festival of music, arts and culture held annually in July in Rostrevor, County Down.

Dates

From:

16 July 2025to20 July 2025

More Info
Ards and North Down Pipe Band and Drum Major Championships

Newtownards

Address

Regent House Playing Fields, Circular Road, Newtownards, County Down, BT23 4QA

Telephone
+44 (0)28 9182 6846

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Free Event

Enjoy an impressive display of sight and sound. Enjoy an impressive display of sight and sound, as talented pipe bands and drum major groups come together competing for coveted awards.

Dates

From:
19 July 2025Open 11:00 - 18:00

Price
Free

More Info
Féile An Phobail

Belfast

Address

141-143 Falls Road, Belfast, County Antrim, BT12 6AF

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9560 9984

info@feilebelfast.com

Type

Type:

Festival

Féile an Phobail is Ireland’s Biggest Community Arts Festival. Féile provides a programme of arts, cultural and community-based activities throughout the year, with its flagship festival, the August Féile being the highlight of Ireland’s festival…

Dates

From:

31 July 2025to10 Aug 2025

More Info
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
27 reviews
Steam Saturdays

Whitehead

Address

Whitehead Railway Museum, Excursion Station, Castleview Road, Whitehead, County Antrim, BT38 9NA

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9358 6200

info@steamtrainsireland.com

Type

Type:

St Patrick's Day

Visit Whitehead for a magical steam train ride and visit to Whitehead Railway Museum. Enjoy family-friendly activities and historic charm. Trains run every 30 minutes from 11:00 - 15:00.

Dates

From:
9 Aug 2025

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- Car parking
Facilities

Catering
- Restaurant on Premises
Belfast Mela

Belfast

Address

Botanic Gardens, Belfast, County Antrim, BT7 1LP

Telephone
028 9023 1381

admin@artsekta.org.uk

Type

Type:

Festival

Experience the wonder of Belfast's diversity with a spectacular 9 day programme of world music, dance, food and art across the city.

Dates

From:

16 Aug 2025to24 Aug 2025

More Info
Iúr Cinn Fleadh

Newry

Address

10 Barrack Street, Newry, County Down, BT35 6DA

Telephone
+44 (0) 77 5417 1130

info@newry2020.com

Type

Type:

Festival

Iúr Cinn Fleadh is a citywide festival promoting music, culture and the arts

Dates

From:

21 Aug 2025to25 Aug 2025Open 10:00 - 23:00

More Info
The HomePlace Storytelling Brunch: Cloak of Wisdom

Bellaghy

Address

Seamus Heaney HomePlace, 45 Main Street, Bellaghy, County Derry, BT45 8HT

Telephone
02879387444

seamusheaneyhome@midulstercouncil.org

Price
Price £22.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Literature

In this newly commissioned piece merging words and music, let yourself be wrapped in tales of land, birth, death, magic and madness.

Dates

From:
30 Aug 2025Open 12:00 - 14:00

Price
Price £22.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Tide and Turf Portavogie

Portavogie

Address

Fish Market and Harbour, Portavogie, County Down, BT22 1EB

Telephone
+44 (0)28 9182 6846

ardsvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Type

Type:

Food & Drink

The beautiful harbour village of Portavogie will host a celebration of delicious local produce as well as the Borough's finest food and drink on Saturday 6 September with Tide and Turf.

Dates

From:
6 Sept 2025Open 12:00 - 17:00

More Info
Comic Con NI 2025

Lisburn

Address

Eikon Exhibition Centre, Halftown Road, Lisburn, County Antrim, BT27 5RL

Telephone
02890665225

events@eikon.uk.com

Price
Price £29.70 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Exhibition

Eikon Exhibition Centre is set to welcome fans on 6th & 7th September 2025 for what promises to be the most epic Comic Con Northern Ireland year yet! After a couple of unforgettable years, this year's line-up is truly legendary.

Dates

From:

6 Sept 2025to7 Sept 2025Open 09:00 - 17:30

Price
Price £29.70 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking