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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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Number of results: 29

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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
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
Open House Festival

Bangor

Address

Bangor Castle Walled Garden, Bangor, County Down, BT20 4NB

Telephone
+44 028 9148 2053

info@openhousefestival.com

Type

Type:

Festival

Open House Festival Bangor includes a programme of free and ticketed events during July and August. There'll be ticketed music, comedy, and film events at Bangor Castle Walled Garden and The Court House.

Dates

From:

1 July 2025to31 Aug 2025

More Info
Meet our Astronomers at Armagh Observatory and Planetarium

Armagh

Address

Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, College Hill, Armagh, County Armagh, BT61 9DB

Telephone
+442837523689

reception@armagh.ac.uk

Type

Type:

Talks/Lectures

Why not drop into our data visualisation lab and see our astronomers at work! They will be showcasing some of the latest technologies that we have here.

Dates

From:

3 July 2025to28 Aug 2025Various Opening Times

More Info
Telescope Tuesdays at Armagh Planetarium

Armagh

Address

Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, College Hill, Armagh, County Armagh, BT61 9DB

Telephone
+442837523689

reception@armagh.ac.uk

Type

Type:

Talks/Lectures

Join Dr Rok and our PhD students this summer. Our historic Calver Telescope will be on full display for all to see and interact with. Experience the human orrery and find out how planets and comets move around the Sun.

Dates

From:

8 July 2025to26 Aug 2025Various Opening Times

More Info
Royal Style in the Making

Royal Hillsborough

Address

Hillsborough Castle and Gardens, Government House, The Square, Royal Hillsborough, County Down, BT26 6AG

Telephone
0333 320 6000

hillsboroughcastle@hrp.org.uk

Type

Type:

Exhibition

Uncover the style secrets of Britain's royal women at Hillsborough Castle.

Dates

From:

5 Aug 2025to4 Jan 2026Open 11:00 - 15:30

More Info
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 in Newry City promoting music, culture and the arts.

Dates

From:

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

More Info
Ulster Museum Late

Belfast

Address

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

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9044 0000

info@nationalmuseumsni.org

Price
Price £10.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Entertainment

Discover the Ulster Museum collections after dark with an evening of music, food and dance on Thursday 21st August!

Dates

From:
21 Aug 2025Open 18:30 - 22:30

Price
Price £10.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Museum Moments

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:

Talks/Lectures

Get insights into fascinating topics and objects from our collection in these free 20-minute talks from a range of museum experts!

Dates

From:
21 Aug 2025Open 13:00 - 13:15

Price
Free

More Info
Museum Moments: The Master of Glass: Dale Chihuly with Kim Mawhinney, Senior Curator of Art

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:

Talks/Lectures

Get insights into fascinating topics and objects from the Ulster Museum collections in free 20-minute talks from a range of museum experts!

Dates

From:
21 Aug 2025Open 13:00 - 13:30

Price
Free

More Info
Conservation Detection Dogs with CEDaR

Holywood

Address

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

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9042 8428

info@nationalmuseumsni.org

Price
Price £15.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Workshop

Learn about the use of detection dogs in conservation at the Ulster Folk Museum.

Dates

From:
26 Aug 2025Open 10:00 - 13:00

Price
Price £15.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Mourne Chamber Music Festival

Newcastle

Address

Newcastle Community Cinema, St Mary's Hall, Main Street, Newcastle, County Down, BT33 0AD

Telephone
+44 (0) 754 830 424

mourne.cmf@outlook.com

Price
Price £15.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Live Music

Mourne Chamber Music Festival welcomes a group of young professional musicians from Northern Ireland and further afield to perform chamber music in the beautiful setting of Newcastle Community Cinema. This year’s programme includes a variety of…

Dates

From:

28 Aug 2025to30 Aug 2025Various Opening Times

Price
Price £15.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Catering
- Licensed
Facilities

Accessibility
- Ramp / Level Access
Shakespeare on the Hill: A Midsummer Night's Dream

Dungannon

Address

26 Market Square, Dungannon, County Tyrone, BT70 1AB

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 8772 8600

ranfurly@midulstercouncil.org

Price
Price £18.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Theatre

Shakespeare comes to Hill of The O'Neill in Dungannon for the very first time, as Mid Ulster District Council in partnership with Bardic Theatre brings the timeless magic of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' to one of Mid Ulster's most historic and iconic…

Dates

From:

29 Aug 2025to30 Aug 2025Open 19:30 - 22:00

Price
Price £18.00 Per Ticket

More Info
A Bite and Sup

Bellaghy

Address

Seamus Heaney HomePlace, 45 Main Street, Bellaghy, County Derry, BT458HT

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 7938 7444

seamusheaneyhome@midulstercouncil.org

Price
Price £55.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Tour

We are thrilled to introduce a brand-new experience for Summer 2025 at Seamus Heaney HomePlace — A Bite and Sup, a thoughtfully curated tour that weaves together poetry, place, and local flavours to celebrate the life and legacy of Seamus Heaney.

Dates

From:
29 Aug 2025Open 12:30 - 18:00

Price
Price £55.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Exhibition Tour: Art of the Possible

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:

Tour

Enjoy a guided tour of the 'Art of the Possible: Ten Years of Collecting International Applied Art' exhibition at the Ulster Museum.

Dates

From:
30 Aug 2025Open 14:00 - 14:45

Price
Free

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
Homes in Focus: Coshkib Hill Farm

Holywood

Address

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

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9042 8428

info@nationalmuseumsni.org

Price
Price £13.50 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Talks/Lectures

Learn about the history of Coshkib Hill Farm at the Ulster Folk Museum on Saturday 6th September.

Dates

From:
6 Sept 2025Open 11:30 - 12:30

Price
Price £13.50 Per Ticket

More Info