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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: 17

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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
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
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
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
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
'We're All Mad Here' An evening with Keith Drury and Emer Maguire

Parliament Building, Belfast

Address

The Long Gallery, Stormont, Parliament Building, Belfast, County Down, BT4 3XX

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 9065 6007

gary@keithdruryart.com

Price
Price £10.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Exhibition

Inspired by Lewis Carroll's 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland', the exhibition 'We're All Mad Here' addresses themes of neurodiversity and mental health. Save the date for an unforgettable evening celebrating life, art, and the diversity of human…

Dates

From:
9 Sept 2025Open 19:00 - 21:00

Price
Price £10.00 Per Ticket

More Info
A Legion of Wollstonecrafts: Radical Women of the 1790s

Belfast

Address

Clifton House, 2 North Queen Street, Belfast, County Antrim, BT15 1ES

Telephone
028 9099 7022

info@cliftonbelfast.org.uk

Price
Price £6.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Talks/Lectures

In a letter written in 1799 the writer Mary Robinson wrote: 'It requires a legion of Wollstonecrafts to undermine the poisons of prejudice and malevolence'. Wollstonecraft was an outspoken advocate of the rights of women, children and men in the…

Dates

From:
11 Sept 2025Open 13:00 - 14:15

Price
Price £6.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Chilli Festival 2025

Bangor

Address

Bangor Castle Walled Garden, Valentine Road, Bangor, County Down, BT20 4BT

andparks@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk

Type

Type:

Festival

Part of Taste Autumn in AND | Things are hotting up in Bangor Castle Walled Garden for the Chilli Festival in September, showcasing many different varieties of chilli plants from around the world, local food producers, live music, activities for all…

Dates

From:

13 Sept 2025to14 Sept 2025Open 12:00 - 16:00

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Arts Across Belfast Bus Tour

Belfast

Address

The MAC (Foyer), 10 Exchange Street West, Belfast, County Antrim, BT1 2NJ

Telephone
+44 (0) 7305 754028

creativetoursbelfast@gmail.com

Type

Type:

Tour

Explore the vibrant heart of Belfast’s arts and culture scene on a fun and inspiring half-day coach tour with Creative Tours Belfast! The tour includes four visits to arts centres, a live music performance and a light lunch.

Dates

From:
21 Sept 2025Open 10:20 - 14:30
From:
19 Oct 2025Open 10:20 - 14:30
From:
16 Nov 2025Open 10:20 - 14:30
From:
18 Jan 2026Open 10:20 - 14:30
From:
22 Feb 2026Open 10:20 - 14:30

More Info
Beginnings – The Opening of the Poorhouse

Belfast

Address

Clifton House, 2 North Queen Street, Belfast, County Antrim, BT15 1ES

Telephone
028 9099 7022

info@cliftonbelfast.org.uk

Price
Price £6.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Talks/Lectures

In 1774 the Poorhouse opened and an Act of the Irish Parliament appointed a President and eight Assistants to the Belfast Charitable Society. They represented landowners, public representatives and churches. Who were these individuals and how did…

Dates

From:
25 Sept 2025Open 19:00 - 20:15

Price
Price £6.00 Per Ticket

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
National Poetry Day

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:

Literature

Celebrate National Poetry Day in the Discovery Centres at the Ulster Museum.

Dates

From:
2 Oct 2025Open 14:00 - 16:30

Price
Free

More Info
Stargazing Evening

Armagh

Address

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

Telephone
+(0) 28 3752 3689

reception@armagh.ac.uk

Type

Type:

Talks/Lectures

Join Armagh Observatory and Planetarium for a series of Stargazing evenings. For each session we will have a team of experts to help you navigate the night sky using our telescopes (weather depending) along with a dome show in our digital theatre…

Dates

From:
31 Oct 2025Open 19:00 - 21:00
From:
28 Nov 2025Open 19:00 - 21:00
From:
11 Dec 2025Open 19:00 - 21:00
From:
16 Dec 2025Open 19:00 - 21:00
From:
23 Jan 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
From:
13 Feb 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
From:
20 Feb 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
From:
20 Mar 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- Car parking
- On site parking
- Parking (free)
Facilities

Accessibility
- Ramp / Level Access
- Ramp to main entrance
Facilities

Establishment Features
- Wifi
- Wi-fi available
Knit + Stitch

Lisburn

Address

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

Telephone
02890665225

events@eikon.uk.com

Type

Type:

Craft

Knit + Stitch is the UK's Biggest and best textile craft show!

Dates

From:

13 Nov 2025to16 Nov 2025Various Opening Times

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:

15 July 2026to19 July 2026

More Info