Bored in Belfast

Saturday 31 October in Belfast

Belfast times. Last refreshed Fri 18:46.

Saturday 31 October 96 listings

09:00

Pumpkin Patch City Hall

City Hall grounds · Family
Buy tickets for a pumpkin-filled adventure. Children and adults can choose from over 1,000 pumpkins. During the events, there will be ample space and time to pick the perfect pumpkin. Pumpkin Patch tickets There are three types of ticket: child ticket for children aged between two and 18 years old, this ticket includes a pumpkin to take home adult ticket for over 18 years old, this ticket includes a pumpkin to take home general entry ticket to attend the event but doesn't include a pumpkin Admission is free for children under two years old. You can buy tickets on Belfast One (link opens in new window) from Thursday 8 October at 10am.
Venue listing
09:30

Ulster Hall Tours Sold out

Ulster Hall · Talks & books
Go behind the scenes with an exclusive guided tour of the iconic Ulster Hall in Belfast on 31 October 2026! Don’t miss your chance to experience first-hand a behind-the-scenes exclusive tour of one of Northern Ireland’s most iconic entertainment venues. This unique and exclusive guided tour will bring to life the stories behind this beautiful building which has been the heart of the Belfast’s cultural and political landscape for nearly two centuries. From Rock legends to State visits, political rallies to boxing brilliance, the Ulster Hall has seen it all. It has been the launch point for countless careers in showbusiness and features some of the city’s most ornate frescos and portraits, each with its own unique history. The capacity of our tours are limited so book early to avoid disappointment.
£12.50Tickets & info
10:00

CHAMBER BABIES aw26

Island Arts Centre · Lisburn · Music
Sat 31 Oct | Sat 12 Dec 10am-10.50am Age: up to 18 months Walk, sway, crawl or chill to live classical music performed by professional musicians. Guaranteed to engage and enchant or even soothe little ones to sleep! Dates: Saturday 31 Oct | Saturday 12 Dec Time: 10am-10.50am Age: up to 18 months Cost: £9 (one baby with adult) | Additional Space £6 Walk, sway, crawl or chill to live classical music performed by professional musicians. Guaranteed to engage and enchant or even soothe little ones to sleep!
Venue listing
10:00

Death, Tragedy & Betrayal: The Darker Side of Clifton Street Cemetery (Tour) Sold out

Clifton House · Tours
Explore Clifton Street Cemetery this Halloween weekend and discover its darker side! Opened in 1797 as the ‘New Burying Ground’ there are many tales to be told here. Death, Tragedy & Betrayal focuses on the ‘darker side’ of the Cemetery’s history. From the infamous body snatchers which plagued the Cemetery in its opening decades and the drastic actions taken to curb this lucrative trade, to the burial of murder victims, hangings and other tragic deaths! Due to the nature of the content parental discretion is advised. Booking in advance is essential. Planning your visit: Meet at Clifton House, and our guide will lead you to the Cemetery Please arrive 10 minutes before the start of your tour Guided tours last approx. 90 mins, which includes the journey time to and from the Cemetery from Clifton House. Free car parking onsite at Clifton House Please advise in advance of any accessibility requirements as the ground of the Cemetery is uneven and there is limited seating. For more information on the accessibility of our Cemetery tours, please visit https://cliftonbelfast.com/visit/accessibility/ Cancellations & Refund Policy – Cancellations must be made within 24 hours of scheduled tour start time.
£11.50–12.50Tickets & info
10:00

Fangtastic Fun

2 Royal Avenue · Family · Games & social · Workshops & classes
Belfast BID One Enjoy a Spooktacular weekend at 2 Royal Avenue filled with Halloween fun and surprises. Take part in pumpkin decorating, monster mask craft workshop, spooky storytelling, facepainting, walkabout characters and a Halloween disco. You might even spot a monster outside... Free. Find out more here
Venue listing
10:30

Rhythm and Rhyme (Saturday)

Lisburn City Library · Lisburn · Family
Every Saturday from 10:30am - 11:00am Drop in session - no booking required Rhythm and Rhyme is an exciting free programme to introduce children aged 0 - 4 years to the wonder of rhymes, songs and stories in the library. Rhythm and Rhyme is a great opportunity for children to have fun and learn in a relaxed venue while giving parents and carers the chance to socialise. Ask staff for details t: 028 9266 9345 e: lisburncity.library@librariesni.org.uk
Freeaged 0 - 4 yearsVenue listing
10:30

Spooky Stories and Creations

Suffolk Library · West Belfast · Family
Celebrate Halloween with us at Suffolk Library! Stay for some spooky treats with some lovely stories and create your own puppet to take home - you can make skeletons, witches, vampires and everything in between. There is something for everyone! Booking not required t: 028 9050 9235 e: Suffolk.library@librariesni.org.uk
Venue listing
11:00

Build-A-Beast: Halloween Drama Workshop

Ormeau Road Library · Workshops & classes
Join us for a spooktacular Build-A-Beast Drama Workshop! Create your own unique beast using a variety of craft materials. What will your creature eat? Where will it live? What special powers will it have? Come dressed in your favourite Halloween costume and get ready for a fun-filled session of stories, drama and fancy-dress fun! Everyone welcome; Children under 8 years old must be accompanied by an adult. t: 028 9050 9228 e: ormeauroad.library@librariesni.org.uk
Venue listing
11:00

CHAMBER CHERUBS aw26

Island Arts Centre · Lisburn · Music
Sat 31 Oct | Sat 12 Dec 11am-11.50am Age: 1-3 Walk, sway, crawl or chill to live classical music performed by professional musicians. Guaranteed to engage and enchant or even soothe little ones to sleep! For the day that is – dressing up is encouraged! Dates: Saturday 31 Oct* | Saturday 12 Dec Time: 11am-11.50am Age: 1-3 Cost: £9 (one child with adult) | Additional Space £6 Walk, sway, crawl or chill to live classical music performed by professional musicians. Guaranteed to engage and enchant or even soothe little ones to sleep! *For the day that is - dressing up is encouraged!
Venue listing
11:00

Children's Games

Holywood Library · Holywood · Games & social
Come and play some family friendly games. Suitable for children aged 4-9 years; children must be accompanied by an adult. Every Thursday from 5:00pm - 6:00pm. Every Saturday from 11:00am - 1:00pm. Everyone welcome.
for children aged 4-9 years; Children require an accompanying adultVenue listing
11:00

Cinemagic: Room on the Broom + Halloween Storytelling with the Hallow Queen

Queen's Film Theatre · South Belfast · Film
A kind witch invites a collection of animals to join her on her broom, though her cat thinks it will get too crowded. Her new friends make themselves useful, however, when the witch is threatened by a fearsome dragon. J oin ‘The Hallow Queen’ for spooky Halloween Storytelling - With stories of glorious witches and ghouls! She’s spectacular, tacky and follows no rules. She captivates all, with her tales rather tall , For the Fall festival, she’s the belle of the ball! She has no sense of smell, but knows lots of spells…How? …eh …well…She can’t tell. She’s The Queen of Halloween! Hallow Queen! (Definitely not a Witch!). Total Event Running Time: 1hr Content warning: This film presentation contains flashing images which may affect viewers who are susceptible to photosensitive epilepsy. The 3 7 th Cinemagic Film Festival runs throughout October -November in venues across Belfast, packed with new international films, workshops, education programmes, special events and Q&As to inspire young audiences. Visit cinemagic.org.uk for more details.
UTickets & info
11:00

Monster Mash: Halloween Special

The MAC · City centre · Family
Details Get ready to Monster Mash at the MAC this Halloween! Bring the whole family along for a spooktacular morning packed with fun, creativity and entertainment. Enjoy exciting circus performances, magical storytelling and hands-on Halloween arts and crafts for little monsters of all ages. Children can also get into the Halloween spirit with spooky face painting and plenty of opportunities to make, play and explore. Come dressed up in your favourite Halloween costume and join us for a monstrously good time at the MAC!
FreeVenue listing
11:00

Storytime

Newtownbreda Library · South Belfast · Family
Every Saturday from 11:00am - 11:30am. Book on the Monday prior to the session. Storytime sessions help children aged 4 - 8 years develop a love of books, improve their listening skills, inspire creativity and feeds their imagination. Join our friendly staff as they read popular books and introduce children to a whole range of different authors.
aged 4 - 8 yearsVenue listing
11:30

Competition Shorts – Programme #1

Queen's Film Theatre · South Belfast · Film · Belfast Film Festival
Competition Shorts – Programme #1 Dir. Ais Brady, 10mins Alor is young and frustrated, trying to figure out life while awkwardly drifting through parties with a mask covering her face. When she meets the charismatic Timur, the possibility of a life unencumbered by façades and shame changes her perception forever. A sweet and tender drama about embracing the beauty of life in all its forms, even a scarf blowing in the breeze of the night. Dir. Hannah Mamalis, 14 mins Anna’s life is coming to an end. But don’t worry too much, another Anna will replace her. Feeling wistful in her final moments, Anna writes a letter for her successor containing her observations, her advice, her humble pleasures and her guilty pleasures. Director Hannah Mamalis distils the sweet absurdities of modern life into this surreal fable, perhaps you too will learn something along the way. Dir. Will Peppercorn, 11mins A plucky young journalist is looking for a good-news story. Instead he stumbles upon a viciously bitter feud between two neighbouring farmers. Spotting an opportunity, the eternal optimist seeks to bury the hatchet between these rural rivals and return to the newspaper victorious. Michael Smiley and Paddy Jenkins star as the fierce farmers stuck in a hubristic clash of personalities. Dir. Sarah Gordon, 12mins Mary gets accused of being a witch. The rumour spreads like wildfire and she must defend herself against a rabble of restless villagers looking for any excuse to burn something at the stake. This scathing tale of small-town minds meeting the dangerous force of mob mentality is very timely, despite its brilliantly realised period setting.
Tickets & info
11:30

Saturday Storytime

Suffolk Library · West Belfast · Family
Every Saturday from 11:30am. Storytime sessions help children aged 4 - 8 years develop a love of books, improve their listening skills, inspire creativity and feeds their imagination. Join our friendly staff as they read popular books and introduce children to a whole range of different authors.
aged 4 - 8 yearsVenue listing
12:00

Quiet Hour Lego

Glengormley Library · Newtownabbey · Family
Come along and enjoy a quiet hour Lego with sensory play in mind. Stay for a bit of play and enjoy the sensory equipment available. Socialise with other parents, carers and guardians after and enjoy. Meets the Last Saturday of every month. Booking Essential. t: 028 9083 3797 e: glengormley.library@librariesni.org.uk
Venue listing
13:00

*GALL-O-WEEN* Sat 31st Oct @ Revolucion de Cuba, Belfast

Revolución de Cuba · Food & drink · Music
Let's Go Girls! We are back in the magnificent Revolucion de Cuba and this will deffo sell out!! Doors open 1pm. All tickets include a drink on entry. We don’t reserve tables, we recommend customers who want a table to be queuing outside the venue AT LEAST 30 mins prior to doors opening to be in with a chance get a seat. We can’t wait to see you there! R.O.A.R. *Welcome drinks are served on entry and will cease at 3pm
£2418+Tickets & info
13:00

Haunted Hallowe'en Hunt & Paper Pumpkin Crafting

Belfast Central Library · Family
Create your own Hallowe'en paper pumpkins and take part in our haunted Hallowe'en hunt. Children are welcome to take home their creations. All materials are supplied by the library. Costumes greatly encouraged! Event is suitable from age 4. Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Booking not essential. Make sure to check out our other Hallowe'en events this week! t: 028 9050 9150 e: Belfast_Central_Library@librariesni.org.uk
age 4; Children require an accompanying adultVenue listing
13:20

Dracula (1958)

Queen's Film Theatre · South Belfast · Film
Hammer Films in partnership with Warner Bros resurrects Dracula in a landmark new 4K restoration featuring long-lost footage unseen for over 60 years. Opposite Peter Cushing's fearless Van Helsing, Christopher Lee brought a terrifying physicality and seductive menace to the role that would redefine the Count for generations. When Jonathan Harker arrives at a remote Transylvanian castle, he discovers that his mysterious host, Count Dracula, is a centuries-old vampire who feeds upon the blood of the living. As Dracula's reign of terror spreads across Europe, the determined Professor Van Helsing embarks on a desperate battle to destroy the Prince of Darkness before more innocent lives are claimed. Screenings include cinema exclusive short film (10 mins) exploring the film's restoration, featuring an introduction from John Gore.
12ATickets & info
13:30

BFF: Spider Baby

The Black Box · Main Room · City centre · Film
Spider Baby, otherwise known as The Maddest Story Ever Told, features horror stars Lon Chaney Jr. and Sid Haig in a bizarre cult-classic that twists tales like The Addams Family into depraved directions. In a lonesome dilapidated house, chauffeur Bruno cares for the Merrye children, all affected by a degenerative illness. When money-grubbing relatives visit unannounced to claim the house as their own, the Merrye family take action into their own hands. After the screening, we will be joined by Disability Action Research Kollective member Aaliyah Bates and artist and disability activist Deirdre McKenna for a panel discussion exploring how horror can act as reflection of social fears, or as a site of reclamation. This film features negative caricatures of people with disabilities and ableist behaviour.
£6Tickets & info
13:30

Spider Baby & Post Screening Discussion

The Black Box · City centre · Film · Belfast Film Festival
Spider Baby, otherwise known as The Maddest Story Ever Told, features horror stars Lon Chaney Jr. and Sid Haig in a bizarre cult-classic that twists tales like The Addams Family into depraved directions. In a lonesome dilapidated house, chauffeur Bruno cares for the Merrye children, all affected by a degenerative illness. When money-grubbing relatives visit unannounced to claim the house as their own, the Merrye family take action into their own hands. After the screening, we will be joined by Disability Action Research Kollective member Aaliyah Bates and artist and disability activist Deirdre McKenna for a panel discussion exploring how horror can act as reflection of social fears, or as a site of reclamation. Please note this film features negative caricatures of people with disabilities and ableist behaviour. This screening is a Relaxed (RS) event with subtitles for d/Deaf and hard of hearing (SDH). There will be BSL signing for the panel discussion.
Tickets & info
14:00

Eoin McNamee

The MAC · The Studio · City centre · Talks & books
Details Eoin McNamee presents his new short story collection, The Comets . The Comets is a richly textured collection of stories, set in Ireland and Northern Ireland, that explore working-class lives teetering on the borderlands between violence and love. McNamee tells these haunted stories with precision and care, cementing again his position as one of the most loved literary stylists of contemporary Irish writing. The author of eight novels including Resurrection Man and The Bureau , McNamee has been nominated for theMan Booker Prize, and has won the Kerry Fiction Prize and the CWA Steel Dagger. Liam McIllvaney said of McNamee's prose that it has the 'cadenced majesty of McCarthy or DeLillo, but the vision it enacts is all his own.' Most recently, Eoin was part of the writers room for Netflix’s Vikings Valhalla series. Programmed as part of the Belfast International Arts Festival.
£7.50–9.50Tickets & info
14:00

ROCK’N QUO – a tribute to Status Quo

The Deer's Head · City centre · Music
Get ready to rock the afternoon away at The Deer’s Head on October 31, 2026 at 2:00 PM (BST) ! This debut gig promises a fantastic tribute to Status Quo, with the added bonus of support from the equally fantastic Chris Taplin Band . Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just looking for a great time, this event will have you tapping your feet and singing along. Don’t miss out on an afternoon of classic rock vibes and fresh talent all under one roof!
£15Tickets & info
14:30

Competition Shorts – Programme #3

Queen's Film Theatre · South Belfast · Film · Belfast Film Festival
Competition Shorts – Programme #3 Dir. Alan Hopkins, 16mins An injured teenager arrives at the door of a nurse and her boyfriend. While she tends to his wounds, her boyfriend becomes inundated with messages and tweets and stories and videos of hate and conspiracy and violence. According to his algorithm, this boy is the reason for it all, and mobs begin appearing at their front door. This timely drama has its finger on the pulse of our hate-inflicted age of paranoia, striking right at the pit of the stomach. Dir. Roisin Agnew, 8mins The subversive history of bogs in Ireland becomes a call to action, as the poisonous spread of data centres across the island is considered and resisted. Blending archive footage with 3D visuals, the film brilliantly reveals how the tendrils of colonialism have bled their way into the building blocks of capitalism forecasting a bleak future, one ruled over by parasitic machines hellbent on draining the environment/the culture/the world of energy & ideas. Dir. Liadán Roche, 16mins As Dublin cannibalises itself out to private interests and shady corporations, two trans lovers find an unexpected solution to the Irish housing crisis. It may not be permanent, but it’ll do for the night. Sexy and surreal, the film dives into the phantasmagoric unknown of mystic ‘third spaces’ and the innate horror of trying to live in a city that doesn’t care about you. Dir. Conor Kehelly, 9mins You go for a simple pint, sipping down that sweet nectar, when a peevish punter takes issue with the cut of your jib. From the perspective of a pint glass, a minor argument becomes a cosmic destruction of the self and a reckoning with the towering figure of the ‘old Irish fella’ in Irish culture. Where some people find Jesus at the bottom of a bottle, Kehelly discovers richly comic yet poignant material, rendering his findings through a beautifully anarchic animation style.
Tickets & info
14:30

FAITH HEALER Sold out

Lyric Theatre · MAIN STAGE · Theatre & dance
Selling Fast FAITH HEALER A Lyric Theatre Production | Presented as part of the Belfast International Arts Festival Tickets & Info Sat 10 Oct - Sat 14 Nov 2026 Preview SAT 10 OCT - TUE 13 OCT 2026 Press Night WED 14 OCT 2026 14:30 | 19:30 £16-£40 Main Stage BOOK NOW Classic - Suitable for 14+ Running time: Act One: 1 Hour 20 minutes Interval: 20 Minutes Act Two: 1 Hour 5 minutes Written by Brian Friel Directed by Emma Jordan This production includes a content warning. Ableist slurs / Reference to self harm or suicide / Reference to violence / Strong or offensive language / reference to miscarriage Show Less Learn More Social Story Our Social Story has been created to support visitors who may benefit from knowing what to expect before attending the show. It offers a friendly, step-by-step overview of the theatre experience, from arriving at the venue to enjoying the performance. Download Now Performance Accessibility Audio Described More information on the Audio Described Performance 08 NOV 14:30 Close Audio Described Performances Audio Described performances give you a live commentary about the action happening on the stage. It’s a great way for anyone who finds it difficult to see the details of a performance to still enjoy coming to the theatre. More information. Captioned Performance More information on the Captioned Performance 11 NOV 19:30 Close Captioned Performance Captioning converts the spoken word into text that provides people with hearing loss access to live performance. In captioning, the words appear on a screen at the same time as they are sung or spoken. Signed Performance More information on the Signed Performance 29 OCT 19:30 Close Signed Performance During a signed performance a BSL and ISL interpreter stand at the side of the stage, clearly visible to the audience, and interpret the spoken word and sound effects for d/Deaf patrons. Discounts and Offers Lyric+ Discount 2-for-1 on Previews (31 Jan)* 10% Discount on Tuesday and Wednesday performances* Learn More *Subject to Membership Tier and T&Cs. Multibuy Offer Our multibuy offer gives the best value for money across Lyric main stage shows. Book 3 or more main stage shows at once and save 15% on all B&C tickets Learn More *Subject to availability Community, Artist & Student Discount Community groups, Artists & Students can enjoy £16 tickets for Lyric Theatre-produced shows on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and matinees. Learn More Become A LYRIC+ MEMBER Become A LYRIC+ MEMBER Enjoy priority booking at the best prices, 2 For 1 tickets and exclusive benefits. BECOME A MEMBER One of Brian Friel’s most enduring plays, Faith Healer returns in a production that brings together three acclaimed Northern Irish actors, Conleth Hill, Lisa Dwyer Hogg and Chris McCurry. Faith Healer weaves an extraordinary tale of a travelling healer who, after making his way through Wales and Scotland, returns to his homeland of Ireland in the hope of regaining his fading powers. Frank Hardy offers miracle cures to the sick and suffering, but as a man who is part showman, part shaman, his gift is astonishing and dangerously unreliable. Frank, his wife Grace, and his manager Teddy, each recounts their shared life on the road. As their memories clash and competing versions of the past emerge, Friel’s spellbinding prose crafts a powerful and haunting exploration of memory, belief and the stories we tell. Hailed by The Guardian (2024) as one of the greatest plays of the twentieth century, this play has captivated audiences internationally since its 1979 Broadway premiere. Experience the compelling revival of Friel’s masterpiece return to Belfast as part of the Lyric Theatre’s 75th anniversary season. "A quietly devastating study of pain recollected and the transfiguring nature of memory. It is one of those rare works of art audiences are destined to recall as a deeply personal experience, and you'll find yourself trying to sort out the different visions of reality… long after the play is over." — The New York Times The Company Lisa Dwyer Hogg Grace Conleth Hill Frank Hardy Chris McCurry Teddy Brian Friel Writer Emma Jordan Director Stuart Marshall Set Designer Paul Keogan Lighting Designer Enda Kenny Costume Designer Garth McConaghie Composer & Sound Designer Close Date & Times Date & Times Date Time Fri 30 Oct 2026 19:30 Limited Availability Sat 31 Oct 2026 14:30 Sold Out Sat 31 Oct 2026 19:30 Choose seats Sun 01 Nov 2026 14:30 Limited Availability Tue 03 Nov 2026 19:30 Choose seats Wed 04 Nov 2026 19:30 Choose seats Thu 05 Nov 2026 14:30 Choose seats Thu 05 Nov 2026 19:30 Choose seats Fri 06 Nov 2026 19:30 Limited Availability Sat 07 Nov 2026 14:30 Sold Out Sat 07 Nov 2026 19:30 Limited Availability Sun 08 Nov 2026 14:30 Audio Described Choose seats Tue 10 Nov 2026 19:30 Choose seats Wed 11 Nov 2026 19:30 Captioned Choose seats Thu 12 Nov 2026 14:30 Choose seats Thu 12 Nov 2026 19:30 Choose seats Fri 13 Nov 2026 19:30 Limited Availability Sat 14 Nov 2026 14:30 Limited Availability Sat 14 Nov 2026 19:30 Limited Availability Reviews “One of the best productions of Faith Healer you’re ever likely to see” “Luminous revival of Brian Friel's Masterpiece” “Beautifully Crafted”
14+Venue listing
15:30

Wicker

Queen's Film Theatre · South Belfast · Film
Alex Huston Fischer and Eleanor Wilson’s wonderfully eccentric fable is, at its core, a gentle love story starring Olivia Colman, Alexander Skarsgård and Peter Dinklage. On the outskirts of a village by the sea, lives a Fisherwoman; smelly, single and perpetually ridiculed. One day, fed up with her stuffy, small-minded neighbours, she commissions herself a husband to be made from wicker. In an otherwise conservative town, this unconventional romance sparks outrage, jealousy and chaos.
15Tickets & info
16:00

Bel Trew: From the Front Lines

The MAC · The Studio · City centre · Talks & books
Details Bel Trew is The Independent's multi award-winning Chief International Correspondent, documentary filmmaker, commentator and photographer. Born and raised in the Gulf and Eastern Europe, Bel has covered some of the biggest conflicts and crises of our time since the start of the Arab Spring in 2011. She is a documentary filmmaker, specialising in uncovering evidence of international law violations and the plight of civilians, making films that range from the disappeared in Ukraine war to the deadly impact of unprecedented aid cuts in sub-Saharan Africa. Bel was named Foreign Reporter of the Year at the UK Press Awards and also won the Marie Colvin Award. She has lived across the world from Cairo to Berlin. Her forthcoming book focuses on reframing war reporting by telling the stories of crises and conflict through the eyes and experiences of the extraordinary ordinary people forced to endure it. Age Guidance: 14+ Programmed as part of the Belfast International Arts Festival.
£7.50–9.5014+Tickets & info
Open

EXHIBITION-A HOUSE OF PLAY: 75 Years of the Lyric Theatre

Lyric Theatre · Exhibitions
A HOUSE OF PLAY | Exhibition A Lyric Theatre Belfast Exhibition Tickets & Info FRI 30 JAN - SUN 08 NOV 2026 10:00 - 15:00 BOOK NOW An Exhibition and Programme of Events to Celebrate a Landmark Anniversary. Discover the people, ideas and creative collaborations that have shaped the Lyric Theatre over 75 remarkable years. A House of Play celebrates the Lyric’s rich history and enduring role in the cultural life of Northern Ireland, tracing its journey from an intimate studio in the O’Malley family home to the award-winning theatre on Ridgeway Street. Through archival treasures, literary voices, artistic expression and the stories of those who brought the Lyric to life, explore a legacy built on imagination, experimentation and community — and discover how its past continues to inspire the future. Lyric Players Meet the people who made the Lyric. From founders Mary O’Malley and Alice Berger Hammerschlag to celebrated writers, performers and artists, discover the visionaries, collaborators and unsung heroes whose talent and dedication have shaped the theatre’s distinctive spirit across generations. Threshold Step into the pages of Threshold , the Lyric’s influential literary journal, published from 1957 to 1990. Explore rare editions, manuscripts, letters and artwork, and discover the writers and ideas that helped shape Ireland’s literary landscape, including early work by Seamus Heaney and Paul Muldoon. New Gallery Discover the Lyric’s enduring relationship with visual art. Celebrating the theatre’s commitment to artistic collaboration, this section explores how visual artists have contributed to its creative identity, bringing new perspectives, ideas and inspiration into the world of theatre. The Playhouse Trace the Lyric’s remarkable journey from its beginnings in Mary and Pearse O’Malley’s home in 1951 to the award-winning theatre of today. Experience a recreation of the original studio space and explore the milestones, ambition and collective endeavour that transformed an intimate gathering place into a cornerstone of Northern Ireland’s cultural life. A House Of Play is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery Players. Read Less Read More Credits Patsy McCartan & Matthew Maw Curators Patsy McCartan Heritage Manager Claire Murray & Emma Brennan Project Leads Naomi Johnston Interpretation Design Brian Delaney of Tom Caldwell Installations Installation of artworks Stuart Marshall Set Design Catherine Kodicek Costume Mounter Garth McConaghie Music and Sound Design Arthur Oliver-Brown Production Manager Jonny Daley Lighting Design Kerri McGimpsey Stage Manager Declan Paxton Technician Lyric Scene Shop Set Build Amanda Coogan & Kristina Laverty ISL/BSL Interpreters With Thanks Conor O’Malley, NUI Galway, Ulster Museum, Seamus Heaney Homeplace, The Linen Hall, Moya Osborne (on behalf of Jean Osborne), Anne Friel, Colin Davidson, Neil Shawcross, Dickon Hall, Michael & Barbara Lagan, Robert Walsh, RTÉ Archives, BBC NI, Below the Radar TV, Doubleband Films, Seamus Heaney Centre at Queen's, Seamus Heaney Estate, W&G Baird, Walk on Air Films, Donegal County Museum Off The Wall Creatives Interpretive panel print and installation Close Date & Times Date & Times Date Time Sat 31 Oct 2026 10:00 Choose seats Sun 01 Nov 2026 10:00 Choose seats Tue 03 Nov 2026 10:00 Choose seats Wed 04 Nov 2026 10:00 Choose seats Thu 05 Nov 2026 10:00 Choose seats Fri 06 Nov 2026 10:00 Choose seats Sat 07 Nov 2026 10:00 Choose seats Sun 08 Nov 2026 10:00 Choose seats
FreeVenue listing

Ongoing 12

Until1 Dec

‘Art of the Possible’

Ulster Museum · South Belfast · Exhibitions
Over the past decade, the Ulster Museum has collected a significant number of important artworks from around the world—many of which have never been seen by the public until now. Art of the Possible features over 40 artworks made from glass, ceramics, silver, metalwork, jewellery, and wood. These works were created by some of the most talented and important artists and designers working in these materials today.
FreeTickets & info
Until1 Nov

A Thirst for Silver exhibition

Craft NI Gallery · Exhibitions
Visit an exhibition of original works by 50 silversmiths. The exhibition is a focus on the silver beaker. Each maker has interpreted it in a distinctive way, from traditional techniques and meticulous craftsmanship to contemporary experimentation and individual artistic expression. Among the exhibitors are five local silversmiths: Cara Murphy Stuart Cairns Samantha Moore Claire Mooney, and Michael McCrory. The exhibition is free and launches during Late Night Art . For more information on Craft NI exhibitions, go to Craft NI (link opens in new window).
FreeTickets & info
Until1 Nov

NEW WORK John Carson

Golden Thread Gallery · Exhibitions · Belfast International Arts Festival
Launch : Saturday 12th September 1pm-3pm Dates : 12th September – 31st October 2026 Gallery : Lower Gallery In September 2026, Golden Thread Gallery will present NEW WORK, a major new exhibition by internationally acclaimed multidisciplinary artist John Carson. Originally from Northern Ireland and now based in Pittsburgh, USA, Carson’s practice spans film, sound, installation and public art. Combining humour, research and personal narrative, his work explores themes of history, identity, place and belonging. The exhibition brings together three new film projects that examine cultural connections between Ireland and the United States through Carson’s distinctive blend of storytelling, historical inquiry and wit. John Carson’s exhibition is supported by Culture Ireland’s Shared Island Touring Production and Platforms Fund and through partnership between Askeaton Contemporary Arts (Limerick), Golden Thread Gallery and the Border Biennale (Cavan). Carson Street is a 19-minute ‘mockumentary’ exploring how Carson Street in Pittsburgh got its name. Carson’s video invites you to join him in searching for the story behind the naming of Carson Street in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. Carson’s inquiries find him engaging in kerbside conversations, visiting local residents and businesses, exploring historical archives, consulting experts, and eventually heading for Philadelphia to pursue a promising lead. Pittsburg Street . Originally from Belfast, Carson has lived in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for 20 years and was intrigued to recently discover that there is a Pittsburg Street in Belfast. This short video sets out to search for Pittsburg Street and to examine its history and character. Same But Different examines shared cross-border musical traditions via filmed performances of 3 tunes by 3 musicians from Cavan, and 3 musicians from Fermanagh on flute, tin whistle, fiddle, guitar, accordion and bagpipes. Sub-titles reveal alternative lyrics to each tune and indicate different affiliations. The intention is not to reinforce the notion of two separate cultures, but rather to highlight commonalities within and across Ireland’s ‘two cultures’ as evidenced in shared musical references. “John Carson is a Pittsburgh-based Northern Irish artist, who over five decades has investigated and found new ways of understanding Irish identity. Through video, installation and exhibitions since the 1970s, seen throughout the world, his enthusiastic endeavours have continually made a socially orientated art – one encompassing strains of conceptual art, the immersive role of popular culture, and a form of storytelling peppered with insightful wit and humour.” Sean Lynch, Askeaton Contemporary Arts About the Artist John Carson is an artist whose practice incorporates performance, sound, film, installation, sculpture, drawing, photography and public art. As both an artist and curator, he has been involved in numerous context-based and socially engaged projects. Carson’s work has been exhibited internationally at venues including The Douglas Hyde Gallery, Dublin; the ICA, London; CCA, Glasgow; IKON Gallery, Birmingham; Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts, Australia; the Aine Art Museum, Finland; PS1, New York; New Langton Arts, San Francisco; and The Mattress Factory, Pittsburgh. Accessibility The Lower Gallery is accessed via the ground floor, which is step-free. Large print versions of exhibition texts are available. Access videos of the gallery are available on our website here , with BSL and ISL signed versions. Please let us know if you have any questions or additional requirements, we are working hard to make the gallery as accessible as possible for everyone. Golden Thread Gallery is proud to hold an Arts & Disability Access Award 2025 Venue Accreditation. Golden Thread Gallery is supported by: Exhibition is supported by: Culture Ireland’s Shared Island Touring Production and Platforms Fund and through partnership between Askeaton Contemporary Arts (Limerick), Golden Thread Gallery and the Border Biennale (Cavan).
Venue listing
Until1 Nov

SECTARIAN MURDER SERIES Paul Seawright

Golden Thread Gallery · Exhibitions · Belfast International Arts Festival
Launch : Saturday 12th September 1pm-3pm Dates : 12th September – 31st October 2026 Gallery : Upper Gallery The exhibition presents Paul Seawright’s iconic Sectarian Murder series, which revisits sites of sectarian killings in Belfast through understated photographs and edited newspaper reports, exploring the enduring legacy of violence, memory, and identity during the Troubles. Seawright revisited and photographed the sites of Sectarian attacks during the 1970’s close to where the artist grew up in Belfast. The texts accompanying each photograph are from newspaper reports at the time and document the murders of innocent civilians, killed for their perceived religion. Reference to Protestant or Catholic background was removed from the text. Seawright is best known for his alternative visual analysis of locations and subjects dominated by mainstream media. His photographs are devoid of obvious drama but loaded with implicit tension. In 2002 he was commissioned by the Imperial War Museum London to respond to the war in Afghanistan and his photographs of battle-sites and minefields have subsequently been exhibited worldwide. The iconic Sectarian Murder series is one of his earlier works, and has been exhibited in more than 20 countries, including at Tate Britain, Planet Parr in Munich and Paris, The Troubles Archive OBG Belfast, the British Council Collection exhibition at London Whitechapel Gallery. The series was part of a major exhibition of Seawright’s work entitled ‘Anxious Landscape’ here at the Golden Thread Gallery in 2008. This work was purchased for the Golden Thread Gallery Collection thanks to support from the Ampersand Foundation . About the Artist Paul Seawright was born in Belfast 1965 and is currently Professor of Photography and Deputy Vice Chancellor at the University of Ulster. His photographs have been exhibited worldwide and are held many museum collections including The Tate, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Art Institute of Chicago, International Centre of Photography New York and the Irish Museum of Modern Art. Accessibility The Upper Gallery is accessed via wheelchair accessible lift or by the stairwell. Large print versions of exhibition texts are available. Access videos of the gallery are available on our website here , with BSL and ISL signed versions. Please let us know if you have any questions or additional requirements, we are working hard to make the gallery as accessible as possible for everyone. Golden Thread Gallery is proud to hold an Arts & Disability Access Award 2025 Venue Accreditation. Golden Thread Gallery is supported by:
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Until1 Nov11:00–17:30

Gingles and Gingles

ArtisAnn Gallery · Exhibitions
Acclaimed Father and Daughter To Exhibit Together at ArtisAnn in Belfast Graham and Lisa Gingles Wednesday 7th to Saturday 31st October Late Night Opening WED 7th October 6 to 8pm All Welcome and No Booking Necessary ArtisAnn Gallery 70 Bloomfield Avenue, Belfast, BT5 5AE mail@artisann.org www.artisann.org Wed – Sat: 11am to 5.30pm Graham Gingles is internationally renowned for his complex, intricately built boxes. These contain scenes which comment on his major themes of life and death From happiness to trauma, travel and autobiography the dioramas and scenes reveal something new on each viewing. Graham has exhibited his work extensively including in London, Brussels, Cologne Newfoundland and Vermont. He has received many accolades, including the Arts Council of Northern Ireland Scholarship to the British School at Rome, the Gold Medal at the Royal Ulster Academy and the De Veres Award at the Royal Hibernian Academy (RHA). His works are held in major public collections including by the Ulster Museum, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Queen’s University Belfast, An Chomhairle Ealaíon, the Office of Public Work (Ireland) and in the UK Government Art Collection. Lisa Gingles studied Fine Art at Ulster University and has exhibited internationally. Her work is a mixture of paintings, collage and sculpture. She currently lives and works in Spain. She has exhibited in London, New York, Newfoundland, and at the Russafart Art Festival and MuVIM (in Spain), She describes her work as drawing from her own experiences of having lived in many places, a nomadic lifestyle from when she was young. “Each place brings its own stories and myths, and the masks we wear to hide, to protect, to perform and to survive. The creatures in my art know about changes in life, and then death, because of the stories they come from. I am influenced by many things; mythology, folk tales and invented stories, leaving their dark side laid bare. It is about my life, the lives of others, and sometimes the life of no one at all. I use images of the past, feelings of the present and dreams of the future to inspire me in my art.” Her work is rooted in the changes in life, both chosen and imposed. Sculpture gives those changes weight, drawing gives them immediacy. Identity is never fixed. Underpinning this is an inquiry into the human condition. The art of this father and daughter gives a unique insight into the ideas of two visionary artists. All Welcome Admission is free. All artworks are available to buy. ArtisAnn Gallery 70 Bloomfield Avenue, Belfast, BT5 5AE mail@artisann.org www.artisann.org Wed – Sat: 11am to 5.30pm
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Until1 Nov

AND TIME, AGAIN: Video works from Northern Ireland @ Videotage Hong Kong

Golden Thread Gallery · Exhibitions
Opening Reception | 開幕酒會 17:00 | 11.10.2026 (Sun 日) Dates : 10.10.2026 – 31.10.2026 12:00 – 19:00 (Wed to Sun 三至日) Curated by | 策展：Sarah McAvera Participating Artists | 參與藝術家：Lisa Byrne, Ian Charlesworth, Miriam de Búrca, Susan MacWilliam, Moira McIver, Peter Richards Acting as an entryway into the story of Northern Ireland, And Time, Again brings together six artists whose practices engage with Northern Ireland’s complex histories, contested identities, and enduring political legacies. Through personal testimony, archival research, staged enactments, and site-specific documentation, the exhibition moves beyond familiar narratives of the Troubles and post-conflict society and offers more nuanced narratives, creating an essential space for contextually situated discursive reasoning and reflection. Together, the six works reveal the fragility of narratives and the challenges of truly “knowing” a person or a place, particularly a place like Northern Ireland where deep religious and political divides preclude any idea of consensus. 《彼刻重來》匯集六位北愛爾蘭藝術家，透過錄像藝術梳理當地的故事。從個人經歷、檔案研究、事件重演到場域限定的紀實影像，他們的藝術實踐基於北愛爾蘭錯綜複雜的歷史、受質疑的身份和揮之不去的政治影響。展覽闡述主流論述以外的「北愛問題」和衝突以後的社會面貌，並營造一個循脈絡理解的推論與反思空間。六個作品揭示論述的脆弱之處和切實地「認識」一個人、一處地方的難處——尤其在宗教和政治矛盾根深蒂固的北愛爾蘭，任何共識終難達致。 Co-presented by | 合辦：Golden Thread Gallery, Videotage 錄映太奇 Supported by | 資助：
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Until4 Jan

Craft NI Showcase @ RUA 2026

Ulster Museum · South Belfast · Exhibitions
Craft NI are delighted to be invited back for a second year to present a Guest Showcase at RUA’s 145th Annual Exhibition! The Royal Ulster Academy of Arts (RUA) returns to the Ulster Museum this autumn for its 145th Annual Exhibition, bringing together around 350 works by artists from Northern Ireland, across Ireland and further afield. Craft NI will present a guest showcase within the exhibition, bringing together a curated selection of contemporary craft works spanning various disciplines such as ceramics, glass, jewellery, textiles, metalwork and furniture. The showcase brings together works that explore new, contemporary interpretations of the natural colours of the Irish landscape: from bespoke furniture and blown glass to silversmithing, ceramics and handcrafted jewellery, the works sit in conversation with one another, creating a shared canvas of the local landscape and its influence on the makers. Participating designer-makers include Adam Frew, Andrea Spencer, Anima Roos, Anna Smyth, Cara Murphy (RUA Academician), Carla Pennie McBride, Céline Traynor, Joanne Lamb, John Piekaar, Mark Hanvey, Matthew Chambers, Rauni Higson, Sarah Cathers, Scott Benefield, Seliena Coyle and Shauna McCann. The showcase highlights the breadth and vitality of the local craft sector, with an emphasis on the quality, creativity and technical skill evident in the work of NI designer-makers.
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Until7 Dec

The Earth is the First Body Exhibition

Botanic Gardens Palm House · Exhibitions
The Earth is the First Body: an Exhibition by Botanic Gardens Artist-in-Residence Kerrie Hanna The Earth is the First Body is a new exhibition by artist Kerrie Hanna, created during her residency at Botanic Gardens. Using inks, pigments and charcoal made from plants growing in the Gardens, Kerrie has explored the stories, history and living landscape of this unique place. The exhibition looks at the Gardens' past, including the movement of plants around the world during Victorian times, while also highlighting the important work of protecting plants and biodiversity today. Through stained glass and other artworks, The Earth is the First Body invites us to think about our connection to the natural world and our role in caring for it. Join us for the exhibition opening event and be among the first to see the work. The exhibition officially opens to the public on 24 October and runs until 6 December.
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