Bored in Belfast

Friday 20 November in Belfast

Belfast times. Last refreshed Sat 11:33.

Friday 20 November 88 listings

Morning 12

07:30

Takeover

The Lark · Lisburn · Music

Join us this 20th November in Lisburn for another takeover madness. With this stacked lineup we’re set to blow the roof off once again!

Tickets & info
09:15to 10:00

Tea and Newspapers 6 libraries

Across 6 libraries · South Belfast · Community
Every Friday from 9:15am - 12:00noon. Contact staff for details. Tea and Newspapers groups give adults the opportunity to meet new people, socialise and discuss local and national affairs in the newspapers while enjoying complimentary tea/coffee and biscuits.
6 libraries, 09:15 to 10:00
10:30to 11:30

Rhythm and Rhyme 9 libraries

Across 9 libraries · Family
Every Friday from 10:30am - 11:00am. Booking essential. Contact the branch on 02890 424232 day before event. Rhythm and Rhyme sessions introduce parents and children aged 0 - 4 years to the wonder of rhymes, songs and stories. Each session offers an entertaining opportunity for children to engage with others, provides a good foundation to develop their reading, listening and language skills and of course to have lots of fun!
9 libraries, 10:30 to 11:30
11:00

Knit and Natter

Whiterock Library · West Belfast · Community
Every Friday from 11:00am - 1:00pm. Knit and Natter groups are for adults who enjoy knitting, crochet, cross stitch and other crafts. They are free of charge to attend and participants have the opportunity to share hints and tips, swap patterns, meet new people and learn new skills. Members can bring along a project they are already working on or can start something new. Everyone welcome.
FreeVenue listing

Afternoon 15

12:30

Rhythm and Rhyme

Whiterock Library · West Belfast · Family
Every Friday at 12:30pm Rhythm and Rhyme sessions introduce parents and children aged 0 - 4 years to the wonder of rhymes, songs and stories. Each session offers an entertaining opportunity for children to engage with others, provides a good foundation to develop their reading, listening and language skills and of course to have lots of fun!
aged 0 - 4 yearsVenue listing
13:00

Knit and Natter

Carryduff Library · Carryduff · South Belfast · Workshops & classes
Every Friday from 1:00pm - 2:00pm. A group for anyone who enjoys knitting, crochet, cross stitch and other crafts. Share hints and tips, swap patterns, meet new people and learn new skills. Bring whatever you are working on at the moment or start a new project. All welcome no booking required.
Venue listing
13:00

The Writer’s Room

Glengormley Library · Newtownabbey · Workshops & classes
Creative writing group focusing on script-writing for stage and screen. Come along as we take a look at structure, bounce ideas, and bring the page alive with table reads and feedback from like-minded creators in these fun group writing sessions. Third Friday of the month from 1:00pm - 2:00pm t: 028 9083 3797
Venue listing
13:50

You Can See Everything

Queen's Film Theatre · South Belfast · Film
Thirty-four days before she’s sent to prison, notorious Silicon Valley founder Elizabeth Holmes invites a skeptical film crew to document her every move. Filmed over the course of three years, the film captures Holmes as she continues to vehemently maintain her innocence, and evolves into something far stranger, more intimate, and more unpredictable than a conventional documentary. Beginning in 2023, in the 34 days leading up to disgraced Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes’ prison sentence, filmmaker and comedian Nathan Fielder moves into Holmes’ home with her husband, Billy Evans, and their children.
15Tickets & info
14:00

Lego and Duplo Club

Dundonald Library · Dundonald · East Belfast · Family
Every Friday from 2:00pm - 4:00pm. B ooking is advisable. For children aged 3 and over for the Duplo Club and children aged 6 and over for the Lego Club ; children aged 8 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Come along to have Lego building fun. Fun and creative ideas for things to make and build.
For children aged 3 and overVenue listing
14:00

The problem with counting: LGBTQ lives, data and the film and TV industry

The Seamus Heaney Centre · Talks & books · LGBTQ+ · Outburst Festival
Dr Kevin Guyan (University of Edinburgh) shares ideas from his book Rainbow Trap: Queer Lives, Classifications and the Dangers of Inclusion, which explores how the fight for LGBTQ equalities is shaped – and constrained – by the categories and classifications we encounter every day. Covering everything from quotas in the film and television industry to the design of diversity monitoring forms, Guyan argues that the promise of inclusion requires LGBTQ people to locate themselves in an ever-growing list of classifications, categories and labels. This requirement to be classified catches LGBTQ communities in a rainbow trap. Because when we look beyond the welcoming veneer of inclusive interventions, we uncover sorting processes that determine what LGBTQ lives are valued and what queer futures are possible.
£5Tickets & info
15:30

Children's Storytime

Woodstock Library · East Belfast · Family
Fridays from 3:30pm - 4:00pm. 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
15:30

Storytime

Suffolk Library · West Belfast · Family
Every Friday from 3:30pm - 4:00pm. 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. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
aged 4 - 8 years; Children require an accompanying adultVenue listing

Tonight 32

17:00

UNIVERSITY FIGHT NIGHT // STUDENT BLACK TIE BOXING

Student Roost - Nelson Place · Sport
UNIVERSITY FIGHT NIGHT BELFAST’S FIRST BLACK-TIE STUDENT BOXING EVENT This November, students will go head-to-head at University Fight Night, Belfast’s only black-tie student boxing event. After completing six weeks of professional training, fighters will be matched against an opponent of similar height, weight, and experience before stepping into the ring in front of a crowd of hundreds. Expect a full-scale production featuring: ✨ A completely transformed ballroom 🥊 Fighter walkouts and lighting 👨‍⚖️ Judges, referee, and medical team 🎤 Commentary and a high-energy atmosphere 🍾 Premium tables surrounding the ring 🎟️ Limited standing tickets behind the tables 🎩 All attendees is black tie There are ring-side tables available, and they are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Standing tickets are extremely limited. This is a formal black-tie event, open to students, friends, family, teammates, and supporters anyone who wants to experience one of the most exciting student nights Belfast has ever seen. Get ready for an unforgettable night of adrenaline, entertainment, and student boxing at its very best.
Venue listing
18:00

I Play Rocky

Queen's Film Theatre · South Belfast · Film
Featuring a career-making performance from Anthony Ippolito, Peter Farrelly vividly recreates the story of how an unknown named Sylvester Stallone got Rocky produced — and became a superstar. Sylvester (Ippolito) dreams of being an actor, but he grew up poor, shuttled from home to home, and at one point lived on the street. Now in his twenties, the closest he's come to the big screen is acting in a porno and working as an usher. Then he sees Muhammad Ali fight Chuck Wepner, and inspiration hits: in a few fevered days, he writes a screenplay about an underdog boxer who goes the distance. Studio executives love it — but they balk at Sylvester’s stipulation that he play the hero. The production of this ambitious indie film will prove more arduous than anyone could have imagined. Ippolito is supported by a dream cast that includes Tracy Letts, Stephan James, and Oscar nominee Matt Dillon.
12ATickets & info
18:30

Cabaret Christmas Variety Evening Show 20th November

Cabaret Supper Club · Theatre & dance · Food & drink
Our Christmas Evening Variety Show offers the perfect blend of dinner, entertainment, and festive revelry for a night of pure indulgence. Begin your evening at 6:30 PM, with time to savour a delicious holiday meal and festive drinks. As the clock strikes 8 PM, the stage comes alive with an extraordinary showcase of talent: Enchanting Drag Performances that leave you spellbound. Sultry Burlesque Numbers that dazzle under the spotlight. Laugh-out-loud comedy to ignite your festive cheer. Breathtaking Aerial Acrobatics that mesmerise and amaze. Dynamic Dance Routines infused with the joy of the season. The magic doesn’t end there. After the main show, keep the festivities alive during our Post-Show Party Hour, where the music keeps flowing, and the dance floor stays alive with laughter and joy. Ideal for Christmas parties, romantic evenings, or a spectacular night out with friends, our evening shows are guaranteed to make your holiday season unforgettable. Don’t miss out on Belfast’s premier Christmas entertainment. Book your table now and step into a night of wonder and excitement at Cabaret Supper Club! Main Show Starts at 9:00PM
£59.50Venue listing
18:30

Exhibition Tour: David Hoyle on Queer Art Sold out

The MAC · The MAC Galleries · City centre · Exhibitions · LGBTQ+ · Outburst Festival
Details For over four decades, David Hoyle has queered the boundaries between live art, performance, theatre and cabaret - conquering nightlife around the world and working extensively in film and TV. The original performance avalanche, his infamous alter-ego The Divine David transported him from radical alternative settings in the '80s to Channel 4 in the '90s, with a recent online collab with Parisian fashion house Mugler once again catapulting him into the headlines. A passionate art lover and prolific visual artist, David has exhibited his paintings at Goswell Road gallery in Paris. In 2024 the Aviva Studios in Manchester held a retrospective of his career to date, Please Feel Free to Ignore My Work , focusing on key themes that run through his work: gender, mental health, AIDS, revolution, decadence and the effects of capitalism. Who better, then, to take us on a tour of our Outburst exhibition at the MAC?
£7–1516+Venue listing
18:30

The Shamrocks

The O2 Belfast · Music
IT'S NEARLY TIME! PLAN YOUR NIGHT Food & Drink As soon as the doors open at The O2 Belfast, you’ll find a variety of food and drink options ready to go. From great-value meal deals to quick service and plenty of choices, we've got something for every taste. Check out our options here . Traffic & Parking Traffic around the venue and Odyssey car parks is expected to be busy. Check out live traffic and roadworks updates via TrafficWatchNI here . The O2 Belfast car park is now operating a ticketless parking system. For all information and FAQs ahead of your visit, please click here . Lounge Upgrades Elevate your evening in our Rewards Lounge. Check out what's included and eligibility criteria here . Heineken® Lounge Menu If you have purchased tickets to the Heineken Lounge for this event, please find the set menu for the evening here. The Shamrocks are coming to The O2 Belfast! Following on from their two sold out Waterfront Hall, Belfast shows later this year, Emmy Award-winning, international Irish Vocal Sensation, The Shamrocks have announced their biggest Belfast headline show to date at The O2 Belfast on Friday 20th November 2026. The roaring, rousing atmosphere of traditional Irish pubs will be brought to stages across the country as The Shamrocks embark on their debut UK tour. After wowing audiences across the globe - from the Sydney Opera House to the Kennedy Center in Washington DC - the five-piece harmony and multi-instrumental group are set to bring their incredible show and Belfast charm to some of the most prestigious venues across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in 2026. The Shamrocks’ 12-date tour kicks off at Birmingham Symphony Hall on Saturday October 17 and runs until Friday November 20 ending with a homecoming show at The O2 Belfast.
Venue listing
19:00

Chloe Slater: Riot Youth Tour

Oh Yeah Music Centre · Music
Chloe Slater ’s debut album Riot Youth seems to unfold in the fleeting, chaotic moments before doomsday – a coming of age record fit for the modern world. It arrives right on time in an era when hopelessness and nihilism run rife, painting the truest portrait of what it is to be young, British, and brave enough to be hopeful today. Across 10 tracks, Slater departs her signature, succinct commentary on the issues plaguing her generation: social divide, toxic internet culture, our dwindling sense of community, the climate crisis and, ultimately, the vampirish billionaire class cashing in on our collective misery. Slater began carving out her witty yet pointed take on protest music with her debut EP, ‘You Can’t Put A Price On Fun’, in 2024, which was swiftly followed up with ‘Love Me Please’ the following year. Both projects showcase her undeniable skill as a lyricist, introduce her as a promising new voice in indie rock, and see her take hold of a torch lit by great British songwriters before her – those who have also woven gold from the bleak circumstances of their own generations. On ‘Riot Youth’, Slater shifts from these frank descriptions of society to moments of gorgeous, gut-punching poetry, crafting anthemic choruses and intoxicating one-liners from the gripes many of us can barely muster the words for. In doing so, Slater has earned herself a devoted fanbase, racking up almost 2 million likes on TikTok alone. Meanwhile, she’s quickly making a name for herself as a live performer not to miss, opening for Alessi Rose, Role Model and Courtney Bartnett over the past two years, as well as taking to the stage at Glastonbury and the prestigious BRITs Fringe showcase. Beyond soundtracking this peculiar moment of history, Slater hopes Riot Youth will shake us out of our tendency to seek constant distraction and instead prompt conversation. “We're upset about the way the world is, but we feel like we can't change it, so we go and listen to music,” she says. “I just hope this is the kind of music that is comforting but not distracting. It’s addressing how people are feeling, and it's saying that we can make a change.”
£20.4514+Tickets & info
19:30

CHAPTERHOUSE

The Belfast Empire Music Hall · South Belfast · Music
Chapterhouse always managed to be in the right place at the wrong time. They were acid-rockers as acid house hit; they were shoegazers when grunge germinated; they were experimental dance-rockers as Britpop broke. It’s only with the benefit of hindsight that we can see they have always been a band ahead of their time. Formed over the summer of 1987 by a bunch of school friends from Reading, they started out jamming on Stooges covers and songs from the Pebbles compilations for fun, which initially led to them being taken under the wing of Spacemen 3. After a couple EPs, the band dropped the classic ‘Pearl’, with its mix of guitars and beats borrowed from John Bonham and Schoolly D. It still sounds daring and audacious to this day and is rightfully revered alongside My Bloody Valentine’s ‘Soon’ as one of those significant moments that pushed indie music into uncharted new waters. It also features backing vocals by Rachel Goswell from their Reading contemporaries Slowdive, whose guitarist Christian Savill fondly remembers the early Chapterhouse gigs as “some of the best I’ve ever seen”. Chapterhouse’s 1991 debut album Whirlpool is a shoegaze touchstone. A wonderful record that manages to be both weird and accessible at the same time and saw them collaborating with Robin Guthrie of the Cocteau Twins. Record company politics clouded the creation of the follow-up a couple years later, but Blood Music is a brilliant album and one that has aged remarkably gracefully. Its synthesis of dance and rock has frequently been cited as an influence by electronica artists such as Ulrich Schnauss, helped by the Pentamorous Metamorphosis reworking by Global Communication. However, as the Britpop battles raged, the band struggled to find a way forward when everyone else was busy looking backwards and decided to call it a day in 1995. But it wasn’t the end, a one-off festival performance in 2008 blossomed into a full-blown reunion the following year, with tours in the UK, US and Japan. Even when they reformed, Chapterhouse managed to be ahead of their time – their reunion pre-dating the reformation of their contemporaries from the shoegaze scene. And now they are back to do it all over again; 35 years on from the release of their classic debut– which proudly sits at number 17 in Pitchfork’s list of the best shoegaze albums ever – this is finally the right place and the right time for Chapterhouse. SILK and BARRY PEAK have been announced as the supporting bill. SILK are one of the most exciting new bands on the Irish scene. They have received considerable press and radio coverage, already completed several Irish headline tours, and this year performed at Gazefest in Belfast and Dublin. SILK released their debut mini-album ‘Auralux’ in May receiving gushing reviews like “shoegaze perfection” and “a masterpiece” BARRY PEAK is best known as the singer and guitar player in 90s band, backwater, who signed to ché records, had a couple of minor indie hits and toured with the likes of Mogwai. Barry has returned to making music and released Read Like Lisa; Skate Like Bart, which The Thin Air called “One of the Irish Albums of the year”. A new album, Bicycle Soul Riding, is due for release in October 2026 Tickets on sale now online from Ticketmaster (Fees apply) or in person from the venue (no fees).
£24.50Tickets & info
19:30

The Songs of Glen Hansard: In Support of Simon Community

The Crescent Arts Centre · South Belfast · Music
Join Belfast singer-songwriters Clare Galway and Michael Cunningham for a special evening celebrating the life, music and legacy of Glen Hansard, while raising funds for Simon Community Northern Ireland . Clare and Michael will be joined on stage by special guests, who will perform songs spanning Glen’s remarkable career — from The Frames and Once to The Swell Season and his solo work — accompanied by stories from his life and the music that made him one of Ireland’s most loved songwriters and performers. Glen was a passionate supporter of people experiencing homelessness, famously taking part in the annual Christmas Eve busk on Dublin’s Grafton Street to raise funds and awareness for homelessness charities. In that same spirit, this is a free event, but booking is essential. There is no charge for your ticket; instead, you are asked to consider making a donation to Simon Community Northern Ireland on the night. This is also a BYO event, so feel free to bring your own drinks and settle in for the evening. Come along for an intimate evening of great songs, stories and music, while helping support the vital work of The Simon Community here in Northern Ireland.
Venue listing
19:45

Ulster Orchestra: Seasons & Splendour

Ulster Hall · Music
Ulster Orchestra: Seasons & Splendour comes to Ulster Hall on 20 November 2026. A spectacular concert filled with colour, drama and breathtaking musical beauty France in spring and summer: it suggests balmy sunshine and the intimacy of romance. And certainly, as the Mulholland Organ meets Montmartre in Saint-Saëns’s most spectacular work, his Third Symphony, we’ll bask in a burst of sumptuous orchestral colour and an epic blaze of musical drama. Lili Boulanger’s D’un matin de printemps bustles with energy, but in this musical trip to Europe there are also chilly shadows to split the sunshine and secrets and loss within the love – Berlioz’s Les nuits d’été resonate with guilt and yearning as much as they do with passion and desire. Lili Boulanger D’un matin de printemps Hector Berlioz Les nuits d’été Camille Saint-Saëns Symphony No. 3 Organ CHLOÉ VAN SOETERSTÈDE CONDUCTOR NIAMH O’SULLIVAN MEZZO-SOPRANO
£10–38Tickets & info
20:00

Aaron McCann

Waterfront Hall · Comedy
Comedy icon Aaron Mc Cann is returning to Waterfront Hall on 20 November 2026 for his Momentum tour! After being a prominent member of the Northern Irish comedy scene for over a decade Aaron McCann decided to hit the factory reset on his life and move to New York City. After a turbulent few years Aaron finally feels like he has momentum but he has no idea if it’s in the right direction. McCann has had sold out tours that have featured Belfasts major venues including the waterfront hall and Ulster hall. He has opened for the likes of Shane Gillis, Daniel Sloss, Shapel Lacey and Grace O malley. In 2023 Aaron teamed up with fellow comedian Colin Geddis to form the Bomb Squad Podcast. The podcast has quickly developed a die hard fanbase allowing them to sell out the SSE arena multiple times.
£27.50Tickets & info
20:00

NI COMEDY PRESENTS EMER MAGUIRE: PERFECTLY CHAOTIC

Island Arts Centre · Lisburn · Comedy
ANNOUNCE: Mon 30th Mar @ 10am ON-SALE: Wed 1st Apr @ 10am NI Comedy Presents: EMER MAGUIRE: PERFECTLY CHAOTIC With Emer’s brand new stand up tour show PERFECTLY CHAOTIC selling out Belfast’s Waterfront Hall, more tour dates have just been added due to incredible demand! Known for her powerful storytelling, lightning-fast wit, and hilariously irreverent musical interludes, Emer has cemented herself as one of Ireland’s most exciting comedic voices. She has sold out landmark venues including the Ulster Hall, Mandela Hall, and The MAC Belfast to rave reviews and roaring audiences. Recently named one of the top 10 new comic talents in the UK by Channel 4, Emer’s star continues to ascend sharply. She has also recently been commissioned by Channel 4 to write and star in sitcom Socially Awkward - a hilarious, heartfelt sitcom about her life as an autistic adult. Perfectly Chaotic sees Emer dive into the beautiful mess of modern life - from questionable decisions to personal revelations, from daily disasters to the unexpected moments that shape us. Delivered with Emer’s trademark honesty, musical brilliance, and no-holds-barred humour, this show promises belly laughs, emotional whiplash, and more than a few moments of “I probably shouldn’t relate to this… but I absolutely do.” A heartfelt, laugh-out-loud rollercoaster you won’t want to miss.
Venue listing
20:00

No Apologies

The Black Box · City centre · Music · LGBTQ+ · Outburst Festival
No Apologies is a radical, queer mis-remembering of Nirvana’s iconic 1993 MTV Unplugged concert, written and performed by multi award-winning theatre and TV writer Emma Frankland. Urgent and politically sharp, this spectacular collision between theatre and grunge, autobiography and alternate history, weaves threads of pop culture with mythology and ritual, fuelled by the experience of coming-of-age in the nineties. 18+
£15–18Tickets & info
20:35

You Can See Everything

Queen's Film Theatre · South Belfast · Film
Thirty-four days before she’s sent to prison, notorious Silicon Valley founder Elizabeth Holmes invites a skeptical film crew to document her every move. Filmed over the course of three years, the film captures Holmes as she continues to vehemently maintain her innocence, and evolves into something far stranger, more intimate, and more unpredictable than a conventional documentary. Beginning in 2023, in the 34 days leading up to disgraced Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes’ prison sentence, filmmaker and comedian Nathan Fielder moves into Holmes’ home with her husband, Billy Evans, and their children.
15Tickets & info
22:00

MISFIT : FRI 20 NOV : THOMPSONS

Thompsons Garage · Clubbing
MiSFIT // FRIDAYS // THOMPSONS Underground Sounds in the club and on the terrace , each and every Friday @ Thompsons! ••• DRINKS PROMOS 🍻 BEERS £3 🥃 SHOTS £2 💣BOMBS £4 👻 DOUBLE & DASH £6 😈 DOUBLE VOD & RED BULL £6 Right Of Admission Reserved :: 18+ ID Required #Misfit #ThompsonsGarage #Friday #Clubbing #Belfast #House #Techno #Nightlife MiSFIT // FRIDAYS // THOMPSONS Underground Sounds in the club and on the terrace , each and every Friday @ Thompsons! ••• DRINKS PROMOS 🍻 BEERS £3 🥃 SHOTS £2 💣BOMBS £4 👻 DOUBLE & DASH £6 😈 DOUBLE VOD & RED BULL £6 Right Of Admission Reserved :: 18+ ID Required #Misfit #ThompsonsGarage #Friday #Clubbing #Belfast #House #Techno #Nightlife MiSFIT // FRIDAYS // THOMPSONS Underground Sounds in the club and on the terrace , each and every Friday @ Thompsons! ••• DRINKS PROMOS 🍻 BEERS £3 🥃 SHOTS £2 💣BOMBS £4 👻 DOUBLE & DASH £6 😈 DOUBLE VOD & RED BULL £6 Right Of Admission Reserved :: 18+ ID Required #Misfit #ThompsonsGarage #Friday #Clubbing #Belfast #House #Techno #Nightlife
FreeTickets & info

Ongoing 12

Until30 Nov

‘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
Until3 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.
FreeVenue listing
Until6 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.
FreeVenue listing
Until31 Dec

Bernat Klein: Influence & Inspiration

Craft NI Gallery · Exhibitions
Craft NI Gallery in partnership with Future Island-Island, Belfast School of Art, Live Borders Museums & Galleries and The Bernat Klein Foundation, is delighted to present a capsule exhibition of selected work that shares the legacy of Bernat Klein (1922 – 2014), textile designer and manufacturer, artist and colourist. Colour connects every aspect of Klein’s creative practice that lasted a lifetime. Whether in his innovation of 1960s couture mohair tweeds or printed textiles, or evident in his work as an artist and colourist. Klein encompassed the importance of place in exploring his visual language of colour and texture. There will also be a sister exhibition (details to follow) at Belfast School of Art and a symposium in November. Both exhibitions illustrate Klein’s influence across design, architecture, visual arts, as well as his significant creative and cultural contribution to Scotland. Original archive pieces give context to the work of contemporary practitioners who have been inspired by The Klein legacy, and which still holds relevance today. Who was Bernat Klein? Serbian born designer Bernat Klein (1922 – 2014) emigrated to the UK in the post-war period and based his textile manufacturing business in the Scottish Borders (1951 – 1992). In a career spanning six decades, Klein found international success in the interlarded spheres of visual arts, fashion, textiles design, architecture, industrial design, and colour consultancy. He sold couture fabrics to leading couriers such as Chanel and Dior, gained recognition in Scandinavia and North America, and realised two important buildings with modernist architect Peter Womersley (1923 – 1993).
Venue listing
Until30 Dec

Big Bauble Showcase

Craft NI Gallery · Exhibitions
An annual staple at Craft NI Gallery during the festive season, the Big Bauble Showcase features a wide selection of limited ranges and one-off baubles all handcrafted to a high standard by local designer-makers in porcelain, felt, enamel, textiles or hand blown glass. The event is a highlight for visitors who come back each year to add to their collection. Stop by to admire the skills of local makers and pick up a meaningful gift!
FreeVenue listing
Until31 Jan

The Gift

Craft NI Gallery · Exhibitions
The Gift, Craft NI Gallery’s annual Christmas selling exhibition, opens November 5th! Join us for a festive opening night on November 5th, 6 – 9pm (Late Night Art Belfast) to see the latest creations of local designer-makers and a chance to meet some of them in person! Celebrating the creativity and craftsmanship of local makers, the exhibition brings together a thoughtfully curated collection of unique, handcrafted gifts, from contemporary jewellery and ceramics to textiles, woodwork and much more. Whether you’re searching for a special gift for a loved one or something to treasure yourself for years to come, discover one-of-a-kind pieces made by talented makers right here on our doorstep. Participating makers: Abbie Dixon, Aisling Higgins, Anna Smyth, Fiona Kerr, Hugh Cummins, Inga Reed, Janice Gilmore, Jill Phillips, Marlene McKibbin, Martin Cameron, Mary Chris, Natasha Heaslip, Nichola Dalton, Rory Shearer, Sarah Elliott, Seamus Gill, Ursula McGivern. The exhibition runs until January 31st, 2027.
FreeTickets & info
Until28 Nov

Class of 76: Fifty Years of Art

Holywood Library · Holywood · Exhibitions
Celebrate 50 years of creativity with the Class of ’76, a group of artists who graduated from Belfast School of Art in 1976. Explore an exciting exhibition of paintings, drawings, photography, ceramics and conceptual art, organised by John Rubery. Showcasing the diverse and unexpected journeys of a generation of artists.
Venue listing
Until13 Feb

THE PERFECT STORM Ralf Sander

Golden Thread Gallery · Exhibitions
Launch : Saturday 14th November 1pm-3pm Dates : 14th November – 13th February 2027 Gallery : Upper Gallery & Lower Gallery Artist Talk : 20th November (TBC) Ralf Sander’s largest solo exhibition in Northern Ireland to date, this exhibition brings together sculpture, photography, sound, film and satellite data to examine how images shape our understanding of reality. A “perfect storm” describes a rare and powerful convergence of events. Sander uses this idea to consider the forces that shape how we see the world, and our capacity to influence them. Sander turns satellite imagery and weather data, tools normally used to observe the Earth, into an artistic medium. Treating the satellite as a camera, he transforms scientific information into another way of seeing the world. The resulting installation creates an illusion through photography, digital imagery and sculpture. It invites us to consider whether every photograph is, in some sense, an illusion: not reality itself, but one version of it. The work asks how this constructed reality differs from the reality we experience in everyday life. The exhibition builds on Sander’s long-standing interest in testing the possibilities of sculpture across different materials and media. His work has been exhibited internationally, and he has also initiated and curated exhibitions and art projects. The exhibition reflects Golden Thread Gallery’s continuing commitment to ambitious and critically engaged contemporary art. It extends the gallery’s programme beyond historical enquiry to address wider questions of perception and representation, and the role visual culture plays in shaping our shared understanding of the world. About the Artist Born in December 1963, Ralf Sander is an internationally active sculptor and conceptual artist. His practice ranges from large-scale public monuments and figurative sculptures carved from single tree trunks to experimental projects that connect art and science. Sander has exhibited worldwide, in internationally acclaimed locations such as Bonner Kunsthalle, Museum of Art Stuttgart, Haus der Kunst Munich, Philadelphia Museum, Nowisibirsk Museum of Art and Seoul MoA. Sander is a Reader in Fine Art at the Belfast School of Art , Ulster University. Originally from Berlin, he is now based in Islandmagee, Northern Ireland. Accessibility The Lower Gallery is accessed via the ground floor, which is step-free. 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 Venue Accreditation. Golden Thread Gallery is supported by:
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Unruly Ordinances

The MAC · The MAC Galleries · City centre · Exhibitions · LGBTQ+ · Outburst Festival
Details Outburst Arts and the MAC proudly present Unruly Ordinances, a major group exhibition of queer artists from the last two decades. Collectively curated through conversations on queer practice between Outburst collaborators Dayna Ash, Eoin Dara, Haven for Artists, Laima Kreivytė, Kim McAleese, Ruth McCarthy, Iarlaith Ní Fheorais, Monica Pearl and Lyónn Wolf, this selection of installation, sculptural, drawing, photographic and video works opens up expansive and radical conversations on queerness, embracing all of its dissident and tender potential. From newly commissioned works that playfully disrupt thinking on archiving and remembering; to reflections on land, language and material conditions, Unruly Ordinances recentres queer as a generative, slippery, critical and unfixed thing, inciting imagination and catalysing daring possibility. Launching as part of the 20th annual Outburst Queer Arts Festival on November 12, the exhibition will be accompanied by a dynamic three-month public programme, bringing together artists, activists, academics and audiences through talks, screenings, publishing, performances and workshops Artists Array Collective Kian Benson Bailes A.Mac Giolla Bhríde Reuben Brown Batool Desouky Sarah Joy Ford Caoimhín Gaffney Agnė Jokšė Breda Lynch Ebun Sodipo Eimear Walshe Lyónn Wolf Supported by The Ampersand Foundation w ith additional support from Paul Hamlyn Foundation Art Fund and Lithuanian Cultural Institute.
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