Have yourself a merry little Christmas with festive arts events across NI!

THEATRE, PANTO and MORE!

The Lyric Theatre presents A Christmas Carol, 28 Nov – 10 Jan. Back by popular demand, experience the magic of A Christmas Carol in all its festive glory! After enchanting audiences and earning rave reviews in 2024, this joyously reimagined version of Charles Dickens’ Christmas classic, brought to life by award-winning playwright Marie Jones, returns to the Lyric Theatre. www.lyrictheatre.co.uk

Don’t miss The Adventures of Pinocchio, 29 Nov – 11 Jan at Belfast’s Grand Opera House. This show brings you all the hallmark features of a traditional Grand Opera House panto with thrilling song-and-dance, beautiful costumes, dazzling staging and effects and laugh-out-loud comedy.

Also at the Grand Opera House is Deck the Halls, 4 - 31 Dec. Let the team behind Elvis Yourself A Merry Little Christmas and Are Yule Being Served? give you some adult LOLS during the Christmas hols for this year’s seasonal, festive fiesta in the Grand Opera House Studio. www.goh.co.uk

The MAC presents Jack Frost, 26 Nov – 1 Jan. Full of adventure, laughter, and breathtaking festive wonder, Jack Frost is the perfect Christmas show for ages 5+. Wrap up warm and join the MAC for an unforgettable winter’s tale! www.themaclive.com

The MAC also present’s Elf Inspectors, 2-24 Dec. This show is a fun and festive multi-sensory Christmas theatre experience for all the family, brought to you by award winning Children’s Theatre Company, Replay. It is best suited to small Elf Inspectors between the ages of 2 and 5 who may be too young to sit through a standard theatre show but may relish the opportunity to get involved and help the elves to bring back the Magic of Christmas! (Accompanied of course by their big Elf Inspector companions). www.themaclive.com

Tumble Circus Big Top on Writers' Square, Belfast, 12 Dec - 4 Jan. Belfast’s favourite alternative Christmas show returns to Writers’ Square, Cathedral Quarter, for its ninth year. Winter Circus 2025 lands with 31 shows in a fully heated Big Top. Expect new acts and new performers, plus a riot of returning favourites: sky-high aerialists, razor-sharp juggling, acrobatic mischief and Belfast brewed hammer-smashing circus craic for all ages. For tickets visit Tumble Circus presents... - Tumble Circus

Brassneck Theatre Company presents The People’s Panto Snow White, 4-28 December, St Comgall’s. The People's Panto is back starring the fabulous, the famous, the fantastic Fairy Up Liquid. Join Brassneck Theatre Company at St Comgall's this Christmas for their spectacular version of Snow White! Tickets only £10. Friday 5 December 7pm ASD friendly performance. Friday 12 December BSL signed performance. Children under 12 should be accompanied by an adult. Unreserved seating. For tickets visit What’s On – Brassneck Theatre Company | Quality, Professional Theatre from the Heart of West Belfast

Don’t miss Beauty and The Beast Panto at the Millennium Forum, 28 Nov – 31 Dec. A panto as old as time…This Christmas, join the fun at Millennium Forum for a truly enchanting adventure with Beauty and the Beast! Bursting with dazzling costumes, hilarious comedy, stunning special effects, and spectacular dance routines, this magical panto promises fun for all the family. For accessible performances info visit www.millenniumforum.co.uk

The award-winning Cahoots presents The Secret Bookshop, 6-24 December at Cityside, Belfast. This Christmas, step inside and discover the mystery, mayhem and magic of The Secret Bookshop –where the stories you love burst into life in incredible ways. All you need is a cupful of courage, the power of your imagination, and your ticket, because in The Secret Bookshop, not every story stays on the shelf! Buy tickets – Cahoots NI

The Christmassy Christmas Show of Christmassy Christmasness comes to the stage at Portico of Ards on 30 Novermber. The show is an over-stuffed stocking of seasonal surprises crammed with puppets, songs and comedy, and over-flowing with crazy characters, silly slapstick, tall tales and fantastic facts. Suitable for children aged 4+ and their families. www.porticoards.com

Theatre at The Mill is delighted to announce the return of award-winning writer and director duo Leesa Harker and Andrea Montgomery with their brand-new Christmas comedy, Belfast Actually 2, running from Thursday 27 November 2025 until Saturday 3 January 2026. Following the success of last year’s sell-out production, this heart-warming sequel introduces three new couples, each searching for love during the festive season. Blending local humour with touching moments and familiar Christmas spirit, Belfast Actually 2 promises an evening filled with laughter and charm. www.theatreatthemill.com

MUSIC

Ulster Orchestra presents:

• The Snowman on 6th Dec. This festive season, the Ulster Orchestra invites you to a truly enchanting experience for all ages! For the first time ever, the Ulster Orchestra is performing live to not one, but two magical films on the big screen, a treat for both children and adults alike. Join in for the beloved classic The Snowman, a timeless tale that has created special memories for generations and continues to do so. And this year, the orchestra is thrilled to introduce a wonderful new addition, The Bear and the Piano.

• Handel’s Messiah, 12 Dec, Guildhall Derry-Londonderry and 13 Dec, Waterfront Hall, Belfast. One of the best oratorios ever written, the glorious experience of hearing Handel’s Messiah never fails to create impact. Performed by the Orchestra, guest soloists and Codetta, if you haven’t yet included it in your festive programme, then now is the time.

• The Magic of Christmas, 21 Dec, Waterfront Hall, Belfast and, 22 Dec, Millennium Forum Derry-Londonderry. This wonderful concert is now a firm fixture in the Ulster Orchestra’s festive programme and is the perfect night out for all ages. Visit https://www.ulsterorchestra.or...

Northern Ireland Opera: presents,

• 6 Dec, Christmas Sing-Along at Custom House. NI Opera artists will perform some much-loved Christmas music and then there’ll be an opportunity for you to join in with some favourite seasonal tunes and carols.

• 14 Dec, Christmas at The Harrison Chambers of Distinction. Join NI Opera at The Harrison Chambers of Distinction on the Malone Road for an afternoon of festive magic with mezzo soprano Jenny Bourke and tenor Aaron O’Hare. Expect a heart-warming celebration filled with Christmas arias, duets, and joyful sing-alongs.

Visit www.niopera.com for more information on all events.

Sestina presents Carols at Christmas on 16 Dec at Fisherwick Presbyterian Church , Belfast and on 17 Dec at Christ Church in Derry-Londonderry. Visit https://www.sestinamusic.com/

Cappella Caeciliana presents A Cappella Christmas on Sun, Dec 21 @ 6:30PM at Titanic Belfast. Join Cappella Caeciliana for an atmospheric night of choral music and celebration at Titanic Belfast, the perfect start to your Christmas season. Under the direction of Musical Director, Matthew Quinn, this choir will perform a beautiful programme of Christmas favourites and seasonal choral classics in the stunning surroundings of The Titanic Suite. Tickets cost standard: £25 - under 25s: £10. Visit https://caeciliana.org/events

VISUAL ARTS

Craft NI Gallery presents:

• The Big Bauble Showcase on now until 30 Dec and features a wide selection of limited ranges and one-off baubles handcrafted to a high standard by local designer-makers. Made in porcelain, felt, enamel, textiles or hand-blown glass, these are unique gifts that loved ones will cherish.

• Craft NI also presents THE GIFT, on now until 31 Jan, this exhibition showcases contemporary craft works in a festive, relaxed gallery setting. These objects, thoughtfully designed and beautifully crafted, are gifts to be cherished and given with intention - visitors can expect to see unique creations, whether it is jewellery, ceramics, textiles, glass, wood and mixed media.

Visit www.craftni.org

Don’t miss the 144th Royal Ulster Academy Exhibition, on now until 4 January 2026 at the Ulster Museum. Now in its 144th year, the Royal Ulster Academy’s Annual Exhibition presents over 300 works spanning painting, sculpture, ceramics, print, and textile. This prestigious showcase features artists including Andrew Cranston, Donovan Wylie, John Rainey, and notable RUA members such as Jennifer Trouton, Catherine McWilliams and Colin Watson. Visit www.royalulsteracademy.org to learn more.

Queen Street Studios presents their Christmas Exhibition and Sale from 4-16 Dec. Over 50 QSS artists and Associate Members will show select pieces across two gallery spaces. Works displayed in Gallery 1 will be priced under £300 and works shown in Gallery 2 will be priced accordingly and shown alongside individual prints and smaller sculptural objects. Visit https://www.queenstreetstudios...

FESTIVALS

Cure the January blues with the amazing Out to Lunch Festival, 9th–31st January 2026, featuring a vibrant lineup of live music, theatre, comedy, and more. Out to Lunch offers lunchtime and evening shows featuring the best in comedy, theatre, literature, and music. https://cqaf.com/