Free tickets and tours available during National Lottery Open Week 7-15 March
20th February, 2026
24th February, 2026
From theatre performances, concerts, exhibitions and more, here's your guide to what's on in the arts...
Sean-Nós na Fearsaide: The unique Sean-Nós na Fearsaide festival takes place in Áras Mhic Reachtain, 283-289 Antrim Road at the end of February every year, from the 26th-28th of February this year, promoting Ireland's ancient singing and dancing traditions, namely sean-nós, in the city of Belfast. Visit https://mhicreachtain.com/clar...
National Lottery Open Week: will be back from 7 - 15 March 2026. To say thank you for the £32 million raised for Good Causes every week by players, some National Lottery funded venues are offering free entry, discounts and special offers throughout National Lottery Open Week. To see NI’s offers visit Free tickets and tours available during National… | Arts Council NI
Brilliant Corners A Festival of Jazz in Belfast: returns from 27 Feb – 7 March, presented by Moving on Music. View the programme at https://www.brilliantcornersbe...
Beyond Skin/International Women’s Day: presents Concert Tarang - Wave of Melodies on 7th March, 7pm at the Whitla Hall, QUB. Graceful Bharatanatyam by dancers Swaralipi & Karunya unfolds into the ecstatic sufi whirling dance of Fahima Mirzaie, the only woman whirling dancer from Afghanistan joined by Irish/Turkish whirling dancer Anna Rüia Ayylidiz. For tickets visit https://www.beyondskin.net/tar...
Young at Art: presents the Belfast Children’s Festival which returns from 5-14 March 2026 boasting over 100 events and performances to suit everyone, from the youngest to the not-so-young. Highlights include:
• Festival Family Day Out - Enjoy an exciting mix of pop-up performances, exciting workshops, lively walkabout characters, captivating storytelling, circus acts, comedy and music. Sat 7 March, 1-5pm, various venues in the Cathedral Quarter. FREE.
• Doughnut - this imaginative production features three performers and invites families to explore bold, hopeful ideas about how we live and care for the planet. Sat 7 March 4pm & 6pm, Sun 8 March 2pm & 4pm, Brian Friel Theatre, QFT, £12.
• Aesops Fables - Ulster Touring Opera invites families to step into a world of wit, wonder and imagination with Aesop’s Fables — three brand-new mini-operas inspired by the timeless tales of the ancient storyteller. Sat 7 March 2.30pm & 4pm, £6.
• In Stasis - gives audiences a window into a world that changes and evolves in front their eyes, where aerial rigging and audio-visual equipment illuminate and transform the space with dynamic performance. Fri 6 March 7pm, Sat 7 March 4pm & 7pm, Circusful, £12.
For full programme details and tickets visit https://youngatart.co.uk/belfa...
Walled City Music Festival: returns to Derry from 12-15 March with another unforgettable celebration of world-class classical music. Audiences will be treated to the lyrical brilliance of Martina Filjak at the piano, the debut of the brand-new Walled City Music Chamber Orchestra, captivating performances from violinist Kirill Troussov alongside pianist Alexandra Troussov, and the exquisite vocal artistry of Irish soprano Ailish Tynan, and more! Visit https://walledcitymusic.com/wc...
Deaf Arts Festival NI at the MAC: Cre8 Theatre proudly brings back Deaf Arts Festival NI to the MAC, 13-14 March, a vibrant celebration of d/Deaf culture, creativity, and inclusion. This festival champions d/Deaf artists, breaking down communication barriers and uniting d/Deaf and hearing communities through accessible theatre and co-created performances. Visit the programme here https://themaclive.com/deaf-ar...
Belfast Tradfest: Belfast St Patrick’s Music Festival returns 13–17 March with five days of concerts, workshops, dance, pipe bands and a FREE Festival Village in the Cathedral Quarter, celebrating Belfast’s status as a UNESCO City of Music. There will also be a St Patrick’s Day Festival Village at Cathedral Gardens and Saint Anne’s Square plus workshops, taster sessions and more. View the full programme at https://www.belfasttraditional...
Féile An Earraigh: the spring festival returns from 1-17 March. Visit https://feilebelfast.com/
Imagine! Festival: This year’s festival will take place from 23rd - 29th March with over 120 events across 50+ venues in Belfast. The 2026 programme features a high-energy mix of traditional debates, workshops, comedy, music, theatre and film screenings alongside podcasts, walking tours, public gatherings and quizzes, under the theme, ‘Thou Shalt Not Have No Idea.’ Visit https://imaginebelfast.com/
Creative Holywood Festival: runs from 28th February to 29th March. Now in its fifth year, the Creative Holywood Festival aims to showcase the artistic talent connected with the town and share it with local and visiting audiences in a range of accessible venues, from pubs and cafes, to libraries and church halls. Highlights include:
Desert Island Poems with Terrance Hayes: 6-7pm, Thur 26 Feb, The Seamus Heaney Centre. Professor Nick Laird in conversation with our Visiting International Poetry Fellow Terrance Hayes, talking about the poems he couldn't do without. Free to attend but please register at 26.2.26 Desert Island Poems with Terrance Hayes | Seamus Heaney Centre | Queen's University Belfast
DU Dance: Save the date of Thursday 2nd April for Du Dance’s Unanimous at The MAC. Unanimous brings together some of the best youth dance groups in a non-competitive event. Visit https://www.dudanceni.com/news...
Lyric Theatre: presents their spring and summer programme with highlights including:
• CONSUMED, Tue 24 Feb - Sun 08 Mar 2026. Four generations of Northern Irish women, reunited under one roof. A house full of hungry ghosts, with more than one skeleton in the closet.
• BY TRIAL & ERROR, Sat 07 - Sun 08 Mar 2026, A delightful show of acrobatic lifts, full of humour borrowed from burlesque and silent cinema.
• WHERE WE BURY THE BONES, WED 11 MAR 2026. Where We Bury the Bones - the latest groundbreaking work from multi-award-winning duo John McIlduff and Brian Irvine of Dumbworld
• THE FIT PRINCE, Fri 13 - Sat 14 Mar 2026. The King is dead and the prince next in line to the throne is unmarried – if he doesn’t find someone soon he must forfeit the crown!
• THE STICKY DANCE, SAT 14 MAR 2026. The Sticky Dance is an interactive, engaging and colourful performance installation for children and their families.
• GROUP, Belfast Ensemble in association with the Lyric Theatre, 24 Mar – 4 Apr. First staged at the Lyric in 2002, this outrageous musical with a hit Broadway infused score has seen countless productions including New York, Philadelphia, Australia and London. 'If you like Book of Mormon and Avenue Q, you'll love Group’.
View all events at www.lyrictheatre.co.uk
Grand Opera House: presents an exciting series with highlights including,
• To Kill a Mockingbird, 24 Feb – 7 Mar. Embarking on a UK & Ireland tour for the very first time
• Miss Saigon, 10-21 Mar
• Third Class, the true story of Titanic survivor, Edward Dorking, 25-28 Mar
For tickets and to view the full programme please visit www.goh.co.uk
The Playhouse in Derry-Londonderry: presents,
• Front & Centre: International Women’s Day Playwriting Festival, 6-8 March
• Tom Crean – Antarctic Explorer, 18th March
• Tim McGarry - The Height of Nonsense, 18th April
• Craft Swap evening, 19 March
Visit www.derryplayhouse.co.uk
Linen Hall Library: Founded in 1788, it is the oldest library in Belfast. Linen Hall Library offers a year-round programme of arts and cultural events featuring authors, academics, historians, performers, and much more. Visit www.linenhall.com
Millennium Forum Derry-Londonderry: presents music, comedy, theatre and more with highlights including:
• Sofia City Ballet - Swan Lake, 5 March
• Kinky Boots, 11-14 March
• EA Music Springfest Concert, 25 March
• Al Murray, 26 March
• Ulster Orchestra Cbeebies Prom: Wildlife Jamboree, 29 March
• Ulster Orchestra On Your Doorstep: Highlands & Fjords, 25 April
The Millennium Form also has a number of regular accessible events including:
• Act Your Age, Age Friendly Drama Group – 2 sessions a month
• Moves & Melodies, age friendly song and dance workshop – monthly event
• Dementia Friendly Tea Dance – monthly event
• Energy of Light 15+ Disco – monthly disco
• Sensory Musical Theatre – weekly event
View all events at www.millenniumforum.co.uk
THE MAC: presents a fantastic programme of theatre, comedy music and talks with highlights including:
• David Lyttle Jazzlife Jam, drop-in every Saturday from 2:30pm – FREE
• Late Night Art, 5 March
• The Unexpected Gift, 7-8 March, age 7+
• The Little Prince, 7-8 March, age 7+
• The Offload with Donncha O’Callaghan and Tommy Bowe, 10 March
• Smash hit Irish comedian, Emma Doran – Emmaculate, 11 March
• Deaf Arts Festival, 14 March
• Belfast St. Patrick’s Day Music Festival, The Bow Brothers | Aoife Scott Band, 17 March
• Quick Fire Plays, 28 March
• Du Dance Unanimous, 2 April
• The Rainbow Factory presents Gold Medal Mary, 28 March
• Kabosh presents Cuckoo Land, 11-26 April. This high‑voltage piece of gig theatre, based on real political transcripts and lived experience, smashes open the true story of the Northern Ireland Women’s Coalition.
• Pianist Laraaji, 30 Apr
For all this and more visit www.themaclive.com
Crescent Arts Centre: presents a series of language, visual arts, craft, music, dance classes, and more plus workshops and events. Visit www.crescentarts.org for details.
Seamus Heaney HomePlace: has launched their programme for 2026. Visit https://seamusheaneyhome.com/u...
Strand Arts Centre: Silver Screenings at Belmont Bowling Club, every Thursday at 2pm. Silver Screenings is a great opportunity not just to see a movie classic, but also for people to meet and interact, and enjoy a trip down memory lane. Films are chosen with seniors in mind but open to anyone who loves a classic movie! Tickets are £4 and include free tea, coffee and biscuits.
To view the films that are showing visit www.strandartscentre.com
Newry Chamber Music: presents,
Visit https://newrychambermusic.org/whats-on/
Belfast Ensemble: presents GROUP, in association with the Lyric Theatre, 24 Mar – 4 Apr. First staged at the Lyric in 2002, this outrageous musical with a hit Broadway infused score has seen countless productions including New York, Philadelphia, Australia and London. 'If you like Book of Mormon and Avenue Q, you'll love Group’. Here, as part of the Lyric 75th anniversary, it comes home to join in the celebrations with a glorious live orchestra and stellar cast. For tickets visit www.lyrictheatre.co.uk
Northern Ireland Opera: presents,
• 20 March, Spring Solstice at the Ards Arts Centre. Celebrate the arrival of spring with a delightful hour of music from Northern Ireland Opera.
• Northern Ireland Opera makes a spectacular return to the Grand Opera House in September 2026 with a brand-new production of Bizet’s Carmen, one of the grandest operas of them all. NI Opera will bring to life the powerful story of Carmen, a passionate, intelligent woman who dares to challenge convention, pursuing seduction, love and her freedom. Filled with famous arias including the Habanera and the Toreador song, book now for an evening of fiery emotion in one of best-loved operas ever written. Performances take place on 12, 15,17, and 19 September 2026.
Visit www.niopera.com for more information on all events.
Moving on Music: presents,
• Ruth McGinley: Glass and Beyond- FRI 6 MARCH | FLOWERFIELD ARTS CENTRE, PORTSTEWART | SHOW 8PM
• 15 April, Adjunct Ensemble & Bill Orcutt
• 16 April, RÓIS & Brìghde Chaimbeul
• 18 April, أحمد [Ahmed]
• 30 April, Laraaji
Visit www.movingonmusic.com
Portico of Ards, Portaferry
• 07 March, The Gesualdo Six
• 14 March, Songs and Sounds from home. The Henry Girls and Lore
• 15 March, Piatti Quartet: The Cinematic Experience
• 22 March, Feel Good Festival: Spring Equinox Sound Spa
• 19 April, Craig Ogden with the Aquarelle Guitar Quartet
• 3 May, Conor Mallon Band
Visit https://www.porticoards.com/wh...
Ulster Orchestra:
• 6 March, Dreams & Visions, Berlioz’ Symphonie fantastique, Rebecca Clarke, Debussy and Timothy Ridout.
• 7 March, Ocean in Concert, 3Arena Dublin
• 15 March, Bruch’s Violin Concerto and Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition
• 20 March, Of Rivers & Mountains, Falla, Francisco Coll, Smetana and Sean Shibe
• 28 March, CBeebies Prom: Wildlife Jamboree (Belfast)
• 29 March, CBeebies Prom: Wildlife Jamboree (Derry~Londonderry)
• 3 April, Paths to Peace, Brahms, Vaughan Williams, Panufnik, the Belfast Philharmonic Choir and Ioana Petcu-Colan
• 25 April, On Your Doorstep: Highlands & Fjords – Guildhall Derry~Londonderry. Join the Ulster Orchestra and conductor Rolf Verbeek in the Guildhall for a concert that spans the Scottish Highlands and the Norwegian Fjords.
Visit https://www.ulsterorchestra.or... to view the full programme.
Walled City Music Festival: The Walled City Music Festival returns to Derry from 12-15 March with another unforgettable celebration of world-class classical music. Visit https://walledcitymusic.com/wc...
Dumbworld: presents Where We Bury the Bones, 11 March, Lyric Theatre. Where We Bury the Bones – the latest groundbreaking work from multi-award-winning duo John McIlduff and Brian Irvine (Olivier Award-nominated and four-time Ivor Novello winner) of Dumbworld – arrives at The Lyric Theatre, Belfast, for one night only. At once poetic and provocative, Where We Bury the Bones sings the unspoken stories buried in our soil. Visit https://dumbworld.co.uk/projec...
Sestina: presents,
• 6 March, Out of Darkness, Musical Reflections at Passiontide, Christ Church Derry~Londonderry
• 17 April, Out of Darkness, Musical Reflections at Passiontide, Fisherwick Presbyterian Church, Belfast
• 7 March, J.S. Bach Easter Oratorio, Fisherwick Presbyterian Church, Belfast
• 6 June, Next Generation Artists Showcase, Fisherwick Presbyterian Church, Belfast
Visit https://www.sestinamusic.com/
Cappella Caeciliana: presents Mozart Requiem with the Ulster Youth Orchestra, Sun, 29 March, 6:30PM Clonard Monastery, Belfast. General Admission: £20 • Under 25s: £5. Visit https://caeciliana.org/
Oh Yeah Centre Belfast: The NI Music exhibition at Oh Yeah is the only permanent exhibit for popular music in Northern Ireland. There is much to see, including a series of storyboards documenting and plotting the history and the stories of Folk, Punk, Rock, Jazz and more. Visit www.ohyeahbelfast.com for this and all events.
The Black Box: presents a varied programme of music, comedy, street art tours and other arts events. For further information visit www.blackboxbelfast.com
Scott’s Jazz Club: Scott's Jazz Club runs a weekly concert in Ballyhackamore club 1a Sandown Road every Friday Night from 9pm. For upcoming performances visit Scott's Jazz Club (scottsjazzclub.com)
Dock Street Jazz Club: Upstairs at the American Bar, Belfast. Homegrown MOBO-nominated drummer David Lyttle and Dock Street Jazz Club regulars feature acclaimed guests and NI talent - . Visit https://www.citizenticket.com/...
Beyond Skin/International Women’s Day: presents Concert Tarang - Wave of Melodies on 7th March, 7pm at the Whitla Hall, QUB. Graceful Bharatanatyam by dancers Swaralipi & Karunya unfolds into the ecstatic sufi whirling dance of Fahima Mirzaie, the only woman whirling dancer from Afghanistan joined by Irish/Turkish whirling dancer Anna Rüia Ayylidiz. Audiences will also experience soulful Iranian music by Omid Asghari (setar) and Arya Ahmadi's evocative piano. There will also be Indian classical music of Pt. Prattyush Banerjee, exquisitely accompanied on tabla by Gurdain Rayatt. For tickets visit https://www.beyondskin.net/tar...
Youth Action/Rainbow Factory: presents Gold Medal Mary on 28 March at the MAC. Visit https://www.therainbowfactory....
Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin, Derry~Londonderry:
• 17 March, celebrate St. Patrick's Day with events and activities for the whole family, tasty bites from the cafe, and live music from the music academy, An tAcadamh Caoimhín Uí Dochartaigh
• 17 March, Ceolchoirm | Grooveline agus Jack Houston Trio, 6:30pm
• 20 March, Club Trad, as a musician or listener, whether just starting out or plenty confident as is, you’ll be warmly welcomed to the bar at the Cultúrlann on the second last Friday of every month. Led by a different musician each month, you can expect a slow session from seven to eight, and a regular session from eight to ten (or later if the craic is good), as well as supportive company in a welcoming environment.
• 28 March, Concert | Eugene McGuinness
Visit https://www.culturlann.org/eve...
In Your Space Circus: is offering KIDS' AERIAL CLASSES across a 4-week aerial course for kids aged 6-8 and 9-12 years. Cost: £40. Aerial classes take place at the Glassworks, Derry. New members are welcome, but places are very limited, so get in QUICK to avoid disappointment!! All classes can be booked at: https://bookwhen.com/inyourspa...
Circusful: No matter your age or experience — Circusful has something for everyone!
• Itty Bitty circus classes are shaped to each child’s age and development needs. Suitable for ages 2-7, whether your child is a budding acrobat or has never taken a tumble, the skilled Circusful team will help them to find their confidence, gain coordination and have fun.
• Adult Circus - Think you’re too old to learn circus skills? Think again. Circusful has been teaching aerial skills, acrobatics and juggling to grown-ups for decades. Their Circus Skills for Adults class has different skill options available - whether you are a budding aerialist or completely new to Circus simply sign up.
Visit www.circusful.org to find out more.
Crescent Arts Centre: has a new term of classes to book and enjoy now. From visual arts, language classes, acting, dance, music making and more, there’s something for all tastes. Visit www.crescentarts.org
Duncairn: presents live music with highlights including,
• 7 March, Polar Bolero - Singing and Sailing Away EP Launch
• 30 April, Carsie Blanton + The Burning Hell
• 2 May, Cerys Hafana
The Duncairn also has a range of workshops and craft classes and courses. For further details and to view the full programme of events visit www.theduncairn.com
Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich: presents,
• Irish Language Intensive Course. Intensive courses are a great way to boost your language skills in a short space of time. The course will be both motivating and informative and will take your confidence in the Irish language to another level. The levels we offer are: Bunrang|Beginner , Meanrang | Intermediate , Ardrang | Advanced . Please email [email protected] for more information
• Yoga Classes with Dunla, 6:30-7:30pm, £5. No need to register, just pay on arrival.
For this and more visit www.culturlann.ie
Greater Shantallow Community Arts: presents Spill The Tae Youth Led Podcast from the young people at Studio2/GSCA. This amazing group of creative young people have launched their very own podcast and it can be found on Spotify or Apple Podcast.
Eden Place Arts Centre: in Derry-Londonderry has an exciting range of courses and workshops to get your creative juices flowing including wood sculpture, Inner Landscapes, Abstract Art, Ceramics, Painting for Beginners, Contemporary Botanical Watercolours, Landscape Painting Life Painting, Spinning and Weaving plus Portrait Painting, among others. All courses are designed for adults aged 18+. Visit www.edenplaceartscentre.com
WheelWorks Arts: presents,
ArtCart: Unique to WheelWorks Arts (WWA) is their ArtCart community engagement and outreach programme, which brings creative and artistic activities to your community. ArtCart is also the name WWA gives to its bespoke vehicle that can travel across Northern Ireland and transform into a unique workshop space. ArtCart is available for hire at youth, community, education, and festival events, bringing artistic and creative activities to the community. For further information and to hear about their special Art Cart offers over Christmas, visit https://www.wheelworksarts.com or email [email protected]
TS3 Programme: The Tech Studio Skills Share (TS3 programme) is a new initiative by WheelWorks Arts (WWA) that offers training to help people improve their creativity and skills in digital communication by harnessing the specialist artistic expertise of the WWA team. They are now offering a range of training opportunities to the corporate and commercial sectors. For further information, visit https://www.wheelworksarts.com
Streetwise Community Circus: Fancy learning how to juggle and other circus skills?
To take advantage of this opportunity all you have to do is email Streetwise on [email protected] suitable for participants who range in age from 8 to 80+.
The MAC Belfast: presents,
The Lost Paintings: A Prelude to Return, 23 Jan – 26 Mar. This exhibition gathers 53 artists from Palestine and its diaspora across time and borders to reimagine the missing works of Maroun Tomb.
Visit www.themaclive.com
Craft NI Gallery presents: Sarah Cather’s solo show, MATERIAL ALCHEMY, which is now open to the public at Craft NI Gallery and runs until March 27, 2026. A mixed media artist from Co. Down, Sarah approaches her practice as a modern-day archaeologist. Visit www.craftni.org
Seacourt Print Workshop: Seacourt is a friendly open-access print workshop based in the seaside town of Bangor, Northern Ireland. They offer membership, courses and resources for all, as well as our self-arranged residency programme and exhibitions. Visit https://seacourtprintworkshop....
Queen Street Studios: presents QSS Artists – ‘The Collectors: Unified Diversity’, continues until 6 March, R-Spce Gallery, Lisburn. Emerging artists from Northern Ireland – Ian Cumberland, Alana Barton, Jane Rainey, Grace McMurray among them, are shown alongside internationally renowned artists Banksy, Phil Frost, Barry McGee and Jess Wilson, and other established names. A variety of artworks are on display, including photorealistic portraits, graffiti-inspired works, intriguing sculptures and vibrant abstract pieces. Visit https://www.queenstreetstudios...
Golden Thread Gallery: Belfast's leading contemporary art gallery, located at 23-29 Queen Street, BT1 6EA. Free Entry.
• Insight into the Other, 14 Feb – 18 April 2026. Artworks by alumni, staff, and faculty from the University of Massachusetts Boston’s Art & Art History Department, co-organized by the University Hall Gallery. Curated by Sam Toabe and Sarah McAvera. The exhibition is an exchange between Belfast and Boston that looks at how place affects how we see art and each other.
Golden Thread Gallery also has a range of other events on including:
• Mindful Colouring Drop-In Workshops (ages 18+). No booking required, just drop in!
• Out of Office Drop-In Sessions Wednesdays 12-2PM. All materials are provided, as well as tea, coffee & biscuits. No booking required, just drop in!
• Family Workshops, ages 4-11, every Saturday
For all of the above, and more https://goldenthreadgallery.co...
PS2/Paragon Studios: www.pssquared.org
Belfast Exposed: presents,
Gallery I: Re-presenting Representations of Representation: Revisited, 5 Feb – 21 Mar 2026. This exhibition explores the history of performance art through the lens of its documentation. Rather than presenting performance as a fixed or singular event, Peter Richards asks a fundamental question: do we know performance art itself, or do we know its images?
Gallery II: Things Like That. 5 Feb – 21 Mar 2026, a newly commissioned film and installation by Trish Morrissey, developed in response to the Belfast Exposed Archive. This commission forms part of the organisation’s long-term strategy to reanimate the archive as an active, living resource—one that invites contemporary artists to engage critically with its material, histories and systems of knowledge.
Belfast Exposed also offers a range of photography and videography training courses. Visit www.belfastexposed.com
VOID Art Centre: presents, Barbara Steveni, I Find Myself, Jan 20, 2026 - Apr 4, 2026. The exhibition I Find Myself encompasses the artist’s life’s work, drawing together her practice and her experimentation with materials, media and strategies across a career spanning more than seventy years. Visit www.derryvoid.com
CCA: presents, IT’S NOT CLEAR FROM HERE, 17 Jan 26—14 Mar 26. Artists Thomas Hunter, Sabi Nicholson, Lucy Tevlin. IT’S NOT CLEAR FROM HERE draws on archival material and lens-based media to explore how images are shaped by time, technology and the act of looking. Across photography and film, the works reflect on technological change, environmental crisis and questions of belonging, presenting images as unstable, partial and often elusive. Visit www.ccadld.org for more details.