Logos Hope has brought more than 5,000 books aboard its floating book fair. Entry is free and they expect 30,000 visitors. The ship is closed on Mondays and is in Belfast until 20 October.

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Know an East Belfast teacher, volunteer, local business or community champion who deserves recognition? Public nominations for the Eastside Awards close on Friday.

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William and Kate visited The Commons on the Ormeau Road on Friday, meeting community groups and projects linked to homelessness. We’ve featured The Commons previously and will return with a Community Spotlight in the coming weeks as phase two of its three-phase transformation opens.

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Saturday 17 October · C.S. Lewis Square

A 12-foot moving wheel, five dancers and Belfast’s Beat Carnival will transform C.S. Lewis Square for Parade, a free outdoor performance as part of Belfast International Arts Festival.

Shows are at 1pm and 3.30pm and last about 70 minutes. No booking or payment needed - just turn up and find a good spot.

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ARTISAN MARKET AT BELFAST CASTLE
Sunday 18 October · Belfast Castle
Browse work by local artists, makers and craftspeople in a pretty special setting. It’s a good excuse to explore the castle grounds too.
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ORMEAU COMMUNITY CINEMA
Tuesday 13 October · 7–9pm ·Sunnyside Street
Ormeau Community Cinema brings the cult sci-fi film to a small neighbourhood screening space.
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FINE & DANDY MAKERS’ MARKET
Sunday 18 October · 12–4pm · Titanic Hotel
Explore stalls from independent artists, designers and food makers inside the historic Titanic Hotel. Around 50 traders are expected.
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BATTLE OF THE BANDS
Saturday 17 October · Beehive Belfast
Five local bands compete for a place in the next round and a chance to win £1,000. The audience gets a vote alongside the judges.
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LIVING LIBRARY
Tuesday 13 October · Venue TBC
Book a 20-minute conversation with someone whose life experience may challenge your assumptions. 14 ‘human books’ to choose from.
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186 opened in August, but is new to Belfast Brief and brings the first proper sit-in coffee stop in the area. They servce Belfast’s White Star Coffee, local cakes, vegan and gluten-free choices and Basque cheesecake.

It’s a good option if you live in the area or are exploring that side of Ormeau Park.

186 COFFEE ON INSTAGRAM→

The pre-theatre menu offers two courses for £21 or three for £26, Monday to Thursday from 4–6pm. It’s location, halfway between the Grand Opera House and Ulster Hall, make it perfect if you have a show booked.

SEE THE OFFER →

Tuesday 13 October · The Black Box · Free

Local artist, Leo Miyagee brings a sound that moves between hip-hop, soul, jazz and alternative music. His songs draw on identity and personal experience, and tonight’s free performance is part of Cinemagic’s Black History Month programme.

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INTERNATIONAL HARP DAY SESSION
Saturday 17 October · The American Bar
A harp-led traditional session for Lá na Cruite. Listen in or bring an instrument and join the music; confirm entry details directly with the bar.
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BRÓNA McVITTIE: ALBUM LAUNCH
Friday 16 October · Oh Yeah Music Centre
Electroharp, voice and folklore meet as the Belfast musician launches her fourth solo album.
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Saturday 17 October · Belfast Barge · £3

A kids film on a boat? Cinemagic is screening The Tigger Movie aboard the Belfast Barge to mark 100 years of Winnie-the-Pooh. Tigger sets off to find his family in this cheerful 77-minute adventure.

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THE SORCERER’S APPRENTICE
10–25 October · Cityside
We featured this last week, and Cahoots have offered readers 10% off tickets for this family show. Use code BELFASTBRIEF when booking.
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MIND OVER MARSHMALLOWS
Saturday 17 October · W5 · Free
A Festival of Social Science workshop exploring how children make decisions and handle feelings through games and challenges.
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Need more ideas for the kids?
Our Family Guide has more things to do, places to go and family ideas around Belfast. Let us know what’s missing - we’ll be updating it again soon.

Saturday 17 October · Free

Join bird expert Dot Blakely for an easy-paced look at the wildlife around Springfield Park and Dam in West Belfast. Bring sturdy shoes and binoculars if you have them; some can be borrowed. Meet at the main car park and book your place by emailing the council using the details on its event page.

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Beneath the streets of Belfast flows a hidden river that helped give the city its name.

The River Farset once ran openly through the heart of Belfast, with boats unloading along its banks on what is now High Street.

The name Belfast comes from the Irish Béal Feirste, often translated as ‘mouth of the Farset’ or ‘mouth of the sandbank ford’, where the river met the Lagan.

Covered over more than 200 years ago, the Farset still flows beneath High Street today and the tunnel is said to be wide enough to drive a bus down it.

Next time you’re walking around Cathedral Quarter, remember the river just 60cm beneath your feet.

FIND OUT MORE →⁠

We’ll share more about these in future editions, but they’re worth putting in the diary now.

COMING SOON

20–24 OCT
🎭 PRIDE AND PREJUDICE* (*SORT OF)
Grand Opera House
A lively musical take on Austen

27–31 OCT
🎭 ANNIE
Grand Opera House
The much-loved musical returns to Belfast

29 OCT – 7 NOV
🎬 BELFAST FILM FESTIVAL
Various venues
New cinema from here and beyond

30–31 OCT
🎃 BELFAST ONE PUMPKIN PATCH
Belfast City Hall
Halloween pumpkins; advance booking may apply

LATER THIS AUTUMN

6–16 NOV
🎵 SOUND OF BELFAST
Various venues
Live music across the city

14 NOV
🎄 CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SWITCH-ON
Belfast City Hall
City-centre celebration; ticket details to follow

27–28 NOV
🏒 FRIENDSHIP FOUR
The O2 Belfast
College ice hockey returns to town

A different view of the city, captured by local photographers.

Thanks to Mark Cully for the brilliant photo of Belfast City Hall as seen from Linen Hall Library. You can follow Mark on Instagram.

Have a great week!

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