Morning! We've a couple of birthdays to celebrate this week.
Belfast is marking five years as a UNESCO City of Music, while our Belfast Brief Pick is a cool local emporium celebrating its 13th year!
We're also taking a closer look at The Commons, a fantastic community initiative, and sharing lots more activities from across the city.
Plus, there's fresh Roman-style pizza to discover on the Maritime Mile.
📌 THINGS WORTH KNOWING
5 years as UNESCO City of Music
Five years after receiving UNESCO City of Music status, Belfast is celebrating its music scene this month.
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Christmas Market opens
The festive stalls return to City Hall this Saturday 14 November, with food, gifts and Christmas browsing.
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NI Music Prize 2026
Tomorrow is one of the biggest nights in NI's music calendar, recognising the artists and bands of our home-grown music scene.
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⭐ BELFAST BRIEF PICK
Lucky 13 for East Belfast Gem
Sat 14 November · On The Square Emporium
If you've never explored On The Square Emporium, Saturday is a great excuse.
This independent antique and vintage warehouse is celebrating its 13th birthday with a Christmas showcase of local artists, live music, food trucks and family activities.
Free entry and lots of unusual things to browse.
📍 ACROSS THE CITY
⬆️ NORTH
SUPER SONG & ABAIR AMHRÁN
Sun 15 November · The Duncairn
A free family morning of music, crafts and Irish-language song from 11am-1:30pm.
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⬇️ SOUTH
BELFAST MUSIC STORIES
Sun 15 November · The Harrison
A 90-minute guided journey through the city's music history, told through the stories and surroundings of The Harrison.
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➡️ EAST
FINE & DANDY MARKET
Sun 15 November · Titanic Hotel
Artists, designers, craftspeople and artisan food producers, with handmade jewellery, prints, gifts and other creative finds.
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⬅️ WEST
THE WOMEN OF BELFAST
Mon 16 November · Falls Road Library
Discover some of the women who helped shape Belfast, including voices often overlooked in the city's history.
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🎯 CITY CENTRE
RECORDS AND REPAIRS
Saturday 14 November
A nice double-header we’re suggesting:
Start with the free Allworthy Records fair at The HALT…
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Then cross the road towards Grand Central Station for RE[pair], a hands-on clothing repair café.
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🍽️ FOOD & DRINK
Taglio Pizza on the Maritime Mile
There's a new reason to take a lunchtime wander along the Maritime Mile.
Taglio serves fresh Roman-style pizza by the slice beside Native Coffee, with a handy waterfront location and a choice of toppings.
Check out our post here after our visit last week - it was so good!
RE[plate]: Food for Thought
Fri 13 November · 2 Royal Avenue
Free tastings of warming dishes, plus a chance to meet producers and discover how everyday ingredients can make good, affordable meals. It’s from 11am-2:30pm.
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🎵 LIVE MUSIC
Sliabh Luachra Celebration
Saturday 14 November · Stranmillis College
Explore the distinctive music and dance traditions of Sliabh Luachra through a special day of workshops, performance and shared music-making.
Spend the day in paid music workshops and a free dance workshop.
Then join them at The Commons from 7–10pm for tunes, steps and stories.
Secret Song at The Duncairn
Saturday 14 November · The Duncairn
An evening with a mystery line-up: audiences discover the performers only when they arrive. This special event brings original music and spoken word to several stages.
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Dani Larkin
Sunday 15 November · Crescent Arts Centre
Songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Dani Larkin brings her distinctive blend of folk storytelling and contemporary sound to the Crescent.
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🎻 Trad Music
Follow Belfast Session Guide for a complete listing of Irish music sessions across Belfast.
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🎭 ARTS & CULTURE
Outburst Queer Arts Festival
12-21 November · Citywide
Outburst celebrates its 20th year with theatre, film, music, exhibitions and conversations across Belfast starting on Thursday.
Quiet Hour at The Watson
Wednesday 11 November · The Watson
Bring your current read upstairs for a relaxed Silent Bookclub with Lit(erature) to the Tit community. A £5 coffee purchase supports Keats & Chapman's bookshop plans.
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👨👩👧👦 FAMILY PICK
Santa's Arrival Parade
Saturday 14 November · Castlecourt
A free festive parade makes its way from City Hall to CastleCourt, with characters and performers along the route.
Entertainment at CastleCourt starts at 11am, before the parade gets underway at noon.
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Sensory Christmas Lights Switch-On
Saturday 14 November · 2 Royal Avenue
In the evening, a quieter, sensory-friendly alternative to the main Christmas lights switch-on, with sensory snow play and an indoor tree-lighting.
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Belfast Zoo's 2-for-1 weekends
Belfast Zoo provides two for one weekend admissions throughout November.
For older teens (15-18) there is also a cool-looking hands-on workshop to explore animal behaviour on Saturday 14 from 9:30am.
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🌿 GET OUTDOORS
RE[screen]: Climate Outdoor Cinema
Wednesday 11 November · Native Coffee
Wrap up warm for free outdoor short films about climate, community and the future, followed by a conversation with local guests. 5:30-7:30pm.
RE[discover]: Health and Celtic Walk
Sunday 15 November · Ligoniel Village
Explore North Belfast's natural beauty on a guided walk discovering local wildlife, Celtic traditions and the area's linen-making heritage from 11am.
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💛 COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
The Commons on Ormeau Road
We love this place!
The Commons’ signature offering - The Community Meal - started back last Thursday with more than 100 people enjoying food, conversation and belonging. It’s on every Thursday at 5:30pm.
The space is also home for an eclectic mix of community events throughout the week including community choirs, Trad Sessions, comedy nights, meeting rooms and more.
It holds Belfast’s first exclusively dry bar and food & coffee Thursday - Sunday.
The Commons is run by the incredibly warm Dave & Jill Hines along with a brilliant band of part-time staff & volunteers.
Check out what they offer here and do get involved in some of what is going on.
⏭️ LOOKING AHEAD
Check out the 16 events to look forward to in Belfast this November, from festivals and family days out to the Christmas lights.
📸 BELFAST IN FOCUS
Different views of the city, captured by local photographers.
Thanks to Monika Prorokova for this incredible shot of the moon behind ARC apartments in Titanic Quarter. You can follow Monika Prorokova Photography on Instagram.
👋 UNTIL NEXT WEEK
Thanks for reading!
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