October begins on Thursday, and Belfast is already looking very autumnal. We loved this photo from Joe McNeill who was happy for us to share…

There are plenty of reasons to be out and about this week. Late Night Art offers a free way to explore Belfast’s galleries, before Belfast Coffee Festival takes over Carlisle Memorial at the weekend. There’s also new local theatre, lots of live music and a family movie preview.

Here’s Belfast this week…

Bounce Arts Festival returns from Wednesday to Sunday, celebrating the creativity, talent and powerful artistic voices of d/Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent artists.

There’s comedy, music, theatre, film, literature, visual art and talks, with several events free. This year’s theme is Arts and Activism. It’s an important Belfast festival with plenty worth discovering.

FIND OUT MORE →

Belfast City Airport’s consultation on its ‘Master Plan 2040’ opens today. Plans include up to £200 million of investment, extending night flights to 10.30pm, and a direct rail stop at the terminal.

If you feel strongly either way, best to use your voice now rather than later.

FIND OUT MORE →

October brings a month of free events and activities for older people across Belfast and online, covering everything from social and cultural events to learning and wellbeing.

If a parent, grandparent, neighbour - or you - might enjoy something, it’s worth a look.

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Thursday 1 October · Across the City

Late Night Art has been part of Belfast’s monthly rhythm for a while, but this is the first since we started Belfast Brief, and it’s the kind of night we want to share: free, local and a reason to step inside somewhere you might normally pass.

On the first Thursday of every month, Belfast’s galleries, studios and creative spaces stay open late (usually from 6–9pm) for exhibitions, events and a chance to have a look around.

A couple of stops that might be worth a look: Vault’s Time of the a Signs brings together altered street signs from more than 40 artists, while the Linen Hall launches Niamh Ferguson’s exhibition Hope is the Thing with Feathers.

It’s worth looking at this digital map or get a hands on a hard copy.

FIND OUT MORE →

Belfast Coffee Festival
3–4 October · Carlisle Memorial
A full weekend of roasters, tastings, competitions, workshops and music. Tickets are sold by session, with workshops booked separately.
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Whispers from the Reed
Friday 2 October · Accidental Theatre
Hollow Reed Theatre presents John Moriarty’s We’re Friends, Right? in a double bill with Anna Conway’s Carrots. Part of the wider Whispers from the Reed new-writing celebration.
More →

Blackstaff Community Week
5-10 October · Blackstaff Community
Events throughout the week starting next Monday, including a multicultural concert and fashion show. For more information, email [email protected]

Boundary Comedy Club
Sunday 4 October · Boundary Taproom
A new monthly comedy night launches with Paddy McDonnell headlining, Darren Matthews hosting, plus Lianne McCooey and Ciaran Franco. £15, or £20 with a beer.
More →

Mum on the run
Tuesday 29 September · Falls Road Library
Tracey Atkinson shares the story behind The Diary of a Mum on the Run: surviving seizures and brain surgery before taking on 12 races in 12 countries in 12 months.
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Eight plays, 1 night (tonight!)
Tuesday 29 September · Black Box
Belfast Playwrights packs eight ten-minute plays by emerging local writers into one evening.
More →

Erbil Restaurant & Cafe
A new Kurdish restaurant has arrived in south Belfast this month, with everything from traditional Kurdish breakfasts and fresh naan to shawarma, falafel and charcoal grills.

We popped in last week & had a great big falafel plate. Really good.

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Noodles at 316 Mein
316 Mein on Donegall Pass specialises in Hong Kong and Sichuan-style noodle dishes, from wontons and tofu to rich broths and meatier bowls. A recent Irish News review gives it the thumbs up.
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Our TocToc giveaway ends tomorrow, with five Belfast Brief readers winning a £20 voucher. Winners announced in next week’s Belfast Brief.

We chatted to TocToc owner, Raha, last week about the café (see on Instagram →)

Want a bonus entry? Forward this email to a friend or family member and c.c. [email protected])

Thursday 1 October · The Black Box

Three visually impaired Northern Irish artists come together for a one-night-only show as part of Bounce Arts Festival.

Joe Kenny, Andrea Begley and Future Her bring songwriting, alt-folk and harmonies to The Black Box, with audio description, level access, trained sighted guides and free companion tickets available.

A distinctive Belfast gig, with accessibility built in.

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🎶 The Sound Stage
Sat 3 & Sun 4 October · Titanic Belfast
Free afternoon live music in Titanic Belfast’s Grand Atrium, with Paul Archer on Saturday before young Isa-Mae Lyle on Sunday, on the same day she appears in the final of Junior Eurovision Ireland.
More →

🎸 The HU
Mon 5 October · Telegraph Building
Mongolian rock band bring their distinctive fusion of heavy rock and traditional Mongolian influences.
More →

🪕 Rhiannon Giddens
Sat 3 October · Ulster Hall
Grammy and Pulitzer-winning musician exploring folk, roots and the overlooked history behind American music.
More →

🎻 Traditional Irish
Follow Belfast Session Guide for a complete listing of traditional Irish music sessions and gigs across Belfast:
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Saturday 3 October · ODEON Belfast

Cinemagic is bringing an advance family screening of the new animated adventure Rufus: The Sea Serpent Who Couldn’t Swim to ODEON Belfast this Saturday.

At around 80 minutes, it looks like a lovely option for younger children - and a chance to see something new.

FIND OUT MORE →

✍️ Poetry in the Park
Saturday 3 October · Crescent Gardens
A free drop-in day of poetry, nature and creativity, including readings and workshops for both adults and children.
More →

🕸️ The Addams Family
29 September–3 October · Grand Opera House
The spooky musical comedy comes to Belfast for the week, with plenty of familiar Addams Family characters and songs. Recommended for ages 8+
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🧱 Bridging the Gap
Saturday 3 October · W5 LIFE
Build a K’nex bridge, test how much weight it can hold and see whose design survives. Two free drop-in sessions run from 10am–12.30pm and 1.30–4pm.
More →

🃏Belfast Collectibles Show
Sunday 4 October · Europa Hotel
More than 50 traders bring together LEGO, Pokémon, football shirts, sports cards, One Piece, Magic and plenty more. It’s open to all ages and could be a good one for young collectors.
More →

Need more ideas for the kids?
Our Belfast Brief Family Guide has more things to do, places to go and family-friendly ideas around Belfast.

Saturday 3 October · Divis Lower Car Park

Local wildlife expert Aidan Crean leads a free raptor-spotting walk on Divis. Autumn can bring merlins, hen harriers and short-eared owls to the Belfast Hills, alongside resident buzzards, ravens, kestrels and peregrines.

It’s free, but spaces are limited and booking is essential.

FIND OUT MORE →

🧗Belfast’s new climbing tower
Belfast Activity Centre · Barnett’s Demesne
BAC opened its new wooden climbing tower this summer, with different routes, a fan descender and a “leap of faith”. Suitable for beginners as well as more confident climbers.
More →

💃 French Evening of Dance
Saturday 3 October · An Droichead
Try easy-to-follow French circle and couple dances with live music and instruction throughout. No partner or previous experience needed.
More →

Anyone familiar with Belfast at night over the past 20 years will know SOS Bus NI, providing Safe Spaces on the streets and supporting vulnerable people.

The team is currently appealing for new volunteers. No previous experience is needed, and training is provided in first aid, mental health support and helping people get safely to where they need to be.

If you’ve ever thought about getting involved, this is a worthwhile Belfast organisation to give your time to. They also welcome donations to support their work.

Find out more / Volunteer with SOS Bus →

A surviving section of wall and gatepost on the Donegall Road marks something thousands of people pass by each day without knowing what lies behind it.

More than 10,000 men, women and children from the former Belfast Workhouse were buried there in unmarked graves after local cemeteries reached capacity. The workhouse itself opened in 1841.

A permanent plaque was only installed this May, finally giving this largely hidden part of Belfast’s history a visible marker.

FIND OUT MORE →

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

Coming Soon:

8–10 OCT
🩰 Melissa Hamilton’s Grand Ballet Gala
Grand Opera House
International stars join local Royal Ballet principal

11 OCT
🏃 Belfast Pink Run
Titanic Slipways
Family 5K supporting breast cancer services

14 OCT-8 NOV
🎭 Belfast International Arts Festival
Across Belfast
200+ events across more than 30 venues

Later this Autumn:

22 OCT
🍽️ Jack McGarry Culinary Salon
Academy Restaurant, Ulster University
Dead Rabbit co-founder returns for special dinner

29 OCT-7 NOV
🎬 Belfast Film Festival
New cinema, filmmakers and special events

6-16 NOV
🎶 Sound of Belfast
Across Belfast
A citywide celebration of Belfast music

14 NOV
🎄 Belfast Christmas Lights Switch-on
City Hall
Ticket-release details still to come

15 NOV
🏃 Belfast City 5K Festive Fun Run
City Hall
City-centre 5K. Festive dress encouraged.

Seen something happening around Belfast that we should know about?

Send it our way - whether it’s a great new spot, a brilliant event or simply something that made you stop and look.

SEND US YOUR RECOMMENDATION →

That’s your Belfast Brief for this week.

We’ll be back next Tuesday with more of what’s happening, what’s new and what’s worth knowing around Belfast.

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