Libraries across Belfast are marking Book Week NI with free author talks, workshops, family activities and more. Wednesday 21 October is Love Your Library Day across all 96 Libraries NI branches. There’s loads happening so check out and support your local library.

FIND OUT MORE →

Keep your eyes above the shopfronts next week: nine giant inflatable monsters are returning to rooftops and windows around the city centre in Belfast One's free Halloween trail.

FIND OUT MORE →

The NI Open is back at Waterfront Hall, now ten years of the tournament in Belfast. It’s part of the World Snooker Tour with some of the world's best players competing for the Alex Higgins Trophy.

FIND OUT MORE →

Wednesday 21 October · The Black Box

Nine people, ten minutes each, sharing true personal stories on the theme of 'Them'uns'. Belfast's tenx9 storytelling night teams up with the Integrated Education Fund for an evening exploring the labels we give one another.

FIND OUT MORE →

SUPER SUNDAY FAMILY SESSION
Sunday 25 October · The Duncairn
Live music, children's crafts and DJ Paddy's record club from 10.30am - 4pm. All ages welcome and refreshments are available from Native Coffee.
More →

INKPOT COLLECTIVE’S WRITING CLUB
Sunday 25 October, 1–3pm · The Woodworkers
Inkpot Collective brings writers and beginners together for a relaxed couple of hours working on their own projects.
More →

BEHIND THE STUDIO DOOR
Sat 24 October · Creative Exch. & QSS Studios
Step inside the studios of more than 60 East Belfast artists. Meet the makers, explore their creative spaces and discover their work.
More →

SPOOKY GARDEN WORKSHOP
Wednesday 21 October · Banana Block
Get creative with The Green East and make your own miniature Halloween garden including spooky succulents and creepy cacti.
More →

FOLKLORE ON DIVIS
Sat 24 October · Divis & Black Mountain
Ravens, fairy trees and old superstitions get an outing on this free guided nature walk with a Halloween twist. It's suitable for children.
More →

SHEDMAN
Thursday 22–Saturday 24 October · The MAC
Keith Singleton's one-man show grew from research at Holywood Men's Shed and finds humour, companionship and harder truths in the things men make and mend together.
More →

After years of pop-ups, HiBurger opened its first sit-in restaurant a few weeks ago on the Antrim Road.

The founders are from North Belfast, and their new place adds table service and a drinks licence to the burgers that built their following.

FIND OUT MORE →

Fri 23 & Sat 24 October · La Roche House
Award-winning chef Joery Castel is hosting two evenings of five-course dining at La Roche House. The menu includes lobster laksa, Silver Hill duck and basil cake.
More →

Thursday 22 October, 8pm · Ulster Hall

Step back into Ireland's 1930s dance halls for an evening of traditional music, storytelling and dancing. Created by Edwina Guckian and featuring the Gralton Big Band, this show invites you to watch from the balcony or join the dancing yourself.

FIND OUT MORE →

🎹 XENIA PESTOVA BENNETT
Friday 23 October · Crescent Arts Centre
Acclaimed pianist Bennett performs Hans Otte's The Book of Sounds, a captivating journey through minimalist piano music.
More →

🎶 RUNNING OUT THE CLOCK
Thursday 22 October · Oh Yeah Music Centre
Belfast synth-pop four-piece Running Out the Clock launch their new single with REVÖLUTIØN and Alice Sloan.
More →

🎻 TRAD MUSIC
Follow Belfast Session Guide for a complete listing of traditional Irish music sessions across Belfast:
More →

Our guide to 12 free activities and events for children during the Halloween break is now live, with dates, locations and the details you need to plan a day out.

Discover some less obvious things to try around Belfast without spending a penny.

Saturday 24 October, 1–4pm · Rowallane Garden

ArtsEkta's free Harvest Feast brings food demonstrations, tastings, live music, storytelling, artisan producers and creative workshops into the gardens. It's a little beyond Belfast, but Rowallane is worth it!

FIND OUT MORE →

Wednesday 21 October, 6.30pm · Cave Hill

Men's Cavehill Walking Club meets for a regular midweek walk where the conversation matters as much as the climb. Meet from 6.20pm, bring a torch and suitable footwear and dress for a dark autumn evening.

FIND OUT MORE →

Until 1 November · Malone House

We visited Malone House alongside photographer Mark Cully, to meet artist Jason Gonzalez and see his exhibition, The Given Ground.

Originally from the Philippines, Jason creates landscapes and portraits exploring our relationship with nature.

His work is shaped by his experience of devastating floods, and he describes his process as a ‘collaboration with nature.’ He works primarily with organic debris - leaves, roots and branches instead of traditional paintbrushes.

We loved what we saw and heard and have brought together a few photographs from our visit, to give you a glimpse of this exhibition before it closes on 1 November.

FIND OUT MORE →

We're still getting going with Belfast Brief, and we'd love to know how we're doing.

Has Belfast Brief been useful to you so far by helping you discover somewhere new or learn something about Belfast?

Just tap an answer below - it only takes a few seconds and is completely anonymous:

✅ Yes

❌ No

🟡 Some editions more than others

COMING SOON

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

24-25 NOV
✨ CHRISTMAS TWILIGHT MARKET
St George’s Market
4-10pm for Festive Wonderland

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

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

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

Thanks to Six Mile Images for the lovely photo of the golden light falling across Belfast’s Harland & Wolff shipyard. You can follow on Instagram.

Thanks for reading. We'll be back next Tuesday, with another week of Belfast worth knowing about.

Over 1,700 received this email. If someone came to mind while you were reading, forward them this email and help more people find the best of Belfast:

Share Belfast Brief by WhatsApp

Share Belfast Brief by Email