Greetings from Wolf & Seahorse
We hope your diary has some room, because the Belfast International Arts Festival opens on Wednesday and Oktoberfest arrives at Custom House Square on Thursday.
Hello Charlie, Caoimhe Farren's dark comedy about two sisters, is at the Lyric on Wednesday and Thursday as part of the festival. Liam Ó Maonlaí and Úna Monaghan play Áras Mhic Reachtain on Friday.
Fans of the film have The Commitments' 35th anniversary at Mandela Hall on Friday, with original star Robert Arkins and a nine-piece band. Oktoberfest runs to Saturday, with Oom Pa Pa music every night.
Comedy and talks get a look in too: Alan Davies is at the Ulster Hall on Tuesday, and Mary Beard follows on Wednesday.
This is our pick of what's on this week. As always for a full event list check out the link at the bottom of the email.
Let's dive in 👇
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
Belfast International Arts Festival
Wednesday 14 October to Sunday 8 November · Venues across Belfast
The festival's 64th edition has over 200 events across 30 venues, covering theatre, dance, music, literature and visual arts, plus a new immersive arts strand. Orchestra Baobab from Senegal opens it on Wednesday.
A Celebration of The Commitments starring Robert Arkins
Friday 16 October · 19:00 · Mandela Hall
It's 35 years since the film, and original stars Robert Arkins and Kenneth McCluskey mark it with a Q&A and film footage. Arkins' nine-piece band and special guests then play the film's soul hits.
Oktoberfest Belfast
Thursday 15 to Saturday 17 October · 17:00 · Custom House Square
German beer, bratwurst from the grill and Oom Pa Pa music every night. Pete Snodden does a DJ set on Thursday, Green Means Go play on Friday and Shockwave close the weekend on Saturday.
An Evening with Leo Miyagee
Tuesday 13 October · 21:30 · The Black Box
Zimbabwe-born Belfast artist Leo Miyagee mixes hip-hop, soul, jazz and alternative sounds with stories about identity and resilience. The set is part of the Cinemagic Black History Month programme.
Essentially Cher: Live in Concert
Friday 16 October · 19:45 · Theatre at the Mill, Newtownabbey
Trisha McCluney takes on Cher's greatest hits with a six-piece live band and dancers.
Let It Be: The Music of the Beatles
Friday 16 October · 20:00 · ISLAND Arts Centre, Lagan Valley Island, Lisburn
A live Beatles concert played by Irish musicians, including Jake Carter.
Negative Creeps: Nirvana Tribute
Friday 16 October · 19:30 · The Belfast Empire Music Hall
A Nirvana tribute band working through songs from across the Seattle band's catalogue.
Liam Ó Maonlaí and Úna Monaghan
Friday 16 October · Áras Mhic Reachtain, Antrim Road
Liam Ó Maonlaí, of Hothouse Flowers fame, is also a solo artist whose work includes music for radio and television. Here he plays with Belfast harper Úna Monaghan as part of the Belfast International Arts Festival.
Fontaines C.D.
Saturday 17 October · The Limelight 2
A tribute to Dublin post-punk band Fontaines D.C.
A Fontaines DC Club Night
Saturday 17 October · The Limelight
Fontaines DC are the name on this late-night club night, but the band themselves won't be appearing.
Celine: My Heart Will Go On
Sunday 18 October · 19:30 · Mandela Hall
A tribute concert to Celine Dion with a live band, taking in four decades of hits including The Power of Love, All By Myself, Because You Loved Me and My Heart Will Go On.
Alan Davies: Think Ahead
Tuesday 13 October · 19:00 · Ulster Hall
Think Ahead is Alan Davies' stand-up tour, full of storytelling and sharply observed comedy. You might know him from QI.
Bloody Pit of Horror (1965)
Tuesday 13 October · 19:30 · The Sunflower Public House, 65 Union Street
A 1960s Italian horror screening from the Readers in the Rue Morgue film club, to kick off spooky season.
Hello Charlie
Wednesday 14 to Thursday 15 October · 20:00 · Lyric Theatre, Naughton Studio
Sisters Maeve and Kate have left a traumatic past in Derry behind for London. Maeve blames her drinking on an alter ego called Charlie, and Kate watches history repeat itself.
It's a dark comedy about addiction by Caoimhe Farren, and part of the Belfast International Arts Festival.
Mary Beard: The Secret Histories of Ancient Rome
Wednesday 14 October · 19:30 · Ulster Hall
Historian Mary Beard looks at the lives left out of the history books and links Roman politics to today, with questions from the audience.
Emma Doran: Emmaculate
Sunday 18 October · Ulster Hall
The Irish comedian, author and podcast host turns the ups and downs of her blended family, womanhood and relationships into stand-up.
Spooky Sculpt and Sip
Sunday 18 October · 12:00 to 14:00 · Revolución de Cuba, Arthur Street
An artist-led clay sculpting session with step-by-step instruction. No experience needed, and you take your finished air-dry clay piece home.
Pumpkins and Potions Live Show
Saturday 17 October · 15:00 and 16:30 · W5 Lecture Theatre, Queen's Quay
W5's Potion Masters brew exploding pumpkins, fizzing potions and slime in a Halloween science show, with the audience joining in.
Wildlife Wellbeing Walks
Saturday 17 October · 10:00 to 12:00 · Springfield Dam, main car park
Bird expert Dot Blakely leads a walk through the local plants and wildlife. Light refreshments are provided, and binoculars are handy if you have them.
Centra Run Together 5k & 10k
Sunday 18 October · Ormeau Park
A 5k and 10k charity run for Action Cancer, now in its 10th year. Runners get a T-shirt and an anniversary medal.
Wes Anderson Themed Pottery Painting
Tuesday 20 October · 17:00 · Belfast Pottery Painting, Victoria Street
A Wes Anderson night at the painting studio, with themed stencils, an artist on hand to help, music and prizes. Pieces are glazed and fired afterwards, ready to collect in a few weeks.
Living Library 2026
Date to be confirmed · City centre venue to be confirmed
A library of people instead of books: borrow a "human book" for a 20-minute one-to-one conversation and see the world from a different perspective.
For a full overview of all events on this week in Belfast check out our event listings page
UNTIL NEXT WEEK
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