Country to Country, David Kitt & Belfast TradFest

This week in Belfast, the city is building towards one of its best St Patrick's weekends in years. The SSE Arena has Country to Country across Friday to Sunday, the Belfast St Patrick's Music Festival runs 13-17 March with gigs across The MAC, Ulster Hall, Mandela Hall, Empire Music Hall and Oh Yeah, and Belfast TradFest brings an album launch and trad picnic to round out the weekend. Before all that: David Kitt at The Duncairn celebrating 25 years of The Big Romance, Ye Vagabonds at The MAC, Randy Feltface at Ulster Hall, and a full programme at the Black Box.

Here's what's in store this week:

⚫️ Country to Country, Belfast TradFest & the St Patrick's Music Festival

⚫️ David Kitt, Ye Vagabonds & The Bow Brothers/Aoife Scott at The MAC

⚫️ Comedy, film, art exhibitions and a bodhrán workshop

Let's dive in 👇

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Country to Country Festival 2026 Friday, 13 March to Sunday, 15 March SSE Arena

Three days of country music at the SSE Arena with a lineup that includes Keith Urban, Brooks & Dunn, Zach Top, Ty Myers and Alana Springsteen. The biggest country festival on the island, and this year's Belfast run is particularly strong. Individual day tickets available. SSE Arena

David Kitt: The Big Romance - 25th Anniversary Saturday, 14 March 20:00 The Duncairn

Twenty-five years since The Big Romance, and David Kitt is celebrating it in one of Belfast's most quietly special venues. An intimate evening that's well worth getting there early for - the Duncairn fills fast on nights like this. The Duncairn

Belfast St Patrick's Music Festival: Bow Brothers / Aoife Scott Band at The MAC Tuesday, 17 March The MAC

The headline concert of Belfast's St Patrick's Day - Féile an Phobail brings The Bow Brothers and the Aoife Scott Band to The MAC as part of a city-wide Festival Village across Writer's Square, Cathedral Car Park, St Anne's Square and The MAC. Free outdoor stages, music, dancing, circus and face-painting from 13:00 at Cathedral Gardens and St Anne's Square. The MAC

Bodysnatcher & Ingested + Psycho-Frame & Big Ass Truck Monday, 9 March 18:30 Limelight 2

A heavy start to the week - Bodysnatcher and Ingested headlining with Psycho-Frame and Big Ass Truck in support. For anyone who likes things loud and fast early in the week. Limelight

Skinty Tuesday, 10 March Lavery's

Skinty play Lavery's - a Belfast band worth watching in a room that suits them well. Lavery's

The Mersey Beatles Tuesday, 10 March 20:00 Ulster Hall

The Fab Four's most celebrated tribute band, fresh off a run of sell-out dates across Ireland and the UK. Ulster Hall is the right room for this - big enough for the full production, close enough to feel like a real concert. Ulster Hall

UFO Wednesday, 11 March 22:00 Limelight

Legendary British hard rock band UFO live at Limelight - over 50 years on the road and still delivering. Limelight

Oisín Duffin - Saturday Night Live Wednesday, 11 March 19:00 The Errigle Inn, Ormeau Road

Live music at the Errigle from Oisín Duffin - a Wednesday night that's worth the short trip down the Ormeau. The Errigle

Eve Belle // Garrett Laurie Wednesday, 11 March 19:00 The Black Box

A double bill at the Black Box featuring Eve Belle and Garrett Laurie - two artists who both deserve proper attention in a room that rewards it. Black Box

Ron Sexsmith & Band - Hangover Terrace Tour Thursday, 12 March 19:00 Limelight 1

The Canadian singer-songwriter Ron Sexsmith on his Hangover Terrace Tour - warm, melodic, and one of those shows that tends to convert everyone in the room who came along not knowing what to expect. Limelight

Pinch of Snuff Thursday, 12 March 19:00 Belfast Empire Music Hall

Trad stalwarts Pinch of Snuff at the Empire - the kind of Thursday night that earns its weekend. Belfast Empire

Volume Control Presents: Teen Spirit Grunge Night Friday, 13 March 19:30 Oh Yeah Music Centre

A grunge night headlined by Pitfall with support from El Toro and Mosaic - loud, distorted, and a very good use of a Friday. Oh Yeah

Lavery's Live: Ronan McSorley Friday, 13 March Lavery's

Ronan McSorley plays Lavery's - free entry, good craic. Lavery's

Lavery's DJs: Chris Jones & Paddy Towe Friday, 13 March Lavery's

DJ night at Lavery's with Chris Jones and Paddy Towe on the decks. Lavery's

Ye Vagabonds: Irish Folk Performance Saturday, 14 March 11:00 The MAC

The Galway brothers Brían and Diarmuid Mac Gloinn performing their blend of traditional melodies, contemporary storytelling and close harmonies at The MAC - part of the St Patrick's Music Festival programme. One of the finest folk acts in Ireland right now. The MAC

ABBA Sensations - Mother's Day Saturday, 14 March 15:00 The Errigle Inn, Ormeau Road

An ABBA tribute afternoon at the Errigle for Mother's Day - Dancing Queen, Waterloo, the full singalong. A crowd-pleaser by design, and none the worse for it. The Errigle

Mack Fleetwood Saturday, 14 March 19:30 Belfast Empire Music Hall

Fleetwood Mac tribute at the Empire - the full Rumours-era experience with a band that knows exactly what they're doing. Belfast Empire

Dom Martin Saturday, 14 March 19:30 Oh Yeah Music Centre

Multi-award-winning Belfast singer-songwriter Dom Martin plays an intimate acoustic show at Oh Yeah - if you've not caught him live yet, this is an easy one to fix. Oh Yeah

Brian Finnegan's Hunger of the Skin featuring Heidi Talbot Sunday, 15 March 19:30 Belfast Empire Music Hall

An emotionally charged project from flute master Brian Finnegan, featuring the wonderful Heidi Talbot - chamber trad at its most carefully constructed. Belfast Empire

Belfast St Patrick's Music Festival: Sets Céilí Concert Sunday, 15 March 15:00 Belfast Empire Music Hall

The Sets Céilí Concert is one of the best things the St Patrick's Music Festival does - proper céilí sets in the Empire, with everything that implies. Belfast Empire

Keo Sunday, 15 March 19:00 Oh Yeah Music Centre

Finn and Conor Keogh's band Keo - a fixture on the Irish live circuit and one of those acts that rewards catching in a small room before they inevitably outgrow it. Oh Yeah

Pure Blarney Monday, 16 March 20:00 The Black Box

Paddy's Eve at the Black Box with Pure Blarney - traditional music for the night that's in it. Black Box

UFO x BABBA - Paddy's Eve Monday, 16 March 22:00 Limelight 1

A Paddy's Eve club night at Limelight - ABBA and UFO colliding for what will presumably be a very specific kind of evening. Limelight

Michael McGoldrick Trio & Music Generation Cavan Monaghan Monday, 16 March 20:00 Ulster Hall

Traditional Irish folk from Michael McGoldrick and his trio, joined by Music Generation Cavan Monaghan's young musicians for an evening that sits somewhere between heritage and the future. Ulster Hall

Belfast TradFest: Trad Picnic Monday, 16 March (also Sun 15 March at Oh Yeah) 11:00 Oh Yeah Music Centre

Bring the family for a joyful Trad Picnic at Oh Yeah - music, sessions and activities for all ages as Belfast TradFest takes over the weekend. Oh Yeah

Belfast TradFest: Album Launch Concert - From The Aa Monday, 16 March 18:00 Oh Yeah Music Centre

A striking new body of music for two accordions, born from a late-night conversation - the TradFest album launch at Oh Yeah is the kind of event that will be talked about long after. Oh Yeah

St Patrick's Day Sesiún Tuesday, 17 March 14:00 Oh Yeah Music Centre

A St Patrick's Day sesiún at Oh Yeah from the afternoon - free, joyful, and exactly right. Oh Yeah

Shamrock Showband Tuesday, 17 March 12:00 The Black Box / Green Room

The Shamrock Showband play the Black Box on Paddy's Day - free entry and the full showband experience. Black Box

The Rapparees: St Patrick's Concert Sunday, 15 March 19:45 Theatre at The Mill, Newtownabbey

Heading out of the city centre - The Rapparees headline an evening concert at Theatre at The Mill in Newtownabbey as part of the Antrim and Newtownabbey St Patrick's programme. Theatre at The Mill

Vitamin String Quartet: The Music of Billie Eilish, Bridgerton & More Wednesday, 18 March 19:00 Limelight 1

The Vitamin String Quartet bring their acclaimed pop-classical crossover to Limelight - a genuinely different evening from everything else this week. Limelight

Black Box Open Mic Wednesday, 18 March 20:00 Green Room, Black Box

Open mic night at the Black Box's Green Room - always a mix of the brilliant, the brave and the baffling. Black Box

Belfast TradFest 13-17 March Venues across Belfast

Five days of traditional music, dance and culture across the city - connecting the St Patrick's Music Festival programme with TradFest's own events at Oh Yeah, Empire, Mandela Hall and more. Instagram

Re-presenting Representations of Representation: Revisited Monday, 9 March to Thursday, 19 March 10:00 daily Belfast Exposed Photography

A free photography exhibition at Belfast Exposed running the full week - worth dropping in for. More info

WHEN THE LIGHT RETURNS - Group Exhibition Tuesday, 10 March 18:30 (opening) The Lobby by Heaps Estrin

Opening night for a group show featuring Kara McIntosh, Johanna Reynolds, Marianne Sung and Joyce Yiu, exploring light, perception and emotional resonance. Instagram

The Offload Tuesday, 10 March 20:00 The MAC

A performance blending storytelling and live music at The MAC - details on the MAC's website. The MAC

WFTV Festival: Shorts and Networking Wednesday, 11 March 18:30 The Avenue Cinema

Women in Film and Television screenings, panels and networking at The Avenue Cinema - a strong programme for anyone working in or interested in the screen industries. WFTV

Safe & Sound: Crow (360° VR Film Screening & Discussion) Wednesday, 11 March 18:30 The Black Box

A 360-degree VR film screening followed by discussion at the Black Box - an unusual format that's worth experiencing. Black Box

Alasdair Beckett-King: King of Crumbs Thursday, 12 March 19:00 Limelight 2

Comedy and storytelling from Alasdair Beckett-King - a genuinely distinctive voice doing something different from the standard stand-up format. Limelight

Exhibition Opening: An Ealaín sa Dúlra by Farhad O'Neill Thursday, 12 March 19:00 Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich

Opening night of Farhad O'Neill's exhibition at the Cultúrlann - a bilingual arts centre that consistently programmes with real ambition. Visit Belfast

Exhibition Opening: In Ainm an Athar by Maryann Curran Thursday, 12 March 19:00 Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich

A second opening night at the Cultúrlann - Maryann Curran's exhibition launching alongside Farhad O'Neill's. Visit Belfast

Peter Flanagan: Fresh Prince of Kildare Friday, 13 March 19:30 The Black Box

Stand-up from Peter Flanagan - the Fresh Prince of Kildare title alone earns a look. Black Box

The Incredibly Strange Creatures Who Stopped Living and Became Mixed-Up Zombies Friday, 13 March 17:00 The Green Room, Black Box

One of the most magnificently titled bad movies ever made, screened at the Black Box's Green Room. Free entry, deeply strange, highly recommended. Black Box

Mural Painting Session at The Duncairn Friday, 13 March 12:00 The Duncairn

Volunteers needed for the first session of a new community mural at the Duncairn - bring old clothes. The Duncairn

Bingo Loco: Juke Box Jam Friday, 13 March 18:00 Limelight

Bingo Loco's Juke Box Jam at Limelight - the chaotic, musical, decidedly adult take on bingo that the city can't seem to get enough of. Limelight

Randy Feltface Friday, 13 March 20:00 Ulster Hall

An Australian puppet comedian who has been selling out venues worldwide - the conceit sounds bizarre until you watch five minutes of it and suddenly you're a convert. Ulster Hall

Hillsborough Castle: Benjamin Franklin Exhibition From Sunday, 15 March Hillsborough Castle and Gardens

A new permanent exhibition at Hillsborough Castle exploring Benjamin Franklin's connection to Ireland - opens 15 March and runs until February 2027. Worth building a trip around. Hillsborough Castle

Best of 3 Saturday Comedy Saturday, 14 March 14:30 The Green Room, Black Box

An afternoon comedy showcase at the Black Box's Green Room - three acts, one afternoon, very reasonable. Black Box

Geoff Norcott: Basic Bloke 2 Saturday, 14 March 19:00 Limelight 2

Geoff Norcott's follow-up tour at Limelight - comedy that tends to spark a good post-show conversation. Limelight

International Women's Day Events at Ormeau Baths Wednesday, 11 March 10:00 Ormeau Baths

Free talks, workshops and stalls at Ormeau Baths for International Women's Day - family-friendly and free entry. Eventbrite

The Bodhrán Challenge - Intermediate Level Workshop Saturday, 14 March 10:00 Áras Uí Chonghaile James Connolly Visitor Centre

An intermediate bodhrán workshop at the Connolly Visitor Centre as part of the St Patrick's Music Festival programme - if you've got the basics and want to go further, this is the one. Eventbrite

Heated Rivalry Club Night Thursday, 12 March (Oh Yeah) and Friday, 13 March (Limelight 2) Various times

The Heated Rivalry club night - inspired by the viral TV show and book, built around tension and chemistry. Two nights running, at Oh Yeah and Limelight 2. Oh Yeah

Wingstop Belfast Opening Monday, 9 March 11:00 Boucher Crescent

Northern Ireland's first Wingstop opens on Boucher Crescent - the first 100 guests get eight free wings. Whether you make the opening or join the inevitable queue later this week, this is a new option in the city that a lot of people have been waiting for. Instagram

Whiskey Business - St Patrick's Day Special Tuesday, 17 March 22:00 Voodoo Belfast

A themed whiskey tasting event at Voodoo Belfast on Paddy's night - a good way to bookend the day. Eventbrite

HJEM Coffee Sharing Sunday, 15 March 13:00 HJEM Belfast

Community coffee-sharing at HJEM Belfast - a lovely, low-key Sunday afternoon option that's easy to combine with something else in the area. Eventbrite

Guinness Blues Café: The Whisky Flowers Saturday, 14 March The Deer's Head

The Deer's Head runs its Guinness Blues Café series with The Whisky Flowers on Saturday afternoon - good blues, good stout, a very specific kind of Belfast Saturday. The Deer's Head

St Patrick's Festival Village Tuesday, 17 March 13:00 Cathedral Gardens and St Anne's Square Free

The free outdoor Festival Village at Cathedral Gardens and St Anne's Square on St Patrick's Day - music, dancing, circus acts, face painting, arts and crafts and sensory play. Free entry, all ages, and the kind of afternoon that exhausts children in the best possible way. Visit Belfast

Belfast TradFest: Trad Picnic Sunday, 15 March and Monday, 16 March 11:00 Oh Yeah Music Centre

A family Trad Picnic at Oh Yeah Music Centre - live trad music in a relaxed setting, with activities for kids. Bring a picnic blanket and settle in. Oh Yeah

Leprechaun Treasure Trail at Montalto Estate Saturday, 14 March 09:30 Montalto Estate, Ballynahinch

St Patrick's themed trail with activity packs, maps, clues and goodies - see Outdoor Activities above for full details. Visit Belfast

SPAR Craic 10K Tuesday, 17 March St Patrick's Day

The SPAR Craic 10K runs through Belfast's streets on St Patrick's Day - 6,000 runners and counting, before the Festival Village kicks off at Cathedral Gardens at 13:00. Whether you're running or cheering, it's one of the better ways to start the day. More info

Belfast Street Art Walking Tour Sunday, 15 March 12:00 Starting outside The Duke of York

A guided tour of Belfast's street art scene starting from The Duke of York - the murals on both sides of the city tell more about its history than most museum exhibits. Black Box

Belfast Punk Music Walking Tour Saturday, 14 March 14:00 Starting at Go Petrol

A walking tour of Belfast's punk history - the Undertones, Stiff Little Fingers, Good Vibrations records, all of it. With a passionate guide who clearly loves this story. Oh Yeah

Leprechaun Treasure Trail at Montalto Estate Saturday, 14 March 09:30 Montalto Estate, Ballynahinch

A St Patrick's themed treasure trail at Montalto Estate with activity packs, maps, clues and special goodies - genuinely good family fun out of the city. Visit Belfast

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