Franz Ferdinand, Sleaford Mods & Ye Vagabonds

There's a lot going on at the Duncairn arts centre this Wednesday and beyond, the Six Nations is giving Lavery's the excuse it needs, and the Titanic International Tattoo Convention brings something genuinely different to the city this weekend. It's a full one.

Here's what's in store this week:

⚫️ Franz Ferdinand, Sleaford Mods, Stereolab & a stacked Limelight and Mandela Hall week

⚫️ Sara Pascoe, David O'Doherty, Neil Delamere & the comedy circuit firing on all cylinders

⚫️ NI Science Festival, Titanic Tattoo Convention, trad sessions & arts workshops across the city

Let's dive in 👇

Franz Ferdinand + Home Counties Friday 20 February Limelight

Franz Ferdinand doing what Franz Ferdinand do - precise, danceable, brilliant - with Home Counties in support. If you've never seen them live, the Limelight is the perfect room for it. Get tickets

Franz Ferdinand Saturday 21 February The Telegraph Building, Belfast

A second Franz Ferdinand night, this time at The Telegraph Building - two chances to catch one of the great Scottish rock bands on what's clearly a big Belfast week for them. Get tickets

Sleaford Mods Thursday 19 February Limelight

Jason Williamson and Andrew Fearn - the most vitriolic, funny, and genuinely working-class act in British music right now. TheLimelight will be the right kind of sweaty. Get tickets

Imelda May Tuesday 17 February, 20:00 Ulster Hall

Imelda May brings her Raised on Songs & Stories show to Ulster Hall — an intimate evening of music, poetry, and storytelling from one of Ireland's most distinctive voices. Get tickets

Skinty Live at Lavery's Tuesday 17 February Lavery's, Belfast More info

The Paper Kites + Bess Attwell Tuesday 17 February Limelight

The Australian indie folk duo bring their gentle, beautifully melodic sound to Belfast, with Bess Attwell in support — a lovely option for a Tuesday. Get tickets

UFO Wednesday 18 February and Tuesday 24 February @ Limelight

British classic rock legends UFO - Doctor Doctor, Rock Bottom, the works - doing what they do after fifty-odd years of doing it. A proper rock night. Get tickets

Then Jerico + Brian Young Wednesday 18 February Limelight Get tickets

Cam + Niamh McCrystal Wednesday 18 February Limelight Get tickets

Drake White Wednesday 18 February The Belfast Empire Get tickets

BABBA — Thursday Night at Limelight Thursdays (19 Feb & 26 Feb) Limelight

ABBA's greatest hits, every Thursday — a dependable and joyful weekly fixture for anyone who needs Dancing Queen in their life. More info

Ye Vagabonds Thursday 19 February Mandela Hall

The brothers Brían and Diarmuid Mac Gloinn are among the finest traditional folk performers in Ireland - delicate harmonies, devastating songs, and an intimate style that makes a hall feel like a kitchen. One of the best things on this week anywhere on this island. Get tickets

Sounds of NI Thursday 19 February The Belfast Empire

A showcase of the best local talent — always a good reminder of how much is happening in the Belfast music scene. Get tickets

Conor Scott | Saturday Night Live Saturday 21 February The Errigle Inn. More info

GET YOUR BRAT OUT! The Moment — Release Party Friday 20 February The Deer's Head More info

Live at Lavery's: Donal Scullion Friday 20 February Lavery's More info

Jordan Davis Friday 20 February SSE Arena Get tickets

Home/Lands Friday 20 February Scott's Jazz Club

A musical exploration of home and belonging, led by Alicia Gardener-Trejo blending jazz and folk — an intimate and thoughtful Friday night option. More info

M2M Heat 3 Friday 20 February Voodoo Belfast, Fountain Street More info

Consolers Friday 20 February The Belfast Empire, 42 Botanic Avenue Get tickets

BELFAST BLUES CAFE — The Dead Handsomes Saturday 21 February The Deer's Head

An afternoon of proper blues at The Deer's Head — The Dead Handsomes delivering the goods at the Belfast Blues Cafe. More info

Live at Lavery's: Claire McCartney & Charlie Hanlon Saturday 21 February Lavery's More info

These Charming Men Saturday 21 February The Belfast Empire

The Smiths tribute act — Morrissey quiff optional but encouraged. Get tickets

Belfast Music Walking Tour Saturday 21 February Starting at Ulster Hall

A walking tour of Belfast's rich music history across genres from hip hop to classical — a great way to spend a Saturday morning and arrive at your gig having context you didn't have before. More info

Jamie McIntyre — Extra Show Thursday 19 February & Saturday 21 February Oh Yeah Music Centre

The Galway songwriter performing his viral hit Over Galway Town and more — two chances to catch an artist who's clearly on the way up. Get tickets

A Kaleidoscope of Sound — Acoustic Evening with Marco & Brakeloose Sunday 22 February Oh Yeah Music Centre

A special acoustic set from Marco Pastorino and Belfast favourite Brakeloose — intimate, warm, and the kind of Sunday evening that justifies the week. Get tickets

Open Trad: Belfast Session Guide Live at Lavery's Sunday 22 February Lavery's

Traditional music session at Lavery's — all welcome, all levels. More info

An Intimate Evening with Huey Morgan Sunday 22 February Limelight 2, Belfast

The Fun Lovin' Criminals frontman in an intimate setting — stories, music, and the warm, easy charisma of someone who's genuinely lived a life worth talking about. Get tickets

Stereolab Tuesday 24 February Mandela Hall

Part of Stereolab's Elsewhere tour — if you're the kind of person who needs a Stereolab show in your calendar (and you do), this is your Belfast date. Get tickets

Scouting for Girls + The Dunwells & The Souls Wednesday 25 February Limelight Get tickets

Gifted: Roe Thursday 26 February The Belfast Empire Get tickets

Esprit D'Air Thursday 26 February Limelight, Belfast Get tickets

Scarred Lip & Day Sleeper Thursday 26 February Oh Yeah Music Centre Get tickets

BATS WOMB (Goth Club Night) Friday 27 February The Deer's Head More info

BELFAST ROCK 'N' ROLL SOCIETY ALL-DAYER Saturday 28 February The Deer's Head

A full day of rock 'n' roll music with the Belfast Rock 'n' Roll Society — the kind of all-dayer where you arrive at noon and leave at closing time. More info

The Queen Magic Experience Saturday 28 February The Errigle Inn Get tickets

Roy Chubby Brown Saturday 21 February, 20:00 Ulster Hall, Get tickets

Raise The Steaks Club Every Wednesday Shed Bistro, Belfast 60 pounds for two - tomahawk steak share, sides, and a bottle of wine. The midweek date night sorted in one line. More info

Bottomless Brunch Granny Annie's Kitchen

Ninety minutes of bottomless drinks, a main course, and crowd karaoke — a properly chaotic and enjoyable Belfast brunch. More info

Lego Build and Beers Wednesday 18 February Mandela Hall

Exactly what it says - Lego building for adults, with beers. A genuinely fun Wednesday evening for anyone who never entirely grew up. Get tickets

Maker Night at the Hackerspace Tuesday 17 February, 18:00 Farset Labs

Open workshop night with laser cutters, 3D printers, and tools — bring your own device for design software. A great community space for people who like making things. More info

NISF: Discover the Universe in 3D Saturday 21 February The Black Box

An immersive 3D journey through the universe — a great half-term option for curious kids and adults who haven't lost the ability to be genuinely amazed. More info

NI Science Festival 2026 — General Programme Saturday 22 February and throughout the week Various locations across Belfast

Workshops, tours, talks, and activities for all ages running across the city as part of the Northern Ireland Science Festival — check the full programme for everything happening near you. More info

Dinosaurs! With Ben Garrod Sunday 22 February Ulster Museum

The BBC presenter and palaeontologist Ben Garrod brings his live show about deadly dinosaurs to the Ulster Museum - a strong half-term option for kids who are going through the dinosaur phase (or adults who never left it). Get tickets

Ulster Orchestra: Rhapsody & Romance Friday 20 February Ulster Hall

A beautiful evening with the Ulster Orchestra — Rhapsody and Romance as a live classical concert is exactly as good as it sounds. Get tickets

Chinese New Year Celebration Sunday 22 February, 19:00 Ulster Hall

Performances, cultural displays and a full celebration of the Lunar New Year at Ulster Hall — a lovely community event in a great room. Get tickets

NISF: FameLab — NI Final Tuesday 17 February The Black Box

The Northern Ireland final of FameLab — the world's biggest science communication competition, where scientists have three minutes to explain complex ideas to a general audience. Consistently more gripping than it has any right to be. More info

RAY O'LEARY: LAUGHTER? I HARDLY KNOW HER! Tuesday 17 February Limelight 2 Get tickets

Black Box Open Mic Wednesday 18 February Green Room, The Black Box

Open mic at the Black Box - performers of all kinds welcome. More info

NISF: Tenx9 — Directions Wednesday 18 February The Black Box

True stories told live by local storytellers, this month themed around Directions — one of the best live storytelling formats in Belfast. More info

Beginner Sewing with Bernie Carlin Wednesday 18 February The Duncairn

A friendly beginner sewing class — a good hands-on skill to pick up and Bernie Carlin is a well-regarded teacher. Book here

Cosmic Jam Thursday 19 February Accidental Theatre

An open mic with a full backline of instruments - for experimental, diverse, or just-getting-started musicians who want a room to try things out. More info

Bouncers Thursday 19 – Saturday 21 February Belvoir Studio Theatre

A lively and humorous play exploring the nightlife of young people through the eyes of four bouncers — one actor, four characters, and a lot of sharp observation. Three chances to catch it. Get tickets

NISF: This Way Up — When Maps Go Wrong Friday 20 February The Black Box

A talk exploring the quirks, errors, and outright disasters of maps throughout history — the kind of NI Science Festival event that anyone can enjoy. More info

NISF: F*ckup Nights Belfast Friday 20 February Oh Yeah Music Centre

An event where sharing failures is the point — honest, funny, and oddly reassuring. More info

Best of 3 Saturday Comedy Saturday 21 February The Black Box

A strong Saturday afternoon comedy lineup at the Black Box — the kind of mid-afternoon bill that perfectly sets you up for an evening gig. Get tickets

Titanic International Tattoo Convention 2026 — 10th Anniversary Friday 20 – Sunday 22 February Titanic Museum

The 10th anniversary of the Titanic International Tattoo Convention - artists from around the world, live tattooing, and an extraordinary spectacle for anyone interested in the art form. Worth going even if you're not getting inked. More info

Neil Delamere — Share a Suite Saturday 21 February SSE Arena Get tickets

David O'Doherty Saturday 21 February Mandela Hall

The BAFTA-winning comedian with his tiny keyboard and enormous warmth — one of the most consistently brilliant live acts in Irish comedy. His special guest is Emma Tricca. Get tickets

The Incredibly Strange Creatures Who Stopped Living and Became Mixed-Up Zombies Friday 20 February The Green Room, The Black Box

A cult classic film screening at the Black Box - the title does most of the work here, and it delivers exactly what you'd hope. More info

JOE KENT WALTERS IS FRANKIE MONROE: DEAD!!! (GOOD FUN TIME) Saturday 21 February Limelight, Belfast Get tickets

Belfast Improv Sunday 22 February Lavery's

Spontaneous comedy with the Belfast Improv group - always unpredictable, occasionally brilliant. More info

Never Seen It Film Club Sunday 22 February Accidental Theatre

A film club for people who've never seen the classics - and for those who want to see them again in good company. More info

Sunday Comedy Club Sunday 22 February The Deer's Head More info

Arts Across Belfast Bus Tour Sunday 22 February Starting at Cathedral Quarter

A half-day bus tour exploring Belfast's arts and culture scene with a friendly guide - a great way to discover venues and spaces you might not have found on your own. More info

The Empire Laughs Back Comedy Club Tuesday 17 & Tuesday 24 February The Belfast Empire

The weekly comedy club at the Empire — reliable, well-curated, and the right price for a midweek night. Get tickets

Quiet Sessions at Titanic Belfast Monday 23 February

The Titanic experience with lowered sound levels and softened lighting — designed for visitors who benefit from a calmer environment. A thoughtful and well-run initiative. More info

Melanie Bracewell — A Little Treat Monday 23 February Limelight 2, Belfast Get tickets

The Empire Laughs Back (24 Feb) Tuesday 24 February The Belfast Empire, Belfast Get tickets

I Was the Voice of Gerry Adams Wednesday 25 February Waterfront Studio

A theatrical exploration of the Gerry Adams voice ban era - one of the stranger chapters in Northern Ireland's recent political history, and an idea that makes for compelling theatre. Get tickets

A Tribute to the Carpenters Wednesday 25 February Ulster Hall

Close to You, We've Only Just Begun, Rainy Days and Mondays - the Carpenters' catalogue, done with care at the Ulster Hall. Get tickets

Portraiture with Leah Davis Wednesday 25 February The Duncairn Book here

Improvers Crochet with Aroona Murphy Wednesday 25 February The Duncairn Book here

Beginner/Improvers Sewing with Bernie Carlin Wednesday 25 February The Duncairn Book here

Introduction to Oil Painting with Hannah O'Hagan Wednesday 25 February The Duncairn Book here

Accidental Open Mic Night Thursday 26 February Accidental Theatre

Comics trying new material for the first time, acts making their debut — the raw and genuinely unpredictable version of stand-up comedy. Worth it. More info

Lavery's Comedy Club Wednesday 18 & Thursday 19 February Lavery's

Two nights of comedy at Lavery's - a dependable midweek option across both evenings. More info

Sara Pascoe Thursday 19 February, 20:00 Ulster Hall

Sara Pascoe's stand-up is smart, feminist, and very funny — exactly what a Thursday evening at the Ulster Hall should be. Get tickets

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