Rosie O'Donnell, Imagine Festival & Paddy's Day

This week in Belfast, the city is running on full capacity.

St Patrick's Day takes over the Cathedral Quarter and city centre on Tuesday, the Imagine! Festival starts mid-week and keeps going right through to Thursday with an extraordinary programme of ideas events, and the week is bookended by live music at practically every venue in town.

Queens Film Theatre has a cracker of a programme, the Oh Yeah Centre is doing what it does, and the Deer's Head has something on every single night.

This one's stacked. Let's dive in 👇

Imagine! Festival — Belfast's Festival of Ideas and Politics Wednesday 18 to Thursday 26 March Various venues across Belfast

Belfast's annual festival of ideas and politics runs all week with a genuinely exceptional lineup. Highlights include Adam Kay in conversation with William Crawley (Limelight 1, Tue 24), Mhairi Black's Politics Isn't For Me (Mandela Hall, Wed 25), an evening with poet Len Pennie presenting her collection Poyums Annaw (Crescent Arts Centre, Mon 23), the conversation on organ donation reform behind Dáithí's Law with BBC's Jayne McCormack (Oh Yeah Centre, Tue 24), Joe Nawaz's one-man play Partitions (Deer's Head, Wed 25 & Thu 26), and a film showcase celebrating LGBTQIA+ stories (Black Box, Thu 26). A remarkable programme — individual event details below in relevant categories. Full festival programme

St Patrick's Day in Belfast Tuesday, 17 March City Centre, Cathedral Quarter, and venues across Belfast

Belfast's full St Patrick's Day programme: the parade through the city at noon, the Festival Village at Writer's Square, Belfast Cathedral Car Park, Saint Anne's Square and The MAC, the Féile an Phobail concert at The MAC with The Bow Brothers and the Aoife Scott Band, the SPAR Craic 10K at 9am from City Hall, and events across the Cathedral Quarter all day. One of Belfast's great days. Full programme

The Belfast Blitz Saturday, 21 March | 19:30 Waterfront Hall

A powerful theatrical performance reflecting on the events of the Belfast Blitz during World War II; when German bombing raids devastated the city in April and May 1941. Important, local history given the treatment it deserves on Waterfront's main stage. Get tickets

SPAR Craic 10K Tuesday, 17 March | 09:00 Starting at Belfast City Hall

The city's beloved St Patrick's Day 10K kicks off the festivities. 6,000+ runners through the streets before the parade. Details

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

A Paddy's Day trad session at Oh Yeah: lively, free-spirited, and a great afternoon option. Details

St Patrick's Day Emo Night Tuesday, 17 March | 22:00 The Deer's Head, Lower Garfield Street

A St Patrick's Day emo night at The Deer's Head. Combining two things nobody expected to work this well together. Details

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

A lively Paddy's Day afternoon session at the Black Box. Details

Bar Italia Thursday, 19 March | 19:30 The Belfast Empire Music Hall, Botanic Avenue

London post-punk trio Bar Italia at the Empire, showcasing their new album Some Like It Hot. If you caught the buzz around their recent work, this is a very good Belfast gig. Get tickets

Cosmic Jam Open Mic Thursday, 19 March | 19:00 Accidental Theatre

Open mic at Accidental Theatre with a full backline, welcoming diverse and experimental music and jamming. Belfast's most interesting open platform. Details

BABBA Every Thursday Night Thursday 19 & Thursday 26 March | 22:00 Limelight

The ABBA tribute night at Limelight runs every Thursday. Waterloo, Dancing Queen, and everything in between. You know if this is for you. Details

March of The Mods Friday, 20 March | 19:00 Oh Yeah Music Centre

A night celebrating mod culture and music at Oh Yeah. Details

John Devlin and The Revolvers plus Guests Friday, 20 March | 20:00 Accidental Theatre

An evening of original music from Belfast's finest acts at Accidental Theatre. BYO drinks. Details

Paradise Lost + CWFEN Friday, 20 March | 19:00 Limelight 2

Gothic metal legends Paradise Lost with support from CWFEN. Get tickets

Harry Styles Club Night Friday, 20 March | 21:00 The Belfast Empire Music Hall Details

Levels: Alternative Paddy's Day Friday, 20 March | 20:00 Mandela Hall

Live local music from Madrai, Novena, and Consolers for a belated alternative Paddy's Day at Mandela Hall. Details

Scott Flanigan Trio Plays The Beatles Friday, 20 March | 21:00 Scott's Jazz Club, Sandown Road

The Scott Flanigan Trio give the Beatles the jazz treatment: interpretations of their classics and lesser-known songs in one of Belfast's most intimate jazz venues. Details

UFO Wednesday 18 March & Tuesday 24 March | 22:00 Limelight

Veteran British hard rock band UFO play two Belfast dates. Wednesday and Tuesday the following week. Get tickets

As December Falls Saturday, 21 March | 19:30 The Belfast Empire Music Hall Get tickets

Rushified Presents: The Classic Albums Saturday, 21 March | 19:00 Oh Yeah Music Centre

A live celebration of two iconic Rush albums at Oh Yeah. Details

Púca's Brew Saturday, 21 March | 19:30 Accidental Theatre

A night of specially curated improvisation featuring Belfast's finest psychedelic musicians. The most unpredictable Saturday night option in the city. Details

Guinness Blues Café — The Pat McManus Band Saturday, 21 March | 14:00 The Deer's Head

An afternoon blues session with The Pat McManus Band at the Deer's Head Guinness Blues Café. Proper Saturday afternoon material. Details

Arms of Venus de Milo / Zac Mac Band / Black Dog Moon / Cormac Neeson / Phil McCarroll and Payola Saturday, 21 March | 19:30 The Deer's Head

A big multi-act bill at the Deer's Head on Saturday evening. Five acts including Cormac Neeson, formerly of The Answer. Details

The Jazz Room Sunday, 22 March | 17:00 The Belfast Empire Music Hall Details

This Flight Tonight: The Songs of Joni Mitchell Sunday, 22 March | 19:30 The Black Box

Kathryn Pepper and her band pay tribute to Joni Mitchell's vast catalogue at the Black Box. Details

The Feeling + Sandi Thom & McGrath Tuesday, 24 March | 19:00 Limelight 1

The Feeling — celebrating 20 years of 12 Stops and Home on this tour — with Sandi Thom in support at Limelight 1. Get tickets

The Scarlet Goodbye / OVERHAUL Wednesday, 18 March | 19:00 The Black Box

US alternative rock band The Scarlet Goodbye, featuring ex-Soul Asylum member Dan Murphy, play the Black Box with support from OVERHAUL. Details

Belfast Ukulele Jam Every Wednesday | from 19:00 The Deer's Head, Lower Garfield Street

The Belfast Ukulele Jam happens every Wednesday at the Deer's Head. All your favourite tunes on a sea of ukuleles. All welcome. Details

Reckless Raves X Barbed: THE TEMPLE 005 Saturday, 21 March | 15:00 The Temple

Carlisle Circus The first Temple show of 2026. Local legends, techno, and electronic music in one of Belfast's most distinctive spaces. Get tickets

Reckless Raves: Temple 005 Afterparty Saturday, 21 March | 23:00 Common Market Belfast, Dunbar Street

The official Temple afterparty continuing the night at Common Market. Details

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

Open mic at the Black Box Green Room. Details

Re-presenting Representations of Representation: Revisited Monday 16 to Saturday 21 March | 10:00 daily Belfast Exposed Photography

A photography exhibition exploring themes of representation. Running all week at Belfast Exposed. Details

Féile an Earraigh (Traditional Spring Festival) Monday 16 March onwards Various venues

Belfast Féile an Earraigh promotes Irish culture through events across the city as part of the St Patrick's season. Check the full programme for individual listings. Details

Normal Cinema Club: Dog Day Afternoon Wednesday, 18 March | 20:00 The Deer's Head

The Normal Cinema Club screens Sidney Lumet's Dog Day Afternoon. Al Pacino in one of cinema's great performances, in one of Belfast's great small venues. Details

Dancing At Lughnasa Friday, 20 March | 19:30 (and running) Belvoir Studio Theatre, Belvoir Drive

Brian Friel's poignant drama about five sisters in 1930s Donegal, at the Belvoir Players' studio. One of the great Irish plays, in a properly intimate setting. Get tickets

Rosie O'Donnell: Common Knowledge Thursday, 19 March | 19:30 Ulster Hall

Rosie O'Donnell's first stand-up show in nearly a decade arrives at Ulster Hall. A significant return. She's been through a lot and has plenty to say about it. Get tickets

Belfast Music Walking Tour Saturday, 21 March | 13:00 Starting at Ulster Hall

An Oh Yeah-led walking tour exploring Belfast's rich music history; from Van Morrison to the scene that produced some of the world's most important music. A brilliant few hours. Book

Khodkar Company: Marathi Stand-up Sunday, 22 March | 18:30 Oh Yeah Music Centre

A clean Marathi-language stand-up comedy show, suitable for all ages. A genuinely unusual and delightful option for a Sunday evening. Details

Imagine Fest: You Killed God! — Sonita Alizadeh Monday, 23 March | 18:30 Oh Yeah Music Centre

Afghan rap star Sonita Alizadeh, whose own story is extraordinary, in a compelling discussion on women's rights and artistic resistance. One of the Imagine! Festival's most important events. Details

Poyums Annaw: An Evening with Len Pennie Monday, 23 March | 19:30 Crescent Arts Centre

Award-winning Scottish poet and activist Len Pennie introduces her Sunday Times-bestselling collection Poyums Annaw. Sharp, funny, moving, and deeply grounded in Scottish working-class experience. Get tickets

Scratch Special: Marx in Soho Thursday, 26 March | 19:00 Accidental Theatre

A bold reimagining of Marx's ideas, blending humour and politics, perfect for the Imagine! Festival week. Details

World Exclusive: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer & Teddy Sheringham Friday, 20 March | 19:30 Waterfront Hall

An evening of stories and conversation with two of Manchester United's most celebrated strikers from their iconic 1999 treble season. Get tickets

Ulster Orchestra: Of Rivers and Mountains Friday, 20 March | 20:00 Ulster Hall

The Ulster Orchestra in a new programme, a beautifully titled concert that promises orchestral music drawing on landscape and place. Get tickets

Magheramorne Literary Festival Saturday, 21 March Magheramorne, Co Antrim

The Magheramorne Literary Festival takes place out in Co Antrim on Saturday. Andrew Lownie, whose biography of Prince Andrew has attracted considerable attention, is among the speakers. Details

Imagine Spaces: Moving Ways Tuesday, 24 March | 13:45 The Black Box

A festival event exploring creative expression through movement, as part of Imagine! Festival. Details

A Father's Heart: The Story Behind Dáithí's Law Tuesday, 24 March | 18:45 - 19:00 Oh Yeah Music Centre

BBC journalist Jayne McCormack hosts a conversation about the campaign for organ donation reform in Northern Ireland. The story behind Dáithí MacGabhann, the boy whose parents changed the law. A powerful and important evening. Get tickets

An Audience with Adam Kay (Imagine! Belfast) Tuesday, 24 March | 20:00 Limelight 1

BAFTA-winning author, former NHS doctor, and passionate campaigner Adam Kay in conversation with William Crawley. An evening of medicine, politics, comedy, and the NHS. This is Going to Hurt fans: this is the one. Get tickets

Partitions — A One-Man Play by Joe Nawaz Wednesday 25 & Thursday 26 March | 19:10 - 20:00 The Deer's Head

Joe Nawaz's new one-man play collides the personal and political in what's described as hilariously good. Tunning two nights at the Deer's Head as part of Imagine! Festival. Get tickets

Mhairi Black: Politics Isn't For Me Wednesday, 25 March | 19:30 Mandela Hall

Former SNP MP Mhairi Black brings her fearless, sharp-witted political commentary to Belfast for the first time. Festival headline event that's likely to be electric. Get tickets

Tenx9 — Something New... with Imagine! Festival Wednesday, 25 March | 19:30 The Black Box

Tenx9's storytelling night gets the Imagine! Festival treatment. Nine people, nine true stories, nine minutes each. Always a brilliant evening. Details

Imagine Festival: Five Films for Freedom — LGBTQIA+ Film Showcase & Panel Thursday, 26 March | 15:00 The Black Box

A film showcase celebrating LGBTQIA+ stories followed by an expert panel, as part of Imagine! Festival closing events. Details

Bridget Christie — Comedy Fundraiser for Parkinson's UK Tuesday, 24 March | 19:30 Mandela Hall

BAFTA-nominated comedian Bridget Christie at Mandela Hall in aid of Parkinson's UK. Get tickets

Waste Busters the Eco-Musical Friday, 20 March | 19:00 Lyric Theatre's Naughton Studio

A high-energy, curriculum-linked musical about plastic pollution and recycling at the Lyric's Naughton Studio. Great for families and schools. Details

Ulster v Connacht — BKT United Rugby Championship Friday, 20 March | 19:45 Kingspan Stadium (Affidea Stadium)

Ulster take on Connacht at Kingspan in the URC. A big interprovincial derby with plenty of atmosphere. Get tickets

Belfast Giants v Glasgow Clan Saturday, 21 March | 19:00 The SSE Arena

The Belfast Giants face Glasgow Clan in an ice hockey fixture at the SSE Arena — one of Belfast's most reliably entertaining sporting nights. Get tickets

Waste Busters the Eco-Musical Friday, 20 March | 19:00 Lyric Theatre's Naughton Studio (Also in Arts & Culture.)

A colourful, high-energy musical about the environment aimed at primary school age. Curriculum-linked but genuinely entertaining. Details

Irish Dancing for Adults: 10th Anniversary Gala Dinner, Céilí and Concert Saturday, 21 March | 18:00 Europa Hotel, Great Victoria Street

Ten years of Irish Dancing for Adults celebrated with a gala dinner, céilí, and concert at the Europa. Details

Zootropolis 2 — in partnership with South Belfast Foodbank Sunday, 22 March | 15:00 Ulster Museum

Zootropolis 2 at the Ulster Museum. Free entry for anyone who brings a foodbank donation. Brilliant family option, great cause. Details

Relatively Ceramics: Spring Jug Workshop Friday, 20 March | 18:00 The Duncairn

A ceramics workshop at The Duncairn. Make your own spring jug in a relaxed, creative evening. Spaces are limited. Book

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