TWENTY EXCITING THINGS TO DO IN NI THIS OCTOBER….

1. Belfast International Arts Festival, Belfast, 14 October – 8 November. Experience  world-class theatre, dance, music, visual arts, literature and much more in Belfast this autumn. Northern Ireland’s largest celebration of international arts and culture welcomes artists from 19 countries alongside the very best of local talent, with an exciting mix of theatre, dance, music, visual arts, literature and a new immersive arts strand.
2. Faith Healer at the Lyric Theatre, Belfast, check website for performance dates. As part of the Lyric Theatre’s 75th year, Brian Friel’s Faith Healer returns to Belfast this October in a major production, starring Conleth Hill.
3. A Giant Taste of the Causeway Coast & Glens, various locations across Northern Ireland, until 31 October. This month-long celebration highlights the people, places and produce that have helped shape Northern Ireland’s Causeway Coast & Glens as an unforgettable foodie destination. Throughout the month, visitors can enjoy a tantalising schedule of events, including supper clubs, tasting menus, food tours and artisanal markets.
4. Cinemagic International Film & Television Festival for Young People, Belfast, until 31 October. There’s an action-packed screening and events programme for 4-25 year olds, showcasing the best of world cinema, presenting talent lab and creativity corner masterclasses with creative industry professionals, fun-filled film events, and the annual ‘CineSeekers’ and ‘CineFocus’ film juries which offer participants a chance to become movie reviewers and choose the winning films of the festival.
5. Dome Shows at Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, Armagh, County Armagh, check website for open dates and times. Check out their main attraction, a 360-degree Digital Theatre, where immersive dome shows are presented on a wide range of topics. With programmes designed for toddlers, families, and adults, there’s something for every visitor.
6. Explore Galgorm Castle & Grounds with Glenburn Tours, Ballymena, County Antrim, until 28 October with public tours most Wednesdays. Step into the story of one of Northern Ireland’s most remarkable estates on a guided walking tour with George Chesney of Glenburn Tours. Explore ‘Galgorm Castle: 1603 – 2026 & Beyond’ as you experience over 400 years of history in just one hour, uncovering the fascinating past and dynamic present of Galgorm Castle and grounds.
7. Reconstructions: a Room for Mike Kelley at The MAC, Belfast, 6 – 18 October on select dates. Check out this series of collaborative works by artists Mary McIntyre & Robert Anderson, made in response to live performances by the late artist Mike Kelley (1954 -2012) produced during the late 1970’s and early 1990’s. McIntyre and Anderson present an empty stage, ready to come alive with myriad fictional histories, potential narratives and associations, made possible in the viewer’s imagination.
8. Midweek Magic Club at the Black Box, Belfast, 14 October. MWMC is a two-and-a-half-hour event which is all about the close up. Close up magic that happens right at your table. The event changes the dynamic of what it means to go to a show. It’s an event that allows you to see old friends or make new ones because the micro performances are spread out over the evening, allowing you to socialise and have a drink in-between.
9. The Rock Orchestra at The O2 Belfast, Belfast, 16 October. Prepare for a spellbinding 90-minute spectacle that infuses iconic rock & metal anthems with a hauntingly beautiful energy. In ethereal candlelit settings, this band of 14 classical musicians unleash effortlessly enchanting melodies alongside powerful walls of distortion.
10. Roe Valley Speciality Market, Limavady, County Londonderry, 17 October. If you love local fresh food, quirky handmade crafts, fine art, and speciality products, visit a Speciality Market day at Drumceatt Square, Limavady’s only communal public square. This lovely central outdoor space is next to the Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre in the centre of Limavady town.
11. The Sand Shed Supper Club with Ricky Robinson, Omagh, County Tyrone, 17 October. Step through the doors of The Sand Shed for a unique, pop-up, ticket-only dining experience deeply rooted in the Tyrone landscape, with complimentary sample pairings available to accompany each course. Tucked away in the grounds of McCallan Bonded, The Sand Shed is a space built on stories. Usually hidden from the everyday and steeped in the heritage of whiskey, it provides the perfect backdrop for a night of good food and good company.
12. Wild & Fired, Derry~Londonderry, 18 October and 24 October. Lo & Slo’s Wild & Fired BBQ School offers an immersive, interactive experience combining foraging, dining, and live fire workshops in a historic, private walled garden, showcasing Northern Irish culture through locally sourced food. On 18 October, check out the Garden Harvest BBQ Demo, while on 24 October, book your spot at Harvest Feast with Slemish Supper Club.
13. Earth Yoga – In The Heart Of The Marble Arch Cave, Florencecourt, County Fermanagh, 18 October. Join in a unique experience as you get in touch with your inner yogi in a beginner-friendly 60 minutes yoga session in the depths of the Marble Arch Caves. Relax body and mind as you connect to nature inside the cave with an inviting and inspiring class welcome to all levels.
14. Titanic Belfast Quiet Sessions, Belfast, 10,20,25 October (with more dates available). A quieter experience of history’s most iconic ship. Discover the Titanic Experience in a calm and sensory-friendly environment with the new Quiet Sessions. Created to support visitors who may prefer reduced noise, softer lighting and a more relaxed atmosphere, these dedicated times offer an inclusive way to explore the galleries at your own pace.
15. City of Derry International Choir Festival 2026, Derry~Londonderry, 22-25 October. Visitors can experience performances from world-renowned vocal ensembles alongside community, school and amateur choirs, with events taking place in some of the city’s most iconic venues. The festival programme includes gala concerts, international choir competitions, workshops, educational events and choral trails, creating opportunities for audiences of all ages to enjoy a diverse range of musical styles and traditions. 
16. Breathwork Classes for Adults NI at Ballyburren Outdoor Adventure, Ballynahinch, County Down, 23 October. Breathwork classes for adults are all about helping you unwind and feel your best. In each session, you’ll be guided through different breathing techniques designed to help you relax, let go of stress, and boost your overall well-being.
17. Eco Boat Tours of Strangford Lough, Killinchy, County Down, 24 October. Learn about Strangford Lough’s world renowned eco system, become a sustainable user of our coasts, and take in the stunning and peaceful scenery. Partnering with Sam, a marine biologist from Coastal Catchups, this is a new experience that focuses on the wildlife of Strangford Lough.
18. Coast and Country Food Tour, Coleraine, County Londonderry, 24 October. Spend a leisurely day exploring the Causeway Coast through its food, countryside, and local characters on this relaxed small-group experience designed to showcase the real Northern Ireland, beyond the usual tourist trail.
19. Ards Puppet Festival, Newtownards, County Down, 25-26 October. Ards Arts Centre will come alive with the magic of puppetry as world-class performers bring a host of colourful characters and captivating stories to the stage. This year’s seaside-themed festival is packed with pirates, puffins, beachy fun, underwater adventures, deep-sea shenanigans and plenty of family-friendly entertainment.
20. Wildlife Walk: Autumn at Ulster Folk Museum, Cultra, County Down, 27 October. Discover autumn species and how to identify them in this slow-paced walk around the grounds of the Ulster Folk Museum. This Wildlife Walk will leave you with new knowledge of your local wildlife, a guide to biological recording booklet, a kids wildlife spotters guide and a branded magnifying glass card to help you continue your journey in species spotting and biological recording.

For more information on what’s on, or to plan your next giant adventure in Northern Ireland, visit: discovernorthernireland.com

Subject to availabilities with select dates.