Yahoo News Things to do across Belfast this May Bank Holiday weekend, May 3-6
While looking forward to the weekend is something that rolls around every week, a Bank Holiday weekend makes it that more exciting.
With the temperature finally set to rise this weekend, you may be wondering how you should spend a three-day weekend in the city.
May in Belfast is kicking off on a good foot as there are a number of fantastic events and festivals running across the city this weekend.
Read more: Times, road closures route map and more for the Belfast City Marathon
From street art events to fantastic plays to circus acts to the marathon, the city is going to be jam packed with things to get up to - almost too much to choose from!
Here's what is happening in Belfast this weekend, May 3-5:
Project Children - Lyric Theatre
May 3-5
Patrick and Denis Mulcahy, County Cork natives and police officers in the NYPD, watch news footage of the violence in the north of Ireland... and Project Children is born.
Over the next 40 years, 23,000 Catholic and Protestant children would travel from Northern Ireland to America during the Summer months, as respite from the conflict.
Belfast playwright, Fionnuala Kennedy, has documented this extraordinary intervention through interviews with participants, host families and the passionate volunteers involved with Project Children, the people who gave their time, so that our young people might have the opportunity to see another world outside of the conflict, creating a better future for us all.
Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival - Belfast City Centre
May 3-6
An 11 day festival of the best local, national and international arts held in the historic Cathedral Quarter of the city.
The biggest names in Music, Comedy, Theatre, Literature, Film and Visual Art will be presenting shows as part of the 24th Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival, Belfast from May 2-12, 2024.
I've Always Liked the Name Marcus - The MAC
May 3-5
Meet Marcus, raised in Northern Ireland with mixed-race heritage.
Marcus has always gone along with society's stereotypes to fit in - from posing as a rap superstar to flexing his muscles as a gym bro, he's tried them all.
But when an audition makes him question his true self, Marcus faces the ultimate dilemma: Who is he, really?
Part coming-of-age story and part exploration of racial identity, audiences are invited to follow Marcus on his funny and provocative escapade as he embarks on a quest of self-discovery, peeling back the layers of societal expectations to uncover the truth buried deep within himself.
Jurassic Musical Adventure - SSE Arena
April 4
Direct from London's West End, the world's leading dinosaur show is returning to Belfast after a sell out success in 2022.
See life-sized, monstrous beasts up close in this award winning all star musical spectacular.
Exclusively featuring the world's only Mosasaur, the world's last flying Pterodactyl and more dinosaur species than any other show on earth!
Jurassic Live is the UK's most interactive theatre show where audiences become part of the dinosaur adventure.
Romesh Ranganathan - Grand Opera House
May 4
After a sell-out tour in 2022, Romesh is back with a brand-new show examining the human condition…
Are people inherently good? Is charity always a positive thing? Is hustling the key to success? Or is all this a load of rubbish we’ve made up to keep people working hard for no reason. Join Romesh as he examines all of these issues and more while providing no real answers.
Best known for The Misadventures of Romesh Ranganathan, The Ranganation, Rob & Romesh Vs, A League Of Their Own, Avoidance, Romantic Getaway, host of Weakest Link and his own BBC Sounds and Radio 2 show For The Love Of Hip Hop.
Festival of Fools - Belfast City Centre
May 4-6
Ireland’s largest free street performance festival returns to Belfast city centre from May 04th - 09th 2024.
This year’s exciting free daytime programme offers three days of jam-packed, all-inclusive daytime entertainment for the whole family including circus, parkour, dance, archery and visual arts.
Festival of Fools will inspire, entertain and engage, taking place at various locations across Belfast City, and with all daytime shows free to attend, this is a festival for everyone to enjoy.
Clubland Arena Tour 2024 - SSE Arena
May 5
Following the massive success of last year’s tour – we are proud to announce that Clubland will be returning to Belfast.
Grab your chance to see the biggest artists performing their biggest tunes in a spectacular 3-hour action-packed show.
Re-live the classic tunes in a party atmosphere and enjoy the Clubland experience in a show which will bring all those amazing times back.
Get back to the times when dance music produced the best tunes, incredible energy and an amazing feel-good factor– with floorfillers that go back as far as the 90’s mixed in with current hits.
Moy Park Belfast City Marathon
May 5
It isn't May Day weekend in Belfast without the annual Belfast City Marathon.
Sponsored by Moy Park for 2024, the event will see runners, walkers and joggers race across every corner of the city.
Be aware if you plan to head into Belfast on Sunday to get involved in the marathon atmosphere or to head to any of the other events across the city, a number of road closures and traffic delays are expected.
Find out all you need to know about the Belfast City Marathon here
Hit the North Block Party - Kent Street
May 5
Some of the world's most celebrated street artists are set to make a splash in Belfast as part of Hit the North.
Organised by Seedhead Arts and supported by Hennessy, the ‘Hit The North’ (HTN) street art festival has been transforming public spaces across Belfast with contemporary murals for over a decade.
This year’s festival has a strong international feel and will welcome over 60 renowned artists from South America, Asia, Middle East, North America, Africa, Australia, Europe and the UK, as well as supporting well-established and aspiring artists from Northern Ireland.
The festival, running from 2nd – 5th May, includes street art workshops, an artist exhibition and sketching sessions, before a ‘block party’ on Sunday 5th May where artists will be live painting on Kent Street.
Women on the Verge of HRT - Grand Opera House
May 6
GBL Productions present a Northern Ireland comedy classic, Women On The Verge of HRT.
Women on the Verge of HRT is the story of two middle-aged Belfast women, Vera and Anna who head off to Donegal on a weekend away for the annual concert by their super-star idol, Daniel O’Donnell. They get more than they bargained for.
Feisty, racy, painful and absolutely hilarious in all the right places, Women On The Verge of HRT sees terrific performances from some of Northern Ireland’s most popular actors.
May Day at Ulster Folk Museum - Cultra
May 6
May Day, also known as 'Bealtaine', is one of the most important days in the Celtic calendar and marks the returning of light. This day is full of traditions, superstitions and tales of mischievous fairies!
Come along to May Day at the Ulster Folk Museum on Monday 6th May. Visit our exhibition houses adorned with yellow flowers to fend off the fairies, tie a ribbon on the fairy tree for luck and listen to folklore tales.
Watch craft demonstrations by our talented makers, listen to traditional music and get hands-on with Bealtaine activities that the entire family can enjoy.
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