Featured Events in Belfast in May, 2025 (April Updated)

Bryan Adams Belfast is set to be an unforgettable evening at the SSE Arena in Belfast, United Kingdom, on May 21, 2025, starting at 18:30. Known for his iconic hits and electrifying performances, Bryan Adams will captivate the audience with a blend of classic rock anthems and soulful ballads. The SSE Arena, renowned for its state-of-the-art facilities and exceptional acoustics, provides the perfect backdrop for this highly anticipated event. Fans can expect a meticulously curated setlist featuring timeless favorites like "Summer of '69" and "Heaven," alongside newer tracks that showcase Adams' enduring talent. This concert promises to be a highlight of the Belfast music calendar, drawing attendees from near and far to experience the magic of Bryan Adams live in concert.

"A Case Of You" The Songs Of Joni Mitchell Performed by Suzanne Savage , and accompanied by Johnny Taylor Piano, Rod Patterson Double bass Aenghus Hackett Guitar. Thursday 22nd May 2025 Fitzroy Presbyterian Church University Street Belfast BT7 1HL Doors 6.45pm - Show Starts 7.30pm Price - £22.50 +bf www.jonimitchell.com ............................................... An intimate acoustic Retrospective of the music of Joni Mitchell. "The span of Joni Mitchell's music glows with tradition, innovation, and progression, from early Canadian folk ballads to collaborations with jazz greats, her songwriting remains always unique and of the highest literary calibre. Acclaimed singer songwriter Suzanne Savage, and accompanied by Johnny Taylor Piano, Rod Patterson Double bass Aenghus Hackett Guitar, presents 'A Case Of You' an intimate acoustic tribute to the music of Joni Mitchell... featuring songs such as 'A Case Of You, Both Sides Now, Coyote, Circle Song, The Dry Cleaner from Des Moines', and many more... with the voice, piano, acoustic guitar and double bass.. presenting Mitchell's music as it would have been performed in Joni's early performances. Joni Mitchell is one of the most influential artists of the modern age, rising to stardom in the late 1960's, Her music and songwriting is the jewel in the crown of the Woodstock generation. Bursting onto the scene with a sound entirely her own, Joni earned the respect of her musical peers and the love of her audiences Worldwide. Joni would go on to mine the depths of her emotive landscape and push the boundaries of songcraft and artistry for over five decades. Mitchell's albums and songs are widely recognised as masterpieces, standards that would become the soundtrack to the lives of countless fans throughout the world and continue to draw and inspire new generations of fans. Information Source: Music Capital | eventbrite

Show Details Stormont Hotel | Belfast Friday 23rd May 2025 Doors 7pm | Show Starts 8pm Show Duration (2hrs 30mins approx incl interval) _________________________________________________________ * * TICKETS ARE STRICTLY NON-REFUNDABLE ** Europe's no.1 Johnny Cash & June Carter tribute ' Cash Returns' are back and are set to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the box office hit film , Walk The Line’ that starred Joaquin Phoenix and Reece Witherspoon. Join JP Mac as the man in black and Karen Martin as June Carter along with this spectacular 9 piece show as they pay homage to the 2005 hit film based on the life and career of country music's biggest star and how he met the love of his life. The brand new show will include songs from the soundtrack of 'Walk The Line, that will have everyone singin 'n' stompin in the aisles , including, 'Ring Of Fire', 'Long legged Guitar Picking Man, 'Jackson', 'Cry Cry Cry', 'Cocaine Blues' - plus many more from the legendary couple's huge repertoire. Cash’s very own drummer WS ‘Fluke’ Holland has even expressed his adulation for JP Mac after sitting behind the Man In Black himself for 40 years by saying, “IF ANYONE HEARS JP MAC THEY WILL KNOW WHY HE IS AN AWARD WINNING JOHNNY CASH ACT – I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THIS GUY PLAY IN PERSON” This much revered act is the only live show that will give the full authentic Johnny Cash & June Carter experience. Information Source: JP MAC Promotions Ltd | eventbrite

Hello Charlie by Caoimhe FarrenDirected by Rhiann Jeffrey Victoria Wood Playwriting Prize for Comedy - Finalist The Women’s Prize for Playwriting - Shortlist Sisters Maeve and Kate have fled their past trauma in Derry and now live in London. Hedonistic Maeve binge-drinks to oblivion; brittle Kate sees history repeating itself. But Maeve dodges culpability for her drunken antics; how can she be at fault? The blame clearly lies with her beloved, inebriated alter-ego: Charlie. Hello Charlie is a black comedy about trauma, sisterhood and breaking the cycle of familial addiction. Front & Centre are proud to present a series of staged readings featuring plays that have been finalists, shortlisted, or longlisted for major UK and Ireland playwriting awards, but have yet to be programmed in Northern Ireland. Despite their accolades, these works, penned by talented women from the North, have remained under the radar. Plays are living, breathing documents that are written to be performed. For many women of the North, their brilliant, commended plays are sitting in drawers, languishing. Front & Centre is determined to change that! We’ve paired these remarkable writers with accomplished Northern Irish directors, offering audiences a first look at the next generation of female theatre makers from the North. This event has kindly been supported by Queen’s University and Belfast City Council. For other readings in the series: Stuff & Things & Junk & Belonging by Carley Magee The Wake by Anna Teresa McGrath Caoimhe Farren is an actress from Derry. She trained at the Academy of Live and Recorded Arts in London. Most recently, she played the title character in Tinderbox’s Yerma at The Lyric. She can currently be seen as DS Sorcha Conlon in Crá (TG4/BBC). Previous theatre work includes: This Sh*t Happens All The Time (Lyric, Belfast); Scenes from an Inquiry (The Playhouse, Derry); Chemistry (The Finborough, London). Previous television work includes: The Woman in the Wall; Hope Street; Willow; This Way Up; Derry Girls. Hello Charlie (Caoimhe’s debut play) was developed as part of The Lyric’s New Playwrights Programme. It was shortlisted for The Women’s Prize for Playwriting, a finalist for the inaugural Victoria Wood Playwriting Prize for Comedy and in the top 1% (from 4643 entries) of the BBC Writers Open Call. Information Source: Front & Centre Women's Playwriting Symposium | eventbrite

Front and Centre: Women of the North's Playwriting Symposium At a time of increasing challenges for the arts in Northern Ireland—where funding is shrinking, and a clear arts policy remains absent—female-identifying and non-binary playwrights, particularly those from working-class backgrounds, face even greater barriers. Despite the undeniable talent emerging from this region, including playwrights like Stacey Gregg and Lisa McGee, the lack of main stage productions for their work is striking. This symposium is a call to action. Focusing on playwriting as both craft and career, it will open up vital conversations, explore constructive strategies, and showcase fresh talent. Expect a dynamic mix of staged readings, works in progress, and critical discussions—bringing together emerging playwrights, academics, and industry professionals. Join us for an inspiring day of creative exploration, thought-provoking panels, and open conversation. Whether you're a writer, artist, academic, or theatre enthusiast, your voice is welcome. This event is led by playwright and theatre-maker Karis Kelly in collaboration with the Drama Department at QUB. Register here for the programme of panels and talks. The overview of the schedule is as follows: Friday 23rd May, 1pm-6pm Sarturday 24th May, 11am-2.15pm Sunday 25th May, 11am-5.30pm Refreshments included throughout each day. Please note that tickets for panels and talks are free; you will need to book separately to attend the staged readings and scratch performances for which there is a small charge. 📩 For more information, contact frontandcentreni@gmail.com We are grateful to Belfast City Council and to Queen’s University Belfast for their support for this event. Information Source: School of Arts, English and Languages | eventbrite

TRIFLED - A raw remount by Caitlin Magnall-Kearns After a highly successful, sell-out production at Dublin Theatre Festival last year we are delighted to present this script in hand, semi-staged performance of TRIFLED - directed by the writer. Jen is a bolshy young Northern Irish woman who is housebound with agoraphobia and trying to make the best of a sticky situation. Her days revolve around watching daytime TV and filming niche pornographic content for her profile on OnlyFans, until one day when a heartbroken English university lecturer lands on her doorstep. Based, in part, off the writers experience living with agoraphobia TRIFLED charts their blossoming friendship, in this brutally honest, darkly comedic two-hander about sex work, mental illness and custard. Bawdy, line-crossing, occasionally moving and always fun. - The Irish Times Audience Advisory/Trigger Warnings Contains strong language and references to sex and mental illness. Front & Centre are delighted to be able to showcase these studio shows by women and non-binary writers from Northern Ireland. Both pieces have enjoyed major successes at festivals in the UK and Ireland and as far afield as Australia. They’re examples of the excellence of craft emerging from the region. In presenting these works, we hope that arts institutes and buildings will engage and give the work much deserved, longer runs here in the North. However - a note on the trap of studio shows! Keeping women on small studio stages, not allowing them to graduate to main stages, seriously damages their career and earning power. It pushes them out of the industry as they can’t earn a living viably. This is particularly pronounced for working class writers. Longterm, we’d like to use our platform to propel these artists from studio shows to mainstages. Please note: Presale will end on the event day at 3pm. From that point onwards, tickets will only be available on the door, paying by card. This event has kindly been supported by Queen’s University and Belfast City Council. For other studio shows at the Symposium: The Daughters of Róisín by Aoibh Johnson Photo by Al Craig from original production at The New Theatre. Audience react to the original production at The New Theatre. Caitlin Magnall-Kearns is an award-winning writer from Belfast with a passion for telling unheard and underrepresented stories about fatness, queerness and disability with warmth, humour and wit. Following on from making it to the top 1% of applicants in 2023, she was selected last year from over 1300 people to be a part of the BBC’s Comedy Collective 2024 and was also a member of BBC Belfast Voices 2024. Her radio drama Safe Space produced by FABEL for Radio 4 aired in January 2025, and was a pick of the week in The Observer, The Sunday Times, The Mail on Sunday and the Radio Times. She is currently developing a sitcom with Hat Trick Productions, along with several other projects across stage, screen and radio. She is represented by Kate Haldane Management. Information Source: Front & Centre Women's Playwriting Symposium | eventbrite

Stuff & Things & Junk & Belonging by Carley MageeDirected by Emily Foran Longlisted for the Women's Prize for Playwriting. Four estranged siblings reunite for their father's wake only to be trapped in their childhood home. With no way out, they have to face their greatest fear; having to make conversation with one another. Familial bonds are brought to their breaking point as something is lurking in the house - watching - waiting. This is the last chance to move on from their shared past, or else their future will be brought to ruin. Front & Centre are proud to present a series of staged readings featuring plays that have been finalists, shortlisted, or longlisted for major UK and Ireland playwriting awards, but have yet to be programmed in Northern Ireland. Despite their accolades, these works, penned by talented women from the North, have remained under the radar. Plays are living, breathing documents that are written to be performed. For many women of the North, their brilliant, commended plays are sitting in drawers, languishing. Front & Centre is determined to change that! We’ve paired these remarkable writers with accomplished Northern Irish directors, offering audiences a first look at the next generation of female theatre makers from the North. This event has kindly been supported by Queen’s University and Belfast City Council. For other readings in the series: Hello Charlie by Caoimhe Farren The Wake by Anna Teresa McGrath Carley Magee is an emerging screenwriter and theatremaker from Belfast. One of the BBC Belfast Voices for 2023, her writing journey began with a Good Relations Project; working with youth groups around Belfast to write short films for young people to act, direct and design for.She was selected for Prime Cut's VERGE Season 3 Rehearsed Readings in 2022. As a recipient of the 2022 George B. Millar Award; her play “Seaborne” was produced by Youth Theatre Ireland and performed by Shout Out Youth theatre in Kerry. She worked as a facilitator to hold workshops with Shout Out in theatre devising, art and activism, and environmentalism. Then was commissioned by the Lyric Theatre Belfast to write a play about mental health for young people which will tour schools in 2025. Her play “Stuff & Things & Junk & Belonging” was long-listed for the Women’s Prize for Playwriting 2023. Carley is currently an INVEST Fellowship Artist with Theatre & Dance NI 2024/25. Information Source: Front & Centre Women's Playwriting Symposium | eventbrite

The Wake by Anna Teresa McGrathDirected by Emma Copland Longlisted for the The David MacLennan Award It’s MIMI’S wake, in a rural border town in Northern Ireland. Caught up in getting things correct for the mother she warred with, BRIGID is feeling stressed. Her estranged daughter MARIA has joined her to spend these last few waiting hours, with a woman they both had complicated relationships with. The Wake is darkly comic, but full of heart. It explores the matriarchal relationships in a family experiencing the seismic shock of loss, as they mourn the death of the senior matriarch, MIMI. TRIGGER WARNING: References to self-harm and suicide. Front & Centre are proud to present a series of staged readings featuring plays that have been finalists, shortlisted, or longlisted for major UK and Ireland playwriting awards, but have yet to be programmed in Northern Ireland. Despite their accolades, these works, penned by talented women from the North, have remained under the radar. Plays are living, breathing documents that are written to be performed. For many women of the North, their brilliant, commended plays are sitting in drawers, languishing. Front & Centre is determined to change that! We’ve paired these remarkable writers with accomplished Northern Irish directors, offering audiences a first look at the next generation of female theatre makers from the North. This event has kindly been supported by Queen’s University and Belfast City Council. For other readings in the series: Hello Charlie by Caoimhe Farren Stuff & Things & Junk & Belonging by Carley Magee Please note: Presale will end on the event day at 11:30am. From that point onwards, tickets will only be available on the door, paying by card. Anna McGrath is a writer interested in exploring identity, belonging, and cultural heritage, particularly the experiences of the Irish diaspora. One of Playwrights’ Studio Scotland’s six mentored playwrights in 2024, she has strong ties to both Northern Ireland and Scotland and has collaborated with companies including Provan Hall Trust, The Brunton, East Lothian Council, and Threes Theatre Company in Belfast. Her play The Wake, long-listed for the David MacLennan Award, explores death and the role of the matriarch, while Fallopia Japonica (Arts Council of Northern Ireland) uses dark comedy to challenge stigma around women’s health. She is currently developing Feis, a new play about the Irish dancing scandal. Anna also creates immersive theatre experiences, from site-specific productions at Provan Hall to Lisburn to Lapland, an interactive festive adventure in Northern Ireland. Her play Saltire Rock, commissioned for all thirty-six East Lothian primary schools, explores acceptance and diversity. Across all her work, she blends humour, cultural reflection, and storytelling that sparks conversation and connection. Information Source: Front & Centre Women's Playwriting Symposium | eventbrite

Explore Northern Ireland Women v Poland Women League B - Group B1 sporting information for 30th May, as well as more Football times with Fixture Calendar. Northern Ireland Women's National Football Team is a highly skilled and competitive team in the world of women's football. They have been competing in international competitions since 1973 and have consistently performed well, making it to the finals of the European Championship in 2009. The team has a rich history of players who have represented Northern Ireland at the highest level, including star players like Julie Nelson, Rachel Furness, and Simone Magill. The team plays their home matches at the National Football Stadium in Belfast, which has a capacity of 18,500 spectators. In recent years, the team has seen success in various international tournaments, including winning the 2017 Turkish Cup. With their determination, skill, and passion for the sport, Northern Ireland Women's Football Team continues to make a name for themselves in the world of women's football. Poland Women's National Football Team is the official women's football team representing Poland in international competitions. Founded in 1973, the team has made appearances in several prestigious tournaments such as the FIFA Women's World Cup and the UEFA Women's Euro. The team is managed by coach Andrzej Lesiak and their home ground is Stadion Narodowy in Warsaw, which has a capacity of over 58,000. Some of the notable players on the team include captain Sandra Zielinska, striker Ewa Pajor, and midfielder Agata Tarczynska. The team has achieved notable success, being crowned the champions of the Cyprus Women's Cup in 2013 and reaching the quarter-finals of the UEFA Women's Euro in 2017. With their determination and skill, the Poland Women's National Football Team continues to be a strong contender in the world of women's football. Information Source: fixturecalendar.com

Information Source: Matthew Brown | eventbrite

UK Melodic Hardcore Punk Band Left For Dead come to Ulster Sports Club in Belfast for a night if blistering Punk madness. Support from Takers And Users, Warchrist and Zeal Machine Information Source: Near Death Collective | eventbrite