Worried about what to do this weekend? No need, as we have your guide to a fun-filled and festive few days whether you’re going out or staying in.
THEATRE
The Night Before Christmas, The MAC Belfast, from November 29 – January 7
The MAC’s brand-new Christmas show will provide fun for all the family this festive season. Written by Stephen Beggs and Simon Magill it has all the elements from your favourite fairy tales but more than enough twists to keep you captivated.
O Holly Knight!, Theatre at the Mill, from November 29 – December 30
It’s 1965 and Holly Knight is the name on everyone’s lips in Belfast. Every woman wants to be her and every man wants to marry her. She’s a journalist, an agony aunt, a fashion icon, food expert and homemaker extraordinaire…or at least that’s what she wants her readers to think.
Blending nostalgia, comedy, music and romance O Holly Night! Is guaranteed to get you feeling festive.
Snow White and the seven dwarfs, Grand Opera House Belfast, from December 2 – January 14
Northern Ireland’s largest pantomime is back for another magical year with the timeless classic, Snow White and the seven dwarfs.
Belfast’s much-loved May McFettridge is May of the mirror and will be celebrating her record breaking 33rd Grand Opera House panto season this year. Other stars include funny man Phil Walker and An Irish Goodbye star Paddy Jenkins.
Hansel & Gretel, Lyric Theatre Belfast, from November 24 – January 6
Join Hansel, Gretal and Monty the mouse as they tumble through their story book and into an enchanted forest. Together with the help of some woodland creatures they take you on a magical journey to defeat the with in her sweetie.
Written by Derry Girls star Tara-Lynne O’Neill you will not want to miss this brand-new retelling or this classic tale.
Have Yourself A Scary Little Christmas, Lyric Theatre Belfast, from December 1 – January 6
Grimes and McKee are bringing some spookiness to the season with their new Christmas production.
Set in Darkwood Manor, an eerie ancestral estate TV psychic Nancy Nugent is preparing to uncover something supernatural. But what happens if the ghosts she hunts are even too ghastly for her?
Read more:
The Lyric Theatre launches a programme full of festive fun this Christmas
Intriguing secrets, elusive guests and a slight Christmas creepiness will have you glued to your seat throughout. It’s all part of the festive shivers in Have Yourself a Scary Little Christmas.
CULTURE
Wee Toast Tours – Toasty Christmas, City Hall Christmas Markets Belfast, from November 28
Wee Toast Tours are joining the Belfast Christmas Market at City Hall this year. Running a series of festive mini tours that will be sure to get you into the Christmas spirit.
@thenibeautybargainerx What Better way to get into the Christmas Spirit than by going on the @WeeToastTours around Belfast City Centre belting out Christmas Songs#fyp #fypシ゚viral #belfast #christmastiktok #christmas #belfastchristmas #belfastchristmasmarkets #belfastcitycentre #belfastcityhall#weetoasttours #weetoasttourbelfast #invite#niblogger #belfastblogger @Culinary Couture ♬ original sound - TheNIBeautyBargainer
The tours will run every half an hour from 10:00am until 10:30pm. You can simply hop on or book online for £10. There will also be mulled wine, hot chocolate, Irish whiskey hot toddies and Irish coffees on offer.
The maximum is 15 people per bike, but multiple bikes can be booked and ridden in tandem if you are part of a bigger group.
Cocoa & Cookies Christmas Cruise, the Big Fish, December 1 & 2 6:00pm – 7:30pm
Enjoy a 90-minute adventure along the enchanting River Lagan on a boat adorned with holiday decorations and discover the fascinating landmarks along the water’s edge with live commentary.
Complimentary hot chocolate and cookies will be provided as glide through the river singing along to timeless Christmas carols.
Enchanted Winter Garden, Antrim Castle Gardens, November 25 – December 19
The Enchanted Winter Gardens are back in Antrim this year and word on the high street is that the Grinch is planning to steal the show.
The iconic Giant wheel will tower over the event and other attractions such as the Wave Swinger, Dazzling Teacups, The Enchanted Spinner and Helter Skelter. Santa will be in his grotto and has organised themed attractions including his Toy Ride Carousel and Train Ride, suitable for the smaller children of the family.
@leahannafitness This is a definite on the festive bucket list♥️ #christmas #antirmgardens #northernireland #fyp #datenight ♬ All I Want for Christmas Is You - Mariah Carey
The Festive Fayre will feature various stalls selling hot chocolate and other tasty food and drinks, gifts perfect for Christmas and a marshmallow roasting station alongside a seating area for event goers to stop and take in all the Enchanted Winter Garden has to offer.
Waterman House December Cookery School Classes, Cookery School at Waterman House, from December 1 – December 31
@jgendron10 Replying to @Finn Singh such a fun and tasty experience @Waterman House Cookery School!! • #bestrestaurantsinbelfast #culinaryschool #belfastfood #belfastrestaurants #watermanhousecookeryschool #belfastvlog #northernireland #watermanhouse #exploringbelfast #belfastdatenight #cookeryschoolni ♬ Adult Jazz Lounge Jazz Piano Trio(261224) - copanda
Have you ever wanted to impress friends or colleagues with you cocktail making skills? Or perhaps wanted to impress parents and in laws with your Christmas cooking? Well then, these Waterman House cookery classes are for you.
Read more:
Recipes: Weekend wow factor with Niall McKenna's tarte tatin
Aiming to enable student to make delicious dishes that can be prepared quickly or in advance these classes ate informal and relaxed but also well structures and feature a mix of demonstration and hands-on cooking.
WATCH
A Nearly Normal Family, Netflix, available from November 24
Swedish thriller, A Nearly Normal Family follows how a seemingly normal family's life changes when a murder proves the lengths that they are willing to go to protect each other.
Bad Surgeon Love Under The Knife, Netflix , available from November 29
The three-part series tells the story of the Swiss-Italian surgeon Paolo Macchiarini, who became internationally renowned in the mid-noughties for creating the world's first plastic organs.
Saltburn available to watch in cinemas from November 17
A student is invited to an eccentric classmate’s estate for an exciting summer however things quickly take a weird turn for the worse.
Read more:
Emerald Fennell on how her film Saltburn is ‘metaphorically' a vampire movie
Eileen available to watch in cinemas from December 1
In 1964 Massachusetts, a young secretary becomes enchanted by Rebecca, the glamorous new counselor at the prison where she works. Their budding friendship soon takes a twisted turn when Rebecca reveals a dark secret.
