The awesome guys at the tourist board know there are stacks of fun things to do across NI, from family days out to gigs and cultural events every week. So here are their top 10 exciting things taking place this week (20 – 26 January 2020)

  1. Out-to-Lunch-Festival Out to Lunch Festival Belfast, 3 – 26 January. A lunch-based arts festival featuring the best in Comedy, Theatre, Literature and Music held in Belfast’s vibrant Cathedral Quarter. The 2020 edition features Badly Drawn Boy, Cerys Matthews, Janey Godley, Val McDermid, Joanne Harris and many more.
  2. 4-Vicars-Burns-Night-Dinner  4 Vicars Burns Night Dinner Armagh, 25 January. Join 4 Vicars Catering for a Burns Night Supper on Sat 25 Jan. A delightful evening of food, drink, music and poetry. Wine, whiskey and fun and a club bar for the extra thirsty. The floor will be open for anyone to recite Burns poetry or their own composition. Musicians also welcome.
  3. Belfast-Gin-School Belfast Gin School Belfast, 25 Jan – 28 March. Through experiential learning, with master distiller, Ian, you will have the opportunity to see gin being distilled, learn about flavour combinations and make your own! Each participant will receive a goodie bag containing their own miniature bottle of gin to serve with their tonic of choice at home. A great afternoon with gin and cupcakes, what’s not to love?
  4. Tyrella-Point-to-Point Tyrella Point to Point Downpatrick, 25 January. Tyrella point-to-point is the perfect day out for all the family in the Irish countryside and where you will get to witness the future stars of the racing industry make their introduction into competitive racing.  Unlike most racecourses, spectators can stand beside one of the fences and feel the power of the horses as they jump a fence in full flight or get close to the winning post for a birds eye view of the thrilling action.
  5. Paranormal-Investigation Paranormal Investigation Belfast, 18 Jan – 31 March. On this four hour investigation, you will be taken to the most active areas in the Gaol and will be given the chance to use equipment as used by experts while conducting your very own ghost hunt. The areas you will visit will include the reception, the condemned man’s cell, execution chamber, the tunnel and the flogging room.
  6. SimplyE-Exhibition SimplyE Exhibition Armagh, 2 – 31 January. Craftswirl @ Armagh Visitor Information Centre is delighted to showcase a beautiful exhibition by SimplyE for their January exhibition. SimplyE is a maker, designer and a weaver of bespoke leather and weave products for use within the home and fashion industry which are all individually hand woven from her design studio in County Armagh.
  7. Walled-City-400 Walled City 400 Derry~Londonderry, 18 February 2019 to 31 March 2020. Last year marked the 400th anniversary of the completion of the Derry Walls. Built from 1613-1619, the Walls are the largest ancient monument in Northern Ireland, the only remaining Walled City in Ireland and one of the finest examples of Walled Cities in Europe.
  8. Life-Cycles-by-Lorna-Smyth Life Cycle by Lorna Smyth Enniskillen, 2 December 2019 – 18 April 2020. This showcase of new works, curated by renowned artist Lorna Smyth, encompasses the four seasons in one year. Lorna’s art emphasises the world around us, highlights her love of nature and captures a sense of belonging regardless of the place name.
  9. Lost-Childhood-Exhibition Lost Childhood Exhibition Derry~Londonderry, 2 December 2019 – 31st January 2020. This December, take a trip to the award-winning Museum of Free Derry to see one of their most poignant and affective exhibitions yet, ‘Lost Childhood Exhibition’.
  10. Philanthropy-Past-and-Present-Tour Philanthropy Past and Present, Tour of Clifton House Belfast, 10 January – 28 February. Clifton House is an impressive Georgian building, set in tranquil landscaped gardens in the heart of Belfast. Opened in 1774 by Belfast Charitable Society, the building was used as a nursing home and hospital for older people, now transformed into a unique event venue and visitor attraction. The January and February tours explore the city’s oldest working building, set up by philanthropic merchants as the Belfast Poor House. Hear stories of its work and those who sought refuge in its walls.
Chris Caldwell

Author: Chris Caldwell

Chris Caldwell at your service! My favourite things are eating and Theatre, I have 2 small sons called Alex and Max who are more mustard than Hellmann's. I spend my days trying to wrangle them and exploring my favourite city - BELFAST! My favourite films are horror, my fav music is metal and my favourite Beatle is Ringo, mainly his work on Thomas the Tank.