What’s On in Belfast ? October edition
“What’s on in Belfast? - October Edition”
What's On in Belfast: Your Monthly Guide to Events & Things to Do
Your month-by-month guide to the best events, gigs, festivals and cool stuff to do in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
At a networking event recently, someone said to me: "Y'know, Belfast doesn't actually have a central place to find out about all the cool things happening in the city." And she was right!
Google is free, yes, but when I want to know what's on in Belfast, I usually end up just scrolling Instagram. Even then (thanks to the algorithm lol) I often find an amazing event only after the date has passed or the tickets have sold out.
We Were Spoiled Rotten During the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann!
During this year's Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, a smart web developer teamed up with Lavery's Bar to create a nifty wee mobile widget that cycled through events across the many festivals running at the same time. It was a game changer: live updates on paid events, free events and everything in between.
But alas, all good things must come to an end. :(
A New Home for Belfast Events
So I've decided to dedicate a small corner of our website to keep you in the know about events in Belfast month by month. I won't be able to shoutout everything, but I'll do my best to highlight cool things to do in Belfast that might not make it to the front page of the Belfast City Council website, from free events and live music to festivals, markets, theatre and community happenings.
Bookmark this page on your browser, and check back each month, so you never miss out on the best of Belfast again!
What's On in Belfast This Month
So, without further ado, let's take a look at what's in store in Belfast city this upcoming month!
BANANA BLOCK FILM FESTIVAL - THURSDAY 1ST OCTOBER 2026
COST: FREE!
LOCATION: BANANA BLOCK, BELFAST
BANANA BLOCK FILM FESTIVAL - FILM - BANANA BLOCK - BELFAST
Banana Block Film Festival 2026: Free Indie Film Festival in East Belfast - Proudly sponsored by The Spinners Mill Studio.
Banana Block Film Festival is an independent film festival in Belfast, curated and managed by Lindsay Mead and hosted by Banana Block in East Belfast's Portview Trade Centre. Get your free ticket on Eventbrite.
This festival brings new and local talent from Northern Ireland's film industry to the forefront. Budding filmmakers, production teams and screenwriters will showcase their latest work in this historic arts and cultural venue. At intermission, there will be a live score performance from Musician and Composer Paul McMordie and a film-inspired disco for networking and dancing, among other treats.
The best part is that it doesn't cost a thing!
We love this. It's about time the indie film scene in Belfast got some spotlight. We're really excited to see what's on show at Banana Block this Thursday, and we're delighted to be sponsoring one of the prizes.
Best of luck to everyone taking part. Creating anything in this day and age is an incredible feat, and exhibiting your work in front of a crowd is another thing altogether. Well done to all the finalists. We can't wait to see what you've made!
Reserve your free Banana Block Film Festival tickets now, as free events can still reach capacity.
Also on this weekend….
FÉLINE - FRIDAY 2ND OCTOBER 2026
COST: £10 (+fees)
LOCATION: ULSTER SPORTS CLUB, BELFAST
FÉLINE - MUSIC/NIGHTLIFE - ULSTER SPORTS CLUB - BELFAST
[pronounced: ˈfēˌlīn - fuh-leen] [18+] [From £10]- Friday 2nd October 2026 - Ulster Sports Club
FÉLINE is a dance music event by local legend, DJ and promoter Conor Schmutz.
With its minimal branding, featuring simple print images of endearing cats (creds to Anna McAteer), the vibe of the event is usually very low-key, well curated sounds for those in the mood for Minimal, Alternative, House & Techno.
This is a regular event, but the October edition will feature Kristian Woods, Emma O, Sufi Is Ifus & SARAMO.
What’s great about FÉLINE is not just the A&R and promotional output that Conor puts into the event but also the incredible sound system used at each night. That’s something that had the tendency to come second in a lot of dance music venues up until recently. We lost the art of good sound for a while there. Great sound systems are making a comeback however (thank goodness!)
You can get your tickets for FÉLINE via Skiddle. Don’t be a slow-poke either and get them whilst you can. I know from experience, leaving it on the long-finger not only increases your chances of flaking, but it doesn't help promoters who need ticket sales to cover production costs and artist fees. Don't delay!
And for something stretching out mid-month onwards…
BELFAST INTERNATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL 2026: 200+ Events Across Belfast
WEDNESDAY 14TH OCTOBER - SUNDAY 8TH NOVEMBER
COST: FREE + ENTRY FEE
LOCATION: LOCATIONS ACROSS BELFAST CITY
BELFAST INTERNATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL - MUSIC - FILM - VISUAL ARTS - LITERATURE - THEATRE
Wednesday 14 October – Sunday 8 November 2026 | 30+ venues across Belfast city | Ticket prices vary, some free events | Book via the festival website
The Belfast International Arts Festival is back for its 64th edition, filling venues across Belfast city with more than 200 events. Expect theatre, dance, music, visual arts and literature, plus a brand-new Immersive Arts strand taking over Studio Ulster.
The programme brings in artists from 19 countries alongside local talent. Highlights include Senegalese music legends Orchestra Baobab, Radiohead guitarist Ed O'Brien, the Lyric Theatre's production of Brian Friel's Faith Healer starring Conleth Hill, and talks from Sebastian Barry and Simon Mayo.
This is one of the longest-running arts festivals in Northern Ireland, with roots in the 1960s, when it began as a Queen's University event. It has been independent since 2015. It aims to engage both global and local communities in the richness and diversity of contemporary arts practice, and I think Belfast being so vibrant with so many diverse cultures, is the ideal stage.
Alongside the main programme there are outreach and education events, and the festival offers free and low-cost ways to take part, so it's worth exploring even if you are on a tight budget!
Browse the 2026 programme and book tickets on the Belfast International Arts Festival website, and
Get the full Belfast International Arts Festival programme to learn more about what’s on each day at the festival.
Now, a question for you: are you planning something yourself?
That's our round-up of what's on in Belfast this month! If you're planning something yourself, whether it's a club night, a film screening, a gig or a festival, let us know and we'll happily consider featuring you in our monthly Belfast events guide.
We can also help you make it look and sound great at The Spinners Mill Studio:
Promo content for your next event: need a space to record content that promotes your night? Email us to get started at info@thespinnersmill.co.uk.
Long-form content: recording a podcast, interview or series? Book a video and audio recording session in our state of the art studio in the heart of East Belfast.
DJ practice and set recording: need practice time or a cosy place to record your set? Book a DJ session at The Spinners Mill Studio.
Whatever you need to promote and prepare for your next event in Belfast, Northern Ireland, we're here to help.
Check back next month for the next Belfast events guide. See ya later!
Written by Morgan Blain-Crehan
Co-Founder of The Spinners Mill Studio
Frequently Asked Questions: Belfast Events & The Spinners Mill Studio
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This guide covers the best events, gigs, festivals and hidden gems happening in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and we update it every month. This edition includes a free indie film festival in Banana Block East Belfast, a techno and house club night in Ulster Sports Club, and the Belfast International Arts Festival, which runs from 14 October to 8 November 2026.
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Yes. Belfast has free events all year round, from film screenings to community happenings. This month, for example, the Banana Block Film Festival in East Belfast is free, though you need to reserve a ticket on Eventbrite. Check the listings above for more.
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Belfast doesn't have one central place for everything, which is why we started this monthly guide. You can also check the Visit Belfast website, YEO Magazine instagram page and venue pages, and we aim to include events that don't make it onto the bigger listings sites.
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Email us at info@thespinnersmill.co.uk with the event name, date, venue, ticket link and a short description. We can't feature everything, but we'll happily consider events happening in Belfast.
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Yes. You can book a DJ session at The Spinners Mill Studio for practice time or to record your set in a relaxed space. Tea & coffee is available complementary in the studio with the use of vinyl and digital DJ decks by the hour.
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Yes. You can book a video and audio recording session for long-form content such as podcasts and interviews, or to record promo content for your next event. We are located inside Banana Block on the Newtownards Road in Belfast.
