19 festive and fun things to do this December

Tumble Circus & Pantomime
Author: Eve JacksonPublished 12th Dec 2023

Looking for some fun family and friend events and activities to do this festive season, then look no further. Are you sick of the same old mundane Christmas activities?

Then check out our list to spice up your Christmas season 🎄🎅👇👇

Fairytale of New York Experience

An Irish-inspired Christmas show taking place on the 19th and 20th of December in the Waterfront Hall. Directed from the West End and featuring an international cast of musicians, singers and dancers. Enjoy a festive arrangement of your favourite Christmas songs also including the best Irish sing-along tunes including 'Galway Girl', 'Danny Boy' and more!
Make sure to get your tickets here |nofollow|newtab)

Mean Girls Bottomless Drag Brunch

On Sunday we wear pink!
Revolution De Cuba Belfast will be hosting on Sunday 17th December 1-4pm
Calling all mean girl enthusiasts for a day that will be so fetch!
With a fabulous day hosted by Rusty Hinges, and featuring incredible performances with all your favourite y2k hits… it will be hilarious, boozy and just that little bit risqué!

The Motown Sensations

The Belfast Barge- December 14 7.30pm-11pm
Heralding from South Africa, Darryl Hendricks, Bongi Lolwana and Wesley Adams bring you this amazing vocal tribute to all things Motown.
Make sure to get your tickets HERE before they sell out.

Christmas Salsa Social

Revolution De Cuba is bringing back Belfast's favourite Latin-Salsa Nights Christmas edition on Tuesday 19th December 2023, 8.30pm-11.30pm
Whether you're one of Strictly's very own or just a two-step side to side kind of dancer this Salsa Social is open to everyone 18+

Christmas by Candlelight at Ulster Hall, Belfast

Join on 17 December 2023 for 2 beautiful Christmas by Candlelight shows!
An incredible West End Cast and live band perform classic Christmas Hits as you have never heard them before!
With songs such as 'White Christmas', 'Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!', 'Santa Baby', 'O Holy Night' and 'Winter Wonderland' to get you into the festive spirit.

Candlelight: The Best of Magical Movie Soundtracks

Calling all movie buffs!
Immerse yourself in 1 hour of movie magic with a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in Belfast Castle.
With songs like You've Got a Friend, The Little Mermaid's Kiss the Girl, The Avengers Theme and Pirates of the Caribbean… reminisce on the warmth of your favourite films.

Lorde of the Dance- A Lifetime of Standing Ovations

Michael Flatley's ground-breaking choreography for Riverdance is back!
Becoming one of the most successful touring productions in entertainment history, having been seen by over 60 million people.
The 2023 show as part of its 25th anniversary tour, fans can expect new staging, new costumes and choreography plus cutting-edge technology, special effects and remarkable lighting.

Guinness Blues Café – Light

Looking for the perfect chance to unwind and enjoy the power of the blues!
Get ready to groove to the soulful tunes of talented blues artists in the heart of Belfast. This in-person event is the perfect opportunity to enjoy some fantastic live music on Saturday, December 30, 2023, starting at 2pm located at 1-3 Lower Garfield Street, Belfast, BT1 1FP

Elvis Spectacular Show at the Europa Hotel, Belfast

Join the Europa Hotel in an intimate "cabaret-style" setting to hear all your favourite songs by the King of Rock on Wed 27th- 29th Dec 2023 at 7.30pm-11.30pm.
Dance the night away with Burning Love, Viva Las Vegas and Jailhouse Rock.

Ulster Orchestra: The Snowman Family Concert

The ultimate Christmas festivities are simply just at the Waterfront Hall, Belfast on Saturday 02 Dec 2023 – 2pm & 4.30pm, conducted by Christopher Bell. People of all ages will enjoy this timeless tale of a young boy and his magical Snowman, shown on a big screen and accompanied by the Orchestra and young guest soloists.
Make sure to get your tickets for this memorable event for all your loved ones.

Rapunzel Family Pantomime

Who doesn't love a Christmas Panto?!
This Christmas treat is perfect for all the family, telling the tale of the lonely princess with the golden hair trapped in a tower, longing for a life of adventure on the outside world.
Enjoy this magical show from 17 November- 31 December at The Waterfront Hall Belfast.

Belfast Christmas Market

The Christmas market is back from the 18 November- 22 December 2023 at Belfast City Hall Grounds.
Indulge yourself in foods across the world, find unique gifts or enjoy yourself a stein in either one of the German beer tents.

Santa’s Post Office

Young children can join Santa's elves for free arts and crafts and design their own letter to Santa Claus and post their letters in Santa's special post box.
Make Christmas magical this year with this event taking place a 2 Royal Avenue from 18 November- 17 December.

Have Yourself a Scary Little Christmas

Halloween may have just passed but some of us still enjoy the spookier things in life.
Have Yourself a Scary Little Christmas is the perfect mix of Christmas cheer mixed with a spooky comedy this year at the Lyric Theatre, starting on Friday 1 December to Saturday 6 January 2024

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Show

The Grand Opera House will be showing the Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Panto, creating a world of magic that is brought to life with an abundance of comedy, sensational song and dance numbers, fabulous costumes and stunning scenery from 2 December to 14 January.

Beauty and the Beast: The Pantomime

The Belvoir Studio Theatre will be creating this iconic tale as old as time from the 20 December to 6 January. The traditional fairy-tale has been reworked into a beauty-full, classic family friendly pantomime brought to you by the panto experts from the Belvoir Players.

Belfast Ghost Story and Tour for Christmas at White’s Tavern with the BelfastLad

Take time to relax and listen to tales of Belfast's past in the company of the ghost master himself Francis Higgins of BelfastLad Tours on 27th December 7-9pm.
The tours content contains references to some of Belfast's bloody past including the Troubles and uses parapsychological equipment to detect the unseen, so it is advised for children aged fourteen and under do not take the tour.

Santa Cruise, Strangford Lough Activity Centre

Hold onto your Santa hats as you fly through the waters of Strangford Lough from December 1-17 at 10am-2.30pm. Enjoy some classic Christmas hits whilst riding the waves back to Santa's Grotto.
After flying across the lough, warm yourself up by the fireside in the cosy cabin with Christmas treats. Lastly visit Santa and the elves to find out if you've been naughty or nice!

Tumble Circus has returned

Following their hugely successful 2022/2023 performances, Belfast's award-winning Circus Company, Tumble Circus are delighted to announce the return of their Winter Circus.
Treat your family and friends to a Winter extravaganza unlike anything else on offer in Belfast, with a host of death-defying acts to keep the audience on the edge of their seats!
The Winter Circus shows will run between December 15th 2023 & January 02nd 2024 and will take place at Writers' Square in Belfast; look out for the fully heated Tumble Circus big top tent!

Read More:

Rescheduled dates for Belfast's Coca-Cola Truck Experience announced

The Best Winter Walks across NI

Date announced for James Nesbitt's new festive movie The Heist Before Christmas