Belfast gets a welcome antidote to January gloom with the return of the Out to Lunch Arts Festival, running from 9–31 January and offering almost a month of craic, culture and comforting lunches.
Now in its 21st year, the festival’s much-loved formula remains the same: affordable daytime events spanning music, theatre, comedy, talks, tours, books and film – all paired with a bowl of something hot.
This year’s packed programme features standout music from Grant Lee Phillips, Mary Dillon, Yann Tiersen, Luka Bloom, The Ulster Orchestra, NI Opera, Don Letts, Amythyst Kiah and many more. Spoken word highlights include Zadie Smith, Michael Palin, Maria Alyokhina, Mariella Frostrup and Michael Smiley, while comedy fans can enjoy shows from Conor Burns, Robin Ince, Caroline McEvoy and Hal Cruttenden.
Theatre, film and special events include Work is the Curse of the Drinking Classes, Simply Streisand, James Joyce adaptations, guided tours across Belfast, Tenx9, a Vincent Price screening and the Irish premiere of the Jeff Buckley documentary It’s Never Over.
Festival Director Sean Kelly says the 21st anniversary is a major milestone, noting that Out to Lunch continues to grow, stay affordable and offer the perfect January pick-me-up: “With great comedy, music, theatre, film – and seriously good lunches – there’s no need to hibernate after Christmas.”
