Belfast is seriously beginning to open up again, with most of the remaining Covid restrictions set to be removed by the end of the month.
Thanks to this, there's plenty happening throughout the city this weekend.
Here's what to look out for:
Neil Diamond Tribute Show at Stormont Hotel, January 22
Celebrating all the classic hits of one of the world’s greatest ever singer songwriters this is the ultimate musical journey that all Diamond fans, old and new have been waiting for.
Experience a performance as close to the legend as you can get, combining superb vocals with a relaxed sense of humour to deliver a brilliant Diamond night of musical entertainment.
This live spectacular re-lives Neil's most popular hits including Sweet Caroline and You Don’t Bring Me Flowers.
Winter Skate, SSE Arena, January 22-30
Get ready to lace up, as Winter Skate brings public ice skating back to The SSE Arena, Belfast this winter.
Running on selected dates across January, Winter Skate gives members of the public the opportunity to skate at the home of the Belfast Giants.
Tickets are priced at £7 per person for standard skate sessions, including skate hire; £25 for a family of four or £30 for a family of five.
Brian Kennedy, live at the Europa Hotel, January 22
One of Belfast's favourite voices, Brian Kennedy, returns to the Europa Hotel for an unforgettable performance on Saturday 22 January 2022.
Brian Kennedy is one of Ireland’s most inspired and revered ambassadors of music. He is a prolific songwriter and master interpreter of lyrics.
Audiences around the world continue to praise his exceptional vocal talents. Originally from Belfast, Northern Ireland, the multi-platinum recording artist remains one of Ireland’s most popular singing stars.
140th RUA Annual Exhibition, Ulster Museum, until January 29
The RUA Annual Exhibition (RUA) is one of the most eagerly anticipated exhibition in the Northern Irish cultural calendar, providing a unique platform for acclaimed artists and emerging talent to showcase their artwork in the fabulous galleries at the Ulster Museum. It is also a chance for the public to engage with a fully democratic, free admission exhibition.
The exhibition contains examples of painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, video and more. Some of the works reflect the times we are living and allude to isolation, social distancing and surviving in Covid times. Other works share deep messages with hope, humour, passion and integrity.
Before opening the exhibition the RUA will host a series of Wednesday lunchtime talks at their new premises on Rosemary Street.
The lunchtime programme features Betty Brown talking about Outsider Art at 1pm on 13th October, Noelle McAlinden on Art & Wellbeing on 20th October and Amanda Croft will talk about the Diploma Collection on 27th October.
The Annual exhibition can also be experienced online using state of the art technology to create an extraordinary virtual tour that brings art to the people wherever they are.
Art Unwrapped, Belfast City Centre, until January 31
Belfast City Council, Ulster University and National Museums NI have joined forces for the fourth year in a row to deliver ‘Art Unwrapped’.
The project takes an iconic piece of work from the Ulster Museum’s collection, and gives it pride of place in the heart of the city as a gift to its citizens during the Christmas period.
This year, Art Unwrapped will present ‘Innishlacken Couple’ by one of Belfast’s most revered artists, Gerard Dillon (1916 – 1971). The much-loved piece from the national collection is arguably one of his most famous paintings and will be displayed in the purpose-built gallery at 2 Royal Avenue from 16 December until 31 January 2022.
Ulster University Belfast School of Art students will be providing guided tours introducing the work to members of the public and exploring the painting and its themes. There will be several different student-led virtual tours allowing viewers to experience different explorations of this magnificent art piece.
School workshops will also be available online. Ulster University art students will also be facilitating online tours and a range of narrated, interactive workshops specifically designed for pupils and teachers.
Times vary, to book your place and see event times, please visit www.ulster.ac.uk/artunwrapped
