ISSUE #002 · 12–18 OCTOBER 2026
There’s more to going out than going for a drink.
From learning street photography with a Pulitzer winner to seeing magic performed right at your table, this week is full of reasons to try something different.
We went through 93 events happening across Northern Ireland. Six made the cut.
Here’s what’s worth your time.
THIS WEEK
LEGO IN COLERAINE
FAMILY · HANDS-ON · FIRST IN NI
Coleraine is getting a LEGO weekend across three town-centre venues. It’s the first National Brick Events show in Northern Ireland, bringing impressive brick-built displays, builders and creative activities together over two days. There’s plenty for younger fans, but adult LEGO enthusiasts have every reason to go too.
THE DETAILS
Sat 17 + Sun 18 Oct · 9am–4pm
Three town-centre venues, Coleraine
Free–£27.58 · timed-entry booking · all ages
TRY STREET PHOTOGRAPHY
LEARN FROM A PRO · CREATIVE · 18+
What would Ballycastle look like through the eyes of a Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist? Cathal McNaughton is leading a three-hour street photography workshop where you can use your camera or smartphone to notice what you might ordinarily walk past. At £30, the appeal is the opportunity to learn from someone with that experience — and come away seeing familiar streets differently.
THE DETAILS
Sat 17 Oct · 11am–2pm
YARN, Ballycastle
£30 full / £27 concession · booking required · 18+
HEAR GHOST STORIES IN TWO TOWNS
LOCAL LORE · AFTER HOURS · HALLOWEEN
Ghostly encounters, cursed houses and some of Ireland’s strangest supernatural stories, brought to life by dark historian Andrew Johnston.
Eerieland is an evening of eerie tales, unsettling history and stories that might just make you question what you believe.
There are two chances to hear it this week: Maghera on Wednesday or Enniskillen on Saturday. Choose the town that suits.
THE DETAILS — MAGHERA
Wed 14 Oct · 7.30–9.30pm
An Coire, Maghera
£10 · booking required · 12+
THE DETAILS — ENNISKILLEN
Sat 17 Oct · 9pm start
Ardhowen Theatre, Enniskillen
£15 · booking required · Gallery Bar suitable for over 18s
MAKE WEDNESDAY NIGHT MAGIC
CLOSE-UP MAGIC · AT YOUR TABLE · £6.50
At Midweek Magic Club, the tricks happen right at your table, not on a distant stage. The intimate close-up performances are spread through the evening, leaving time to chat between them. At £6.50 plus booking fee, this is a far more interesting answer to “what are we doing Wednesday?” than the usual last-minute plan.
THE DETAILS
Wed 14 Oct · doors 7.30pm; programme 8–10.30pm
Green Room, The Black Box, Belfast
£6.50 + booking fee · booking required
SPEND SATURDAY CELEBRATING OSCAR WILDE
LOCAL STORY · FREE · FAMILY
Oscar Wilde spent seven formative years at school in Enniskillen. This Saturday, the town is celebrating that connection with readings, performances and new public art inspired by The Happy Prince. The free, all-ages WildeDay programme turns familiar streets into somewhere worth exploring afresh. You can dip into an event or make an afternoon of it, with a story that genuinely belongs to the town.
THE DETAILS
Sat 17 Oct · 9.45am procession; main programme 10am–4pm
Various locations, Enniskillen
Free · walk-in · all ages
TAKE A WILDLIFE WALK THIS SATURDAY
FREE · EXPERT-LED · OUTDOORS
There’s a lot you can miss when you walk past somewhere familiar. Join bird expert Dot Blakely for a free morning at Springfield Dam, looking more closely at the plants and wildlife around you. Some binoculars are available to borrow, so you don’t need specialist kit to take part. It’s a simple way to get outside and discover more of what’s on your doorstep.
THE DETAILS
Sat 17 Oct · 10am–12 noon
Springfield Dam, Belfast · meet at main car park
Free · advance email booking required
ONE TO TRY ANYTIME
TRY BOULDERING
TRY IT YOURSELF · BEGINNER-FRIENDLY · £20 TASTER
If you’ve fancied climbing but never known where to start, BoulderWorld gives you an easier first step. Its £20 taster includes up to 45 minutes with an instructor, shoe hire and centre entry so you can carry on afterwards. Bouldering is climbing without ropes or harnesses, over padded mats. Save this one for a day when you want to try something new.
THE DETAILS
Taster sessions offered during the week · choose a slot on the booking page
BoulderWorld, 41 Boucher Road, Belfast
£20 taster · up to 45 min instruction, shoe hire and centre entry
Centre hours: Mon–Fri 10am–10pm; Sat–Sun 10am–8pm
ANYTHING HERE YOU’D BE UP FOR?
READER REWARD
YOUR NEXT DATE, SORTED.
Stargazing under dark skies. Kayaking by moonlight. Sea saunas, pottery nights and unexpected places worth the drive.
We've put together 25 genuinely good date ideas across Northern Ireland in a 20-page guide, with price guidance, practical details and links to help make them happen.
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That’s the edit for this week.
BREAK THE DEFAULT.
OFF THE DRINK CLUB is a free weekly guide to finding better things to do across Northern Ireland.
No endless listings. Just the things we think are actually worth knowing about.