By March, revision starts creeping in alongside the first hints of spring. Lectures pile up, notes spread across every surface, and suddenly, you need just a small break from the routine. There's a quiet shift in Belfast too, lighter evenings, music spilling from pubs, those little plans that feel like a breath of fresh air. You don't need a full schedule. Just an hour out of the library, one evening, trying something new. Here's what's happening around the city that might make your week feel a bit nicer. Of course, St Patrick’s Day gets the spotlight, but there’s loads more to do around Belfast all through March!

St Patrick’s Day Celebrations:

Whether you want the full parade or a vibrant trad session on a street corner, there’s plenty to do around the city before 17 March.

• • The Trad Trail (10 - 17 March): If you like live music, follow the Trad Trail. It moves across various venues in the city, bringing local sessions to life. It’s the perfect way to hear traditional Irish music. You can find more details on the Belfast City Council site
  • St Patrick’s Music Festival (13 - 17 March): In the days leading up to the 17th, Belfast slowly fills with even more music. The St Patrick’s Music Festival runs from 13 - 17 March, with a mix of outdoor stages and smaller acoustic performances scattered around the city centre. Some events are free, others are low-cost. The locations are mentioned here.
  • St George’s Market Craic (14 - 15 March): The weekend before the parade, St George's Market joins in on Saturday (9 am - 3 pm) and Sunday (10 am - 3 pm) with live traditional music and its usual mix of food stalls and local merchants.
  • The Main Parade (17 March): The St Patrick’s Parade takes over the city centre starting at 1.30 pm at City Hall. Streets fill with families, friends linking arms, that familiar hum of music and laughter before you even see the first float.

Deaf Arts Festival NI at The MAC: Accessible Arts in the City

On 14 March, The MAC is hosting the Deaf Arts Festival. It’s a brilliant mix of BSL comedy, theatre, and performances that focus on accessibility. You don’t need to know sign language to enjoy it; you just show up and get immersed in the creativity.

With plenty of performances, either free or low-cost, it’s an easy and affordable way to add something different to your usual routine. For full details and updates, visit the website here.

Spring Equinox Botanical Painting: Slow, Creative Time Out

If your ideal break from revision is something calm and creative, the Spring Equinox Botanical Painting workshop can be the way to go. On Friday 20 March at 6.30 pm, this session costs £13.70, and you can find more about it.

For a couple of quiet hours, you’ll paint botanical illustrations, learn simple techniques, and plant seeds to take home. It's a way to spend your evening that feels very different from staring at a laptop screen. You leave with something you’ve made yourself that is a reminder that spring is on its way.

Off the Record: Mystery Venue Club Night

If you’re in the mood for something a little more lively, Off the Record on 13 March offers a different kind of night out. Tickets are usually £10 - £15, and you can find details here.

What makes it interesting is that the venue isn’t announced straight away. You get the time, but the exact location is shared closer to the date. It adds a small sense of excitement without being overwhelming. Expect good music and a friendly crowd who are just there to enjoy the night.

On the Pulse: Zootropolis 2 at Ulster Museum

On Saturday 22 March at 3 pm, Cinemagic is showing Zootropolis 2 at Ulster Museum as part of their "On the Pulse" programme supporting South Belfast Foodbank. It’s a lovely way to watch a film in a grand old building while doing a bit of good for the community by bringing an optional but encouraged food donation. These special charity screenings are typically free or pay-what-you-can. Check the Film Hub NI page for a list of suggested items you can bring to donate. It's one of the easiest, most worthwhile cinema trips you can squeeze into a busy revision week.

Events Across Queen’s

Queen’s Students’ Union has loads of things going on to help you take a break. Like:

• • On Wednesday 18 March (2.30 pm - 3.30 pm), there’s Decorating Mini Desk Plants. You get a tiny plant to decorate and take home.
  • On Wednesday 25 March (2.30 pm - 3.30 pm), there’s Make a Mug, Keep a Mug, where you can paint your own mug however you like.

These kinds of events are perfect for just getting out for a bit, doing something a bit different, and having a laugh with friends. There’s loads more happening too, you can check the full list on the SU website here.

But the SU isn’t the only place with things happening. There’s a lot going on across Queen’s in March and April, and most of it won’t cost you a thing. These are just a few notable events; you can check out more events happening around Queen’s here.

• • Seachtain na Gaeilge 2026 from 1 March to 15 March: A few days of celebrating the Irish language and culture, with films, music, workshops and social events. You can drop in, try something new, and be part of it even if you don’t speak a word of Irish. This is happening in a different location; check out the schedule here.
  • Terrance Hayes Poetry Reading on March 12: Terrance Hayes will be reading his work live at the Seamus Heaney Centre. It’s a relaxed evening, a small room, and a chance to hear powerful writing up close. Even if poetry isn’t usually your thing, this could be a great experience. Find out more about it here.
  • It Goes as Follies on March 21: Spend the afternoon at the Seamus Heaney Centre, enjoying traditional music, stories, and poems. You can listen, join in, or just soak up the atmosphere. You can register for the event here.
  • Concert: Alex Petcu Percussion on March 19: Alex Petcu brings a full percussion set-up. It’s energetic, creative, and a nice change from the usual playlist on your headphones. For further details, visit here.

Music and Magic at The Black Box

If you’re looking for something a bit more unusual, The Black Box has two great options:

• • The First Slip: On 1 April, The First Slip brings a free trad session to the Green Room, usually starting around 5 pm. It’s all fiddles and acoustic warmth, the kind of music that makes the room feel cosy. You can find more about it on their website.
  • Midweek Magic Club: The Midweek Magic Club is on 8 April, with a few other dates that pop up throughout the month. You can check the latest on their site. Tickets are usually around £5–£10, and the show lasts about 90 minutes. It’s close-up magic and mind-reading, the kind where you sit there half laughing and half wondering how they just did that. It’s light and surprising. You can find more about it here.

Late Night Art: An Easy Midweek Reset

Finally, to round off a busy month, on the first Thursday in April (2nd) from 5 pm - 9 pm, galleries across the Cathedral Quarter stay open late for Late Night Art. Most exhibitions are free, and it’s a lovely way to spend an evening after lectures, especially when you want something creative but low effort. You can check participating galleries and times here.

March can be a strange mix of pressure and possibility. There’s always more work you could be doing, but there are also these small, easy chances to breathe. Whether it’s a film at the Ulster Museum, a mystery club night, a Late Night Art wander or half an hour decorating a desk plant, it all counts as looking after yourself. Pick whatever feels right for you.

Written by Priyal Gupta

BSc Computer Science