Days Out NI
Theatre & gallery Belfast

Grand Opera House Belfast

Belfast's grand Victorian theatre — big family musicals, panto and behind-the-scenes tours.

5 photos
OpenBox office Mon–Sat 10am–5pm; performance…
TicketedBook ahead
BelfastTheatre & gallery
Get directionsOfficial website
2–3 hoursHow long
TicketedAdmission
All agesBest for
On siteCafé
On siteParking

Grand Opera House Belfast — Belfast's grand Victorian theatre — big family musicals, panto and behind-the-scenes tours.

  • Admission: No free entry — it's a ticketed theatre.
  • Tickets: Per show; book online, by phone (028 9024 1919) or in person. A per-ticket booking fee applies to online/phone bookings — check current prices on their listings.
  • For families: Touring family shows and children's productions year-round, with a major pantomime at Christmas; relaxed, signed, captioned and audio-described performances feature across the programme.
  • Opening: Box office Mon–Sat 10am–5pm; performance times vary by show.
  • Café: Bars inside for drinks and interval treats.
  • Best for: Primary-age and up for most shows; dedicated family productions suit younger children — check each show's recommended age.
Plan your visit

What's on for families

The programme changes through the year, but families are well looked after. Expect touring children's shows, big-name family musicals in the school holidays, and a major pantomime over the festive season. The venue also runs accessible performances across its programme — signed, captioned, audio-described and relaxed shows — so check the listings if you need a relaxed or autism-friendly performance. Ages vary by show: dedicated family productions suit younger children, while the bigger musicals tend to land best with primary-age kids and up. Always check the recommended age on each show before you book.

Ticketed shows Family productions Christmas panto City centre Theatre tours Book ahead
Good to know before you go:

Venues like this run year-round seasons of theatre, musicals, family shows and accessible performances, with a big pantomime each Christmas. Programmes and prices change, so check their own listings for dates, recommended ages and relaxed-performance details.

Before you set off

What to bring

  • 🎟️Your bookingShows and big exhibitions sell out — book ahead where you can.
  • 💷A bit of pocket moneyFor the café, the shop or a show programme.
  • 🧒An eye on the age guidanceSome shows and galleries suit certain ages best — check first.
  • 📱The what’s-on pageThe programme changes all the time — see what is on the day you go.
Good to know

Everything before you go

Admission
No free entry — it's a ticketed theatre
Tickets
Per show; book online, by phone (028 9024 1919) or in person. A per-ticket booking fee applies to online/phone bookings — check current prices on their listings
Family programming
Touring family shows and children's productions year-round, with a major pantomime at Christmas; relaxed, signed, captioned and audio-described performances feature across the programme
Best for ages
Primary-age and up for most shows; dedicated family productions suit younger children — check each show's recommended age
Opening
Box office Mon–Sat 10am–5pm; performance times vary by show
Cafe
Bars inside for drinks and interval treats
Toilets
Yes, inside the theatre
Parking
No on-site car park; use city-centre car parks nearby
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible except upper balconies; accessible performances (signed, captioned, audio-described, relaxed) across the programme
How long to allow
Around 2–3 hours for a show, plus interval; tours run separately
Address
2–4 Great Victoria Street, Belfast, BT2 7HR
Questions

Before you go

Is it free to get in?
No free entry — it's a ticketed theatre
How do I get tickets?
Per show; book online, by phone (028 9024 1919) or in person. A per-ticket booking fee applies to online/phone bookings — check current prices on their listings
Is there anything for kids?
Touring family shows and children's productions year-round, with a major pantomime at Christmas; relaxed, signed, captioned and audio-described performances feature across the programme
When is it open?
Box office Mon–Sat 10am–5pm; performance times vary by show
Is there a café?
Bars inside for drinks and interval treats
Getting there

Grand Opera House Belfast is at 2–4 Great Victoria Street, Belfast, BT2 7HR. No on-site car park; use city-centre car parks nearby. Tap below for directions.

Directions on Google MapsOfficial website See it on our map
Nearby

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The story

About the venue

The Grand Opera House opened in 1895 and was designed by the celebrated theatre architect Frank Matcham. It's the only surviving Victorian theatre in Northern Ireland, known for its ornate, gilded auditorium and red velvet seating.

The building has been carefully restored over the years with support from funders including the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Department for Communities. More than 130 years on, it remains Belfast's premier theatre.

Today it's run by the Grand Opera House Trust, a registered charity, presenting drama, dance, opera, comedy, musicals and family productions, and offering guided tours behind the scenes.