Days Out NI
Theatre & gallery Belfast

Lyric Theatre Belfast

NI's only full-time producing theatre, with shows and drama classes for kids by the Lagan.

5 photos
OpenBox office daily from 10am; Tue-Sat to 7p…
TicketedBook ahead
BelfastTheatre & gallery
Get directionsOfficial website
5 hoursHow long
TicketedAdmission
All agesBest for
On siteCafé
FreeParking

Lyric Theatre Belfast — NI's only full-time producing theatre, with shows and drama classes for kids by the Lagan.

  • Admission: Ticketed theatre, not a free walk-in gallery.
  • Tickets: Booked per show through the box office; prices vary by production, check their listings.
  • For families: Annual Christmas family show; Youth Lyric drama classes for ages 4-21 and a summer school; Creative Learning for schools.
  • Opening: Box office daily from 10am; Tue-Sat to 7pm on show days, Sun-Mon to 5pm.
  • Café: Cafe bar inside for pre-show, interval and post-show drinks.
  • Best for: Family shows suit a wide range; Youth Lyric classes run from age 4 to 21.
Plan your visit

What's on for families

The Lyric makes and stages its own work across two spaces: the main auditorium and the smaller, flexible Naughton Studio. Across the year you'll find new drama, touring productions and a family show at Christmas. If your child loves the stage, Youth Lyric runs weekly classes in acting, drama, mime and dance for ages 4 to 21, plus a summer school in Belfast and Antrim. The theatre also works with thousands of schoolchildren through its Creative Learning programme. Programmes change each season, so check their listings for what's running and the right age fit.

Family shows Youth drama classes Cafe bar Christmas show By the Lagan Book ahead
Good to know before you go:

Venues like the Lyric run year-round seasons of theatre and a family show at Christmas, alongside youth drama classes and a summer school. Programmes and prices change each season, so check their own listings for current dates and tickets.

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
Ticketed theatre, not a free walk-in gallery
Tickets
Booked per show through the box office; prices vary by production, check their listings
Family programming
Annual Christmas family show; Youth Lyric drama classes for ages 4-21 and a summer school; Creative Learning for schools
Best for ages
Family shows suit a wide range; Youth Lyric classes run from age 4 to 21
Opening
Box office daily from 10am; Tue-Sat to 7pm on show days, Sun-Mon to 5pm
Cafe
Cafe bar inside for pre-show, interval and post-show drinks
Toilets
Accessible toilets on ground, first and third floors; baby changing on ground floor
Parking
No on-site car park; nearby options include free parking at Stranmillis Road car park and the paid Queen's Sport car park; two extended disabled bays with dropped kerbs outside the front entrance
Accessibility
Step-free Ridgeway Street entrance, lift to all floors, wheelchair spaces; captioned, audio-described and signed performances on selected dates; ear defenders and sensory toys available; assistance dogs welcome with notice
How long to allow
A typical show runs around 2 to 2.5 hours including interval
Address
55 Ridgeway Street, Belfast BT9 5FB
Questions

Before you go

Is it free to get in?
Ticketed theatre, not a free walk-in gallery
How do I get tickets?
Booked per show through the box office; prices vary by production, check their listings
Is there anything for kids?
Annual Christmas family show; Youth Lyric drama classes for ages 4-21 and a summer school; Creative Learning for schools
When is it open?
Box office daily from 10am; Tue-Sat to 7pm on show days, Sun-Mon to 5pm
Is there a café?
Cafe bar inside for pre-show, interval and post-show drinks
Getting there

Lyric Theatre Belfast is at 55 Ridgeway Street, Belfast BT9 5FB. No on-site car park; nearby options include free parking at Stranmillis Road car park and the paid Queen's Sport car park; two extended disabled bays with dropped kerbs outside the front entrance. 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 Lyric began in 1951 as The Lyric Players, founded by Mary O'Malley and her husband Pearse at their home on Derryvolgie Avenue. The theatre moved to Ridgeway Street in 1968, with poet Austin Clarke laying the foundation stone in 1965.

The current building, designed by architects O'Donnell & Tuomey, opened on 1 May 2011. It holds a main auditorium of nearly 400 seats and the flexible Naughton Studio, which seats between 120 and 170, roughly triple the size of the old building.

Actor Liam Neeson, who appeared in a Brian Friel production here in 1976, is the theatre's patron. In 2023 the Lyric reported over 90,000 attendees and engaged around 13,000 schoolchildren through its Creative Learning programme.