Culture Night at the MAC

Grenfell

Upper Gallery | Free/Booking Essential | Last Screening 8.15pm

In December 2017, artist and filmmaker Steve McQueen (b. 1969, London, UK) made an artwork in response to the fire that took place earlier that year on 14 June at Grenfell Tower, North Kensington, West London. 72 people died in the tragedy. Filming the tower before it was covered with hoarding, McQueen sought to make a record.

Screenings of Grenfell will take place at set times. Doors open fifteen minutes before the screening time. This work is intended to be seen from the start, latecomers cannot be admitted. The film is 24 minutes long.

Book here for Grenfell

The State of Belfast

Tall Gallery | 11am - 10pm

This is an exhibition and discursive forum co-curated and designed by the MAC and our associated partner Participation and Practice of Rights specifically their ongoing campaign Take Back the City. Anchored by "Grenfell" by Steve McQueen, the exhibition opens up vital conversations about systemic injustice, exploring how issues of race, poverty, and inequality exposed by Grenfell are deeply present in Belfast today.

Hearsay at Point Zero

Sunken Gallery | 11am - 10pm

This meditative documentary by Marta Dyczkowska explores life at the heart of Belfast City Centre amid the relentless tides of redevelopment and neoliberal transformation. Framed through the artist’s own journey across the city's Cathedral Quarter, where her studio and everyday life are rooted, the film captures the pulse of Belfast over several months—unfolding a 24-hour cycle that reveals the stark realities often obscured by glossy regeneration campaigns.

Imagination Station – Culture Night Special

The MAC Playroom | Free/Drop-in | 5-7pm

Join us for a free, drop-in workshop led by our talented Children’s Artist in Residence, Rachel Fitzpatrick.

Together, you and your little ones will explore different cultures by creating colourful bunting and mini flags using an array of crafty bits and bobs for sticking, cutting, and decorating. We’ll also be working with linen as a nod to our own rich linen-making heritage.

Come along, get creative, and make something special to celebrate Culture Night!

From Grenfell to Belfast: Race, Poverty, and the Politics of Housing

The Lab | Free/Booking essential | 6.30pm - 8pm | Book Here

The Grenfell Tower fire exposed not only a devastating loss of life but also the deep structural inequalities of race, poverty, and class that shape who gets safe housing- and who doesn’t. This event connects that tragedy to the housing crisis in Belfast, unpacking how systemic neglect, economic injustice, and racial inequality intersect in both contexts. Through critical analysis and lived experiences, we will explore what these parallels reveal about power, accountability, and the urgent need for housing justice.

This event will include an introduction to The State of Belfast, an exhibition exploring housing inequality; a film screening of Seeking Home, about a homeless refugee family, and how precarious their life is; light food by the Kind Economy Chefs; and conversations with anti-racism and housing activists, refugees and filmmakers.

A Night of Arabian Dreams in Belfast

Upstairs Theatre | 7-8pm

A vibrant night of Bellydance in Belfast celebrates cultural fusion through rhythm, movement, and storytelling. Dancers will enchant with shimmering costumes and powerful technique, creating an atmosphere rich in tradition and joy. Audiences are invited into a mesmerizing journey of Middle Eastern dance, unity, and expression in the heart of the city.

Immersif music by SeefinTime

MAC Foyer | 8-10pm

Performance by Belfast based Seefin playing original material from their first album “When the Rain Blows Away” and new music from their upcoming release. Chamber music trio, Seefin blend classical and traditional forms with elements of improvisation. The line up features cello, violin, guitar and vocal to create magical immersive soundscapes inspired by local landscape and tradition.

MAC CaféBar

Our CaféBar will be open until 11pm, with food served until 7pm, so you can enjoy your favourite dishes as the perfect fuel for a night of culture.