Positive Ageing Month 2026 launches in Belfast with month of activities

Positive Ageing Month has returned to Belfast for October 2026, with a month-long programme of activities, workshops and social events designed to help older people stay active, connected and involved.

Belfast’s Positive Ageing Month 2026 has officially begun, bringing a packed programme of activities and events for older residents across the city.

Running from 1 to 31 October, Positive Ageing Month offers opportunities to get active, meet new people, learn new skills and find out more about services available to older people.

Many activities are free, with events taking place at venues across Belfast and some sessions also available online.

The launch coincides with the International Day of Older Persons on 1 October.

Readers looking for other things happening locally can also browse events across Northern Ireland on Northern Ireland Online.

Positive Ageing Month 2026 in Belfast

Positive Ageing Month highlights the wide variety of activities available to older residents through Belfast City Council, Age Friendly partners and community organisations.

The programme includes:

• Exercise and physical activity sessions
• Coffee mornings and social events
• Technology workshops
• History talks and tours
• Health and wellbeing sessions
• Arts and crafts
• Library activities
• Walking tours
• Information and advice sessions
• Opportunities to try new activities, including circus skills

The programme aims to give older people opportunities to stay connected with their communities while discovering new activities and interests.

For more events and things to do, visit the Northern Ireland Online Events page.

Lord Mayor welcomes Positive Ageing Month

The Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Róis-Máire Donnelly, has welcomed the return of Positive Ageing Month.

Speaking at an event to launch the programme, Councillor Donnelly said:

“I’m so pleased to see Positive Ageing Month return to the city. Belfast recognises the huge value of our older residents – as parents, grandparents, carers, volunteers, leaders, and community workers, they are central to our society and have so much experience and wisdom to share.”

She added:

“Positive Ageing Month helps bring opportunities for connection, friendship, activity, knowledge, skills development and fun to our older residents through a series of events which are largely free and bring people together in every part of the city.”

The Lord Mayor encouraged residents to explore the programme, try something new and meet new people during October.

Belfast’s Age Friendly approach

Belfast has been working to make the city more welcoming and accessible for older residents for more than a decade.

The city’s Age Friendly approach aims to ensure older people can continue to take an active role in their communities and have access to appropriate services, activities and opportunities.

Positive Ageing Month forms part of that wider work by bringing attention to events and services available throughout Belfast.

The programme also showcases activities that continue throughout the year, rather than only during October.

Readers can visit the Northern Ireland Online Belfast page for more local news, events, traffic information, fuel prices and community updates.

Activities taking place throughout October

There is a broad mix of activities planned during Positive Ageing Month.

Residents can take part in regular library events, health and wellness workshops, talks, walking tours, information sessions and arts and crafts.

There are also opportunities to develop digital skills, meet people over coffee and try something completely different.

Some activities are designed around health and physical wellbeing, while others focus on social connection, learning and creativity.

There is even the opportunity to try circus skills.

The variety means residents can choose activities suited to their own interests and ability levels.

Helping older people stay connected

One of the main themes of Positive Ageing Month is social connection.

Coffee mornings, workshops, community activities and group events give residents an opportunity to meet others and take part in activities outside the home.

The initiative also helps highlight organisations and services supporting older people across Belfast throughout the year.

As well as activities organised by the council, Age Friendly partners provide programmes covering health, wellbeing, learning and community involvement.

How to find Positive Ageing Month events

Anyone interested in taking part can view the official programme through Belfast City Council.

Official Positive Ageing Month programme: View the Belfast City Council programme

For other events happening in Belfast and across Northern Ireland, visit:

Northern Ireland Online Events: Browse upcoming events

Explore Belfast: Visit the Northern Ireland Online Belfast page