Looking for a reason to escape Dublin for a night or two? Belfast International Arts Festival makes a compelling case for a trip north this autumn, with a packed programme of music, theatre, dance, visual art and immersive experiences taking place across the city from 14 October to 8 November.
Now in its 64th year, the festival brings together artists from 19 countries across more than 30 venues, celebrating the creativity of Northern Ireland alongside some of the most exciting names in contemporary arts from around the world. Whether you’re planning a cultural weekend with friends or simply looking for something a little different to do this autumn, there’s plenty to fill an itinerary.
Big names and boundary-pushing sounds
Music is a major draw this year. Ed O’Brien, best known as the guitarist with Radiohead, brings his acclaimed solo album Blue Morpho to the Ulster Hall, while poet and musician Joshua Idehen combines spoken word, soul and electronic music at the Limelight. Glasgow jazz innovator corto.alto also arrives in Belfast, blending live improvisation with hip-hop, electronica and broken beat.
For a more classical experience, the Ulster Orchestra performs Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony, adding another highlight to a programme that reflects Belfast’s standing as a UNESCO City of Music.
Step into another world
For something beyond the traditional concert or gallery visit, the festival’s new immersive arts strand transforms Studio Ulster into a destination for ambitious audiovisual experiences.
Lost Communications: Underwater invites audiences into a psychedelic underwater world that feels at once unfamiliar and strangely recognisable. Meanwhile, TAKKUUK journeys to the Arctic through striking infrared cinematography and a hypnotic score by electronic duo BICEP, created in collaboration with seven Indigenous artists from Greenland and Sápmi.
Both productions offer a different way to experience art, making this a particularly interesting part of the programme for anyone keen to explore the boundaries between technology, sound and visual storytelling.
Theatre with a twist
Belfast’s theatre scene is equally well represented. The Lyric Theatre marks its 75th anniversary with a programme that includes Brian Friel’s Faith Healer, starring Conleth Hill, offering a chance to experience one of Ireland’s most celebrated playwrights in a landmark year for the venue.
For something less conventional, Big Telly Theatre Company’s Darren Jackson’s Wedding invites audiences to become guests at an immersive wedding celebration. The experience begins with a ceremony at St Bartholomew’s Church in Stranmillis before moving to the Lyric for the reception, blurring the line between performance and participation.
Families making the trip can also catch Cahoots’ The Sorcerer’s Apprentice at Cityside, where puppetry and theatrical magic promise an entertaining introduction to the stage for younger audiences.
Dance that connects cultures
Dance takes an international perspective with Our Voice Together Now, a creative exchange linking Belfast, Cairo and Palestine. The programme features a double bill by choreographers Michael McEvoy and Shaymaa Shoukry before culminating in the world premiere of Nōs by Luail, Ireland’s National Dance Company.
This landmark triple bill brings together work by internationally celebrated choreographer Akram Khan, Irish choreographer Liz Roche and Belfast-born Oona Doherty, creating a particularly significant moment for contemporary dance in Ireland.
Ideas, conversations and art around the city
The festival extends well beyond the stage, with a Talks & Ideas programme featuring opportunities to hear from some fascinating voices. Multi-Booker-nominated novelist Sebastian Barry discusses his latest work, The Newer World, while broadcaster Simon Mayo reflects on more than four decades behind the microphone. Bel Trew, the multi-award-winning Chief International Correspondent of The Independent, also brings her frontline reporting experience to Belfast for From The Front Lines.
Art lovers can build their own gallery trail around the city, with exhibitions at Craft NI, Naughton Gallery, Golden Thread Gallery and Queen Street Studios. The Royal Ulster Academy’s Annual Exhibition at Ulster Museum provides another reason to make time for Belfast’s visual arts scene.
An autumn city break with plenty to discover
One of the pleasures of Belfast International Arts Festival is the opportunity to experience the city through its creative spaces, from established cultural institutions to more unexpected venues and immersive settings. With events spread across Belfast, it’s easy to combine a show or exhibition with a wander around the city and a night away from the usual routine.
Whether you’re drawn by live music, adventurous theatre, contemporary dance or thought-provoking conversations, this year’s programme offers plenty of reasons to plan a visit.
The festival runs from 14 October to 8 November.
Explore the full programme and plan your trip at belfastinternationalartsfestival.com
