This year will mark the 15th edition of The Festival and audiences are in for a treat with a promising programme of poetry, contemporary fiction, crime writing, the art of journalism, words on film and a striking and a memorable exhibition in The Crescent’s Cafe space.
Belfast Book Festival 2025
Belfast Book Festival 2025 takes place over eight days in June with a vibrant line-up of events and activities for adults and children in the Festival’s Hub – The Crescent Arts Centre.
Belfast Book Festival
Wild Stories: Why Nature Needs you – Ruby Free & Guests
Join for a conversation with Author, Illustrator and Conservation Biologist Ruby Free and leading community activists.
Family Matters: Claire Lynch & Roisín O’Donnell
New from Claire Lynch, A Family Matter is an emotionally charged novel about a mother following her heart,…
Peachicks & Elephants! With Clive McFarland & Ellan Rankin
What is a Peachick? And what if there really was an Elephant in the room? Join 2 fabulous…
Page to Screen: Kathryn Ferguson, Wendy Erskine & Stacey Gregg
How does a short story journey from page to the screen? How does this journey come about, who’s…
Fighting Words NI: Showcase
Join creative writing youth charity Fighting Words NI for this 1-hour showcase of some of the most original,…
Pathways to Publication: Panel Discussions for Writers
Calling all writers - new and seasoned! Join for an afternoon of advice, tips and industry insight.
Speculative Fiction With Rosemary Jenkinson
Join for an engaging, thought-provoking workshop led by Belfast writer and playwright Rosemary Jenkinson.
Short Stories from the North: Martin Doyle, Declan Meade & Tara McEvoy
Join for a lively debate on the past, present and future of the Northern Irish short story, exploring…
Life on the Fringes: Eoin McNamee & Darran Anderson
Don’t miss this genre-bending discussion with two of Ireland’s most exciting writers.
Gráinne O’Hare: Thirst Trap
Join writer Gráinne O’Hare on the publication day of her debut novel, exploring the friendships that endure through…
Sam McAlister & Lucia Osborne-Crowley: Speaking Truth to Power
In conversation with Festival Patron Lucy Caldwell, this is an event not to be missed!
Agatha Christie’s Marple: Mark Aldridge with Jan Carson
Join Mark Aldridge as he discusses his new book Agatha Christie’s Marple: Expert on Wickedness (HarperCollins, 2024) with…
Writing & Animation: Books & Screen
Join two writers and creative practitioners making work for young people - Máire Zephf and Samantha Porciello -…
An Evening with Tessa Hadley: Hosted by Lucy Caldwell
Join Tessa Hadley and Lucy Caldwell for a conversation about fiction, the writing life and the pleasures of…
1:1 Portfolio Review: Illustration with Anna Morrison
Illustrators and graphic designers - your portfolio is your calling-card!
A Flat Place: Noreen Masud in conversation with Suad Aldarra
Noreen Masud has always loved flat landscapes, from beaches when the tide is out to drained farmland and…
Rethinking the Swinging Sixties with Peter Doggett
The 1960s have passed into popular legend as the era of creative freedom and sexual liberation.
Hidden Depths: Writing Male Characters with Garrett Carr & Michael Pedersen
Novelists Garrett Carr and Michael Pedersen both have a gift for writing about men.
The Literary Legacy of Edna O’Brien
Leading authors and filmmakers discuss their favourite Edna O’Brien books at this special event at Belfast Book Festival.
Robert Fisk: Reporting from the Frontline – Nelofer Pazira-Fisk
Join award-winning journalist and filmmaker Nelofer Pazira-Fisk to discuss the legacy of her late husband Robert Fisk, a…
Mind Your Language! Jan Carson & Clara Ministral in Conversation
Writers and their translators often work closely together to bring about the finest possible translations.
Over the Top Under the Radar: Gary Younge & Carys Afoko
Award-winning journalist Gary Younge and communications guru Carys Afoko discuss their trailblazing podcast, Over The Top Under The…
Priya Mistry & the Lost Treasure with Babita Sharma
Priya is back! She’s Mistry by name, and mysteries are her game . . .
Roddy Doyle: In conversation with Glenn Patterson
Roddy will be in conversation with Glenn Patterson on the life of the ever-memorable character, and no doubt…
Unconscious Bias With Livingstone Thompson
In this session, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of what unconscious bias means for you, and for those…
Irish Writers Centre Showcase: Young Writer Delegates & New Voices: North 2025
Shining a light on exciting new talent, this special event hosted by Chris Wright features readings by awardees…
Seeing the World as a Writer With Eoin McNamee
Writing reflects how you see the world.
Book Cover Design with Anna Morrison
Are you interested in translating the inner world of books into captivating book covers?
Managing Your Creative Collaborations: Society of Authors
Join two expert advisors from the Society of Authors, Elizabeth Haylett Clark (Senior Contracts Advisor) and Elsa Woodmeade…
Belfast Book Festival
The 15th edition of the Belfast Book Festival will return 5-12 June.
Write So! with The Stinging Fly
Bring your laptop, notepad and creativity to this immersive writing experience with The Stinging Fly.
Kristian Nairn: Beyond the Throne
Beyond the Throne is the first memoir to share behind‑the‑scenes stories of Game of Thrones, from actor Kristian…
When Circus Came to Belfast! A Storytelling & Circus Skills Workshop
They start the weekend of Belfast Book Festival with activities for young people!
Craving Connection: John Patrick McHugh & Thomas Morris
Two literary stars discuss fiction, self-discovery and the search for connection.
An evening with the Seamus Heaney Centre Fellows
Join this year’s fellows from the Seamus Heaney Centre at Queen’s University in conversation with the Centre’s Director…
Wendy Erskine: The Benefactors
Join to celebrate Wendy Erskine’s debut novel at this conversation with Belfast Book Festival Patron Lucy Caldwell.
How to Raise a Viking with Helen Russell
After a decade living in Denmark and raising a family, British journalist Helen Russell noticed that Nordic children…
The Brighton Bomb: Narrative Approaches
Join for a discussion about different narrative approaches to the 1984 Brighton bombing, the biggest assault on a…
Page-turning Thrillers: Andrea Carter & Brian McGilloway
Immerse yourself in this conversation with two of Ireland’s finest crime writers, discussing their latest books with novelist…
Irish Writers Centre: Information Session
The Irish Writers Centre is the leading development and resource organisation for writers.
Poetry Slam!
Poetry NI presents the Belfast Book Festival Slam 2025!
Macha Press: Experimental Poetry – Sam Furlong & Susanna Galbraith
Recently founded by seven poets based on the island of Ireland, Macha Press is dedicated to work that…
The Crescent Writers Read
Come along and hear a selection of the amazing range of work that participants produce throughout the year…
Reframing Ekphrasis with Padraig Regan
Ekphrasis is the vivid description of artworks through words.
Belfast Zine Fair In partnership with Paperxclips
Grab your scissors and a sheet of A4: Belfast Zine Fair is back for an afternoon of swapping,…
Editing & Revising Short Stories with Thomas Morris
Do you feel like there's a gap between what you're capable of achieving as a writer and what…
Writing Belfast: Stories of a Changing City – Paul McVeigh
Written with Paul McVeigh’s characteristic flair and Belfast wit, I Hear You (Salt, 2025) is a vibrant collection…
The Stories We Tell: Kathryn Scanlan & Wendy Erskine
Join for an illuminating conversation on how different stories are shaped and formed, hosted by Declan Meade, founding…
Time to Thrive with Ross White
With burnout and disillusionment on the rise, how do we succeed and feel well at the same time?
Starting your Substack newsletter with Seán Óg Ó Murchú
In this workshop Seán will share his approach to building a profile and generating work.
Supertato Silliness with Paul Linnet
Join Paul Linnet, co-creator of the bestselling Supertato picture books, in a riotous celebration of everyone’s favourite supermarket…
A Special Event with Oliver Jeffers
Join multi-award-winning picture book creator Oliver Jeffers for a special event at Belfast Book Festival, for children and…
Writing for Our Times: Hannah Lavery, Wayne Miller & Róisín Lanigan
Join for a conversation on the power of writing in turbulent times.
Beatlemania: The Best Books About The Beatles
More books have been written about the Beatles than any other performers in entertainment history.
An Evening with Eimear McBride
Described by Anne Enright as “the natural heir to Joyce and Beckett”, Eimear is known for her virtuosic,…
Rhythm & Rhyme With Libraries NI
Rhythm and Rhyme introduces children aged 0-4yrs to nursery rhymes, actions and music interaction.
Poet in Residence, Niamh Twomey, Presents
Join for an event presented by Belfast Book Festival’s Poet in Residence, Niamh Twomey.
Harbour Doubts: Hands-On! Bebe Ashley & Anthony Sinclair
Join Bebe Ashley for a special preview of her second poetry collection Harbour Doubts.
Reading Elizabeth Bowen with Tessa Hadley
Join the award-winning author of The Party and Late in the Day for this close reading seminar on…
