Belfast International Arts Festival returns with a new season of contemporary arts and cultural events from 12 October – 5 November in over 30 venues across the city, featuring the very best in international and homegrown artists across theatre, dance, music, visual arts, literature and film.
Belfast International Arts Festival
Belfast International Arts Festival returns with a new season of contemporary arts and cultural events from 12 October – 5 November in over 30 venues across the city.
Belfast International Arts Festival Events
K Patrick and Tom Crewe
Join as two exciting novelists discuss their new works centred around LGBTQ+ themes.
Allies & Memory Box - A Double Bill of Contemporary Dance
Green Light Dance Company launches this new double-bill of contemporary dance showcasing the work of two Belfast-based choreographers.
Keina Yoshida
Keina’s book, How Many More Women: The silencing of women by the law and how to stop it,…
FIQ!
Groupe Acrobatique de Tanger bring their phenomenal acrobatic energy to Belfast International Arts Festival with FIQ!
Belfast Punk Music
Learn about the story of punk music in Belfast, a City where punk meant more and is an…
Belfast Blue Plaque Tour
Discover the variety and richness of Belfast’s past citizens and places on this Blue Plaque tour.
Michel Chion – Requiem
This Belfast performance of “Requiem” will be preceded by a special performance by Brian Bridges on a vintage…
BBC Introducing Presents…
BBC Introducing Live at Belfast International Arts Festival presents special performances from rising stars Jordan Adetunji, Lucy Gaffney,…
Drs & Diseases
This Belfast history walking tour gives a broad overview of the city’s medical history.
Royal Belfast
When did a monarch first visit Belfast; who was greeted by ‘Cead Mile Failte’ written on an enormous…
From the Quiet Man to The Quiet Girl – An Irish Film Music
A celebration of Irish film music, and the role played by music in telling the great stories of…
Oidhreacht/Legacy
Winner of an Irish Times Theatre Award in 2023, Aisling Ghéar are bringing an intimate rehearsed reading to…
Elégie | Rachmaninoff – A Heart In Exile
This concert includes many of Rachmaninoff bestloved works for solo piano, including a selection of Preludes, Etudes-Tableaux and…
Kefaya & Elaha Soroor
Driven by a shared desire to use music as a tool for political dialogue and action together they…
Gutter
Experience a mesmerising dance performance that delves into the depths of human nature and society’s insatiable hunger for…
Quirky Tours
Discover the hidden ‘quirky’ gems that you may have walked past many times but never really noticed.
Claire Kilroy and Mike McCormack
Two of Ireland’s most revered contemporary writers join the festival to discuss their latest works.
Ex-Isles ‘Domestic Sacraments’ Album Launch
Ex-Isles is the avant-pop project of composers Pete Devlin and Jamie Thompson (ADJUNCT Ensemble, James Joys).
Breaking Boundaries with Fionnuala Ward & David Zucchi | Northern Lights MiniFest
Come and hear how this virtuosic duo explore the boundary between composer and performer in this one-of-a-kind event.
Xenia Pestova Bennet – All Aglow
Described as ‘a powerhouse of contemporary keyboard repertoire’, Xenia Pestova Bennett has earned an international reputation.
King
King tells the story of Luther, a man from Cork named in honour of his Granny Bee Baw’s…
Belfast International Arts Festival 2023
Belfast International Arts Festival returns with a new season of contemporary arts and cultural events from 12 October…
Paul Charles – Adventures in Wonderland
Adventures in Wonderland is an extraordinary true life story that can change your life – and your perception…
Cáis, Ceol, ‘s Ól Featuring Manouche
A bespoke cultural, culinary evening which includes four dainty, sweet and savoury dishes lovingly prepared by Caifé Ceoil's…
Venous Returns
This short film is a collaborative work initiated by visual artist Alison Lowry, aerial performer Kate Finegan and…
Anti-Slavery Tour
The tour reveals the shameful transatlantic trade and the inspiring role of anti –slavery campaigners who ensured that…
And You Will Stand On Windswept Beaches
This work-in-progress has been developed with Gavin Pedan as part of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland’s Artist…
Seth Lakeman
Westcountry folk singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Seth Lakeman has announced a run of solo shows in Autumn 2023.
AI & Creativity
Join an expert panel as they explore whether AI just gives an illusion of novel thinking or whether…
Teenage Fanclub
Teenage Fanclub will play a headline show at Belfast’s Mandela Hall on Friday 3 November, as part of…
work.txt
work.txt is a show performed entirely by the audience about the gig economy, financial instability and bullsh*t jobs.
John Hewitt Society Birthday Readings
Three critically acclaimed Irish poets will read from recent work to mark the birth date of the celebrated…
The Blended Thread – Belfast Linen History
This walking tour of the city centre will have you looking at the buildings in a new light,…
Across the Atlantic | Northern Lights MiniFest
An evening of virtuosic classical playing combined with traditional Irish flair, creating a new and exciting sound world…
Ulster Orchestra, Acoustronic & Nicholas McCarthy
The Ulster Orchestra joins forces with award-winning inclusive ensemble Acoustronic and BIAF Featured Artist 2023 Nicholas McCarthy.
The Jewish Story
Belfast is a City shaped by many influences and among them is its Jewish population, who have a…
Brass Against
Brass Against is a collective of artists, led and curated by Brad Hammonds, who share in the goal…
Country Roads – An Evening of New Country Music
To celebrate Belfast’s recent designation as a UNESCO City of Music, BIAF is teaming up with Canada’s first…
Cara Dillon – Coming Home
This will be a very special opportunity to experience a revealing and emotive performance by this internationally acclaimed…
Fite Fuaite
Electrifying reggae, ska, and hip-hop performed in Irish by two of Belfast’s most exciting and well-known bands, and…
Squid
The critically-acclaimed Squid return to Belfast in support of their new album, O Monolith.
Jacqueline Crooks and Santanu Bhattacharya
Two of the most exciting debut novelists of 2023 come together to discuss their works and influences.
Rachel Connolly & Nicole Flattery
Belfast writer Rachel Connolly’s Lazy City is an electrifying debut set in Northern Ireland exploring dysfunctional relationships, love…
Mick Herron
Mick Herron, creator of the bestselling Slough House series, joins at the Festival for an in conversation about…
Cultural Leadership with Nicholas McCarthy
A Conversation hosted by Belfast International Arts Festival in association with Theatre and Dance NI.
An Evening With The Belfast Ensemble and Marc Almond
Join The Belfast Ensemble for an unforgettable evening in The Grand Opera House as they share the stage…
Titanic Trail
Follow in the footsteps of Titanic’s builders on this tour of Titanic Quarter, formally known as Queen’s Island,…
Gary Younge – ‘Dispatches from the Diaspora: From Nelson Mandela to Black Lives Matter’
Dispatches from the Diaspora is an unrivalled body of work from a unique perspective that takes you to…
Rear Windows
Join the creative minds of Big Telly for an online Interactive and immersive experience performance based on Alfred…
Megan Nolan & Paul Murray
Megan Nolan & Paul Murray are holding a talk during Belfast International Arts Festival 2023.
Cathedral Quarter Heritage & Music Walking Tour
Come and explore the lively Cathedral Quarter to learn more about the rich history of this oldest part…
The Nightingale Trio | Northern Lights MiniFest
Laura Sinnerton (viola) and Richard Allen (harpist) will be joined by flautist Fiona Slominska to kick off the…
Lay Up Your Ends At 40 : Charabanc & its Legacies: Dr Brenda Winter in conversation with Dr Ali Fitzgibbon
This year (2023) marks 40 years since the premiere of Charabanc Theatre Company’s landmark production Lay Up Your…
Gallery Goes To The Hewitt
Join for an evening of poetry readings with Kevin Graham, Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin and Molly Twomey.
Ellipses : An Anthem To End Wars
An ambitious collaboration of poetry and music Poet Maria McManus and composer Keith Acheson.
Street Statues, Sculptures & Architecture Tour
Enjoy this street statues, sculptures and architecture tour as part of Belfast International Arts Festival 2023.
Declan O’Rourke
Dublin born songwriter Declan O'Rourke will take to the road this October and November, bringing audiences an airing…
The Golden Shovel – Poetry Jukebox Launch
Join BIAF for a special poetry reading and event to launch The Golden Shovel curation of Poetry Jukebox.
