What’s on in the Arts Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann special!

Opening Ceremony, 2 Aug, from 12:30pm

Gig Rig, Belfast City Hall

The opening event at Fleadh 2026 will include a special collaborative performance from host branch, Ards CCÉ, South Asian Dance Academy, Belfast Bands Forum, as well as an array of highland pipers and champion Irish dancers led by Riverdance lead, Lauren Smyth. The impressive outdoor stage will also welcome over 100 children from primary and secondary schools across North Down and Belfast as part of a Schools Choir Project. The energy will surge into the evening with Goitse, Blackwater Céilí Band and legendary accordion virtuoso Sharon Shannon and her Big Band.

Craft NI, 2-9 Aug

Craft NI, 115-119 Royal Avenue, Belfast

Rhythm: for August exhibition, Craft NI invited makers to consider the connections between making and music, for a vibrant exhibition in Craft NI Gallery. See how Northern Ireland's leading craft makers have responded creatively to the musical themes inspired by the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, as harmony, repetition and flow take physical form.

Alongside the exhibition, Craft NI will host instrument making demonstrations including award-winning luthier Kurtis Scott and learn about the material craft behind the musical instrument. Kutis will be working in Craft NI Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of Fleadh week, offering an opportunity to see the craftsmanship and traditional techniques that transform raw materials into finely tuned instruments.

Beat Carnival, 2 Aug, 2-4pm

Flaxx Social Space, Brunswick Street, 10 Exchange Street West, Belfast

Beat Carnival and BEATnDRUM samba band present a blistering show of rhythmical adventures drawing influences from traditional Brazilian carnival music, blended with local flavour and contemporary hits from across the decades, with lyrics in English, Irish and Portuguese. Come see the show, bring your dancing shoes!

Ards CCÉ 50th Anniversary Concert, 3 Aug, 7pm

Ulster Hall, Antrim, Belfast, BT2 7FF

To celebrate 50 years of Ards Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (CCE), this special concert will bring together internationally recognised artists and local talent. Featuring The Priests alongside leading traditional performers, the event will showcase the richness of Irish traditional music, song, and dance through a multi-generational performance.

Children's Trad Trail, 3-7 Aug

Various Locations:

• Monday 3rd- Native, Queen's Quay
• Tuesday 4th- Raidió Fáilte, 30 Divis Street
• Wednesday 5th- Castle Place Tent
• Thursday 6th- Grand Central Station
• Friday 7th- Belfast Barge

Glengormley School of Traditional Music, in association with MayWe and Belfast City Council, are delighted to announce a series of daily children's and family-friendly traditional music sessions in Belfast City Centre during the week of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann. Led by local children and young people, and supervised by experienced musicians and staff from Glengormley School of Traditional Music, each session runs for 2 hours:

● First hour — suitable for beginners and lower intermediate players

● Second hour — suitable for more confident players

Beginners — bring your notes!

Musicians — bring your repertoire!

Outburst Arts - Storytelling evening with Richard O'Leary at The Commons, 4 Aug, 7-9pm

The Commons, 467A Ormeau Road, Belfast

Are storytellers born or nurtured? Or is it a gift from the fairies? When loved ones die, which physical possessions do you hold on to? Which stories will continue to be told and who will tell them? Fourth generation storyteller Richard O'Leary shares his love of stories and the physical objects that embody them.

Won't Be Told by Tumble Circus, 4-5 Aug, 1-5pm

Saltwater Square, Durham Street, Belfast

Ken and Tina from Tumble Circus bring the electrifying show 'Won't Be Told' to Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann fringe – a wild, rebellious circus adventure that celebrates Irish spirit and raw energy. Expect jaw‑dropping acrobatics, crazy juggling and hilarious comedy, all served with fierce attitude and heart. This is a high‑octane, family‑friendly spectacle that refuses to be ordinary – perfect for anyone who loves bold performance and traditional festival vibes.

An Chéad Ghlúin Eile + special guests The Unprepared, 4 Aug, 7:45-10:30pm

The MAC, Downstairs, 10 Exchange Street West, Belfast.

Irish Sean-Nós singing sister duo, ACGE An Chéad Ghlúin Eile, hail from the Gaeltacht (an irish-speaking village). The native Irish speakers won TG4's family talent contest 'Réalta agus Gaolta' in 2019. The sister duo perform traditional Irish & folk songs in harmony all over Ireland and abroad. ACGE's debut album 'Cá'il an Bheirt?' won 'Album of the Year 2025' at the Nós Awards!

Support on the evening will be provided by The Unprepared, an energetic trio centered around Irish and Scottish traditional music.

Golden Thread Gallery, 4-8 Aug, Queen Street, Belfast

Celebrate the spirit of the Fleadh at Golden Thread Gallery through visual art with free creative workshops in the Community Hub, led by the Gallery’s Engagement Team. Enjoy weeklong drop-in activities and bookable hands-on workshops exploring tradition, storytelling, and creativity for all ages. Entry to the gallery is free but some workshops may need to be pre-booked.

A Way with the Fairies, 4 Aug, 11am-12:30pm

Belfast Central Library, Royal Avenue, BT1 1EA

Step into a world of myth, magic and wonder with musicians Anne Harper and Bróna McVittie as they regale you with tales and serenades from Ireland and beyond. McVittie draws upon her recently published folklore anthology featuring legends from the 13th century to the present day. Anne Harper's work explores the forgotten and overlooked, blending historical research with traditional storytelling and musical performance.

Cumann Cultúrtha Mhic Reachtain – Sessions, 3-6 Aug

Caifé Ceoil, Áras Mhic Reachtain, 283 Antrim Road, Belfast

Join the Caife Ceoil Sessions in Áras Mhic Reachtain to celebrate the traditional music of Ireland, thanks to some of the finest musicians Belfast has to offer.

Moving On Music, 6 Aug, 2-7pm

Castle Place Tent, Castle Place, Antrim, Belfast, BT1 1GB

Moving on Music is staging 'Sessions and Tunes', a vibrant traditional‑music showcase inspired by the spirit of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann. Headliners Paddy McKeown, Miadhachlughain O'Donnell and David Lyttle will deliver intimate acoustic sets, Celtic melodies and lively jam sessions that feel like a proper Irish music festival night. The event will also feature surprise guest performers, blending classic Irish tunes with fresh improvisations in a cosy, Fleadh‑style atmosphere.

Beyond Skin - The Persian, Kurdish, Celtic Connection, 6 Aug, 7-9pm

The Duncairn Centre, Antrim, Belfast, BT14 6BP

A concert with musicians from Afghanistan, Iran, Ireland and Syria bringing various traditions together. Spanning from deep historical linguistic roots to vibrant modern cultural collaborations, shared threads binding together the ancient languages and musical traditions from Ireland to Western and Southern Asia.

Ulster Band Showcase by Belfast Bands Forum, 6Aug, 6pm

Titanic Slipways, 1 Olympic Way, Down, Belfast, BT3 9EP

Held in the iconic Titanic Slipways in the heart of Belfast, the Ulster Bands Showcase is presented by Belfast Bands Forum and celebrates the rich and distinct heritage of Northern Irish Unionist and Ulster Scots culture through the living traditions of flute band music, Lambeg drumming, pipe bands and Scottish country dancing. The audience will be taken on a journey – from the deep roots of the tradition, through its living present, to a joyful, shared celebration of what this culture means to those who carry it. This world-class outdoor spectacle is not to be missed.

Paidí agus Fionn & Comórtas na hAoiri, 7 Aug, 12-1pm

Cahoots Theatre Company, Cityside Retail Park, Unit 3 Offices 1st Floor, 100-150 York Street, Belfast.

Join Paddy and his faithful companion Fionn for a fun-filled Irish-language adventure packed with music, laughter, storytelling and audience participation. Perfect for children and families, this lively theatrical experience celebrates Irish culture and folklore in an accessible, engaging and entertaining way, as part of Belfast Fleadh Cheoil.

Tickets £6 - Booking advised

Connections by ArtsEkta, 7 Aug, 7pm

Gig Rig, Belfast City Hall, Donegall Square, Belfast

ArtsEkta's acclaimed intercultural music experience - Connections - will return in 2026 as part of Fleadh Belfast, bringing together an extraordinary collective of musicians from across cultures, traditions and genres in a powerful celebration of musical dialogue and shared identity. Under the musical direction of award winning composer Neil Martin, Connections weaves Irish traditional music with global sounds from across Africa, South Asia, the Middle East, Latin America and beyond — creating a vibrant live experience that reflects the rich cultural diversity of contemporary Belfast.

Open Air Céilí, 8 Aug, 3pm

Gig Rig, Belfast City Hall, Belfast

Join us at the Gig Rig for a lively Open Air Céilí , celebrating the very best of Traditional music, dance and community spirit. Whether you're seasoned dancer or taking your first steps, everyone is welcome to get involved. Enjoy the musicians, energetic Céilí dancing and a fantastic festival atmosphere in the heart of the city. Bring your friends, family and dancing shoes for an unforgettable afternoon of fun, culture and craic!

A Fleadh Farewell: West Belfast Music Trail, 9 Aug, 1pm

An Chultúrlann, 216 Falls Road, Antrim, Belfast, BT12 6AH

After a week filled with music, craic and friendships old and new, we'll bid farewell to Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann with one final musical journey across the city. Beginning in East and West Belfast, musicians and audiences will gather for outdoor sessions before making their way towards the city centre, sharing tunes, stories and memories from an unforgettable week. It's a chance to celebrate the connections made, reflect on a remarkable Fleadh, and send the festival on its way until it returns again in 2027. Slán go fóill, Fleadh 2026.

West Belfast Music Trail begins at Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich, 216 Falls Rd, with various stops, ending at Native Café.

To view the full programme of events visit https://fleadhcheoil.ie/whats-on/