What's On in the Arts

Festivals

Belfast International Arts Festival (BIAF): The Festival returns for its 64th edition from 14 October – 8 November 2026. With over 200 events across 30 venues, the Festival celebrates the very best in Theatre, Dance, Music, Visual Arts and Literature — alongside, for the first time, their new Immersive Arts strand. Visit https://belfastinternationalar...

Belfast Tradfest and BIAF: present, The Devil’s in the Dance Hall, Thurs 22 Oct, Ulster Hall, Belfast. inspired by the true story of Jimmy Gralton and the suppression of Ireland’s rural dance halls in the early 20th century; a time when gathering to dance, to play music, and to think freely was seen as a threat. This isn’t a sit-down-and-watch kind of night. You’re part of it. Expect swing, trad, foxtrots, sean-nós, set dancing, lindy hop and plenty of scandal. Visit https://belfastinternationalar...

Bounce Arts Festival: returns from 30 Sep – 4 Oct under the theme of ‘Arts and Activism’. Highlights include:

• Echoes of the Self, an exhibition at the MAC by Brain Injury Matters
• 1 Oct, Label Me Live, Joe Kenny with Andrea Begley and Future Her, Black Box
• 2 Oct, The Mighty Pen: Concrete Poetry - Brain Injury Matters, Seamus Heaney Centre at Queens
• 3 Oct, Four Out of Five by Visually Impaired Creators Scotland (VICS), the MAC
• 4 Oct, The Caucasian Chalk Circle by Stage Beyond Theatre Company, the MAC

Visit https://universityofatypical.o...

Belfast Music Society/ Northern Lights Music Fest:

• Bach Unseen with David McCann, Friday 30 October | 7.30pm | Sonic Arts Research Centre (SARC)
• Memento Mori with mezzo-soprano Sarah Richmond and pianist Ian Tindale, Saturday 31 October | 7.30pm | The Harty Room, Queen's University Belfast
• Glass and Beyond with Ruth McGinley, Sunday 1 November | 3.00pm | The Harty Room, Queen's University Belfast

Visit https://www.belfastmusicsociet...

City of Derry International Choir Festival: has unveiled an exciting programme for its 2026 festival, promising four unforgettable days of world-class performances, international competition and the very best of choral music from 22–25 October 2026. Visit www.derrychoirfest.com

University of Atypical: present Sounds Atypical event series. The Sounds Atypical grant programme supports and promotes access to music for artists and audiences who are d/Deaf, disabled or neurodivergent within UNESCO City of Music, Belfast. Upcoming events include:

• Martin Della Vecchia- Still Here, 1 October to Sunday 4 October 2026, UNTOLD: The Museum, 28 Bedford Street, Belfast, BT2 7FE. Duration: 10 minutes, 5:30pm, Screening followed by Q&A, 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm, Screenings every 10 minutes. Date: Friday 2 October to Sunday 4 October 2026, 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm, Screenings every 10 minutes.
• BFrank - Single Album Launch (Featuring Rita Peach, Maiyamoo, and Lee Labaron), 8 October 2026, Oh Yeah Music Centre, 8pm, Tickets: £11.11