Belfast International Arts Festival – Northern Ireland 2025

Background & History

The Belfast International Arts Festival, established in 1962, is Northern Ireland’s longest-running international arts event, marking its 63rd edition in 2025. Originally hosted by Queen’s University until 2015, it is now managed by an independent charity, delivering a progressive vision of contemporary arts. Running from 14 October to 9 November 2025, the festival transforms Belfast with theatre, dance, music, visual arts, literature, and film across over 30 venues.

Featuring artists like Martin Hayes, Lisa O’Neill, and The Orb, it emphasises global connections and local talent, with free and ticketed events supported by Belfast City Council and community initiatives.

Event Highlights

• Music Performances: Lisa O’Neill (The MAC, 17–18 October, ~$20–$35 USD), Martin Hayes (Grand Opera House, 20 October, ~$25–$40 USD), The Orb (TBD venue, ~$20–$35 USD).
• Theatre: Faust-ish by Big Telly Theatre Company (Lyric Theatre, 29 October–9 November, ~$15–$30 USD).
• Visual Arts: Exhibitions (e.g., Ulster University’s 175th anniversary, Ulster Museum, 14 October–9 November, free).
• Literary Events: Talks with Elaine Feeney and Ali Watkins (Crescent Arts Centre, 20 October, ~$10–$20 USD or free).
• Workshops: Free or low-cost creative writing and dance workshops (e.g., St Comgall’s, 15–30 October, ~$0–$10 USD).
• Cultural Tours: Walking tours exploring Belfast’s history (Belfast City Hall, 14 October–9 November, free or ~$10 USD).

City

• Belfast, Northern Ireland: A vibrant UNESCO City of Music known for its Cathedral Quarter, historic Grand Opera House, and cultural diversity.

Main Event Address

• Primary Venues:
  • Grand Opera House: Great Victoria Street, Belfast, BT2 7HR (music, theatre).
  • The MAC: 10 Exchange Street West, Belfast, BT1 2NJ (music, dance).
  • Lyric Theatre: 55 Ridgeway Street, Belfast, BT9 5FB (theatre).
  • Ulster Museum: Botanic Gardens, Belfast, BT9 5AB (visual arts, free).
  • Crescent Arts Centre: 2-4 University Road, Belfast, BT7 1NH (literary events).
• Box Office: Visit Belfast, 9 Donegall Square North, Belfast, BT1 5GJ.
• Administrative Contact: Belfast International Arts Festival, c/o 7 Donegall Street Place, Belfast, BT1 2FN (inquiries only).
• Note: Additional venues (e.g., Belfast City Hall, Black Box) TBD August 2025 at www.belfastinternationalartsfestival.com.

Date & Duration

• Dates: 14 October–9 November 2025.
• Duration: 27 days.
• Opening Times (Estimated):
  • Weekdays: 10:00 AM–10:00 PM (exhibitions, evening performances).
  • Weekends: 10:00 AM–11:00 PM (tours, concerts).
• Note: Times vary by event; confirm at www.belfastinternationalartsfestival.com.

Venue / Location

• Grand Opera House: Historic theatre, ~1,000 seats, accessible.
• The MAC: Modern cultural hub, ~350 seats, accessible.
• Lyric Theatre: Intimate theatre, ~400 seats, accessible.
• Ulster Museum: Free exhibitions, wheelchair-accessible.
• Crescent Arts Centre: Community venue for talks, ~150 seats.
• Additional Venues: Black Box (fringe performances), Belfast City Hall (tours), CS Lewis Square (free events).
• Note: Full venue list TBD August 2025 at www.belfastinternationalartsfestival.com.

Contact Information

• Email: enquiries@belfastinternationalartsfestival.com (general inquiries); ticketing@visitbelfast.com (box office).
• Phone: +44 28 9033 2261 (general); +44 28 9024 6609 (ticketing, Visit Belfast).
• Website: www.belfastinternationalartsfestival.com
• Social Media: Follow @BelfastIntArts on Facebook, Instagram, X.
• Ticketing: Purchase via www.belfastinternationalartsfestival.com or Visit Belfast (August 2025). Contact ticketing@visitbelfast.com for group bookings or accessibility.

Ticket Information

• How to Purchase: Buy online at www.belfastinternationalartsfestival.com (August 2025) or via Visit Belfast (www.visitbelfast.com, +44 28 9024 6609). Collect at venue box offices (e.g., Grand Opera House) with confirmation. In-person purchase at Visit Belfast, 9 Donegall Square North (cash/card). Group bookings and accessibility via ticketing@visitbelfast.com. Cancellations until 30 September 2025 (~$3 fee). No refunds after 30 September. Book early for headline acts (e.g., Lisa O’Neill, Martin Hayes).
• 2025 Pricing (Estimated, in USD, 1 GBP ≈ 1.25 USD as of August 2025):
  • Music & Theatre Performances: £15–£35 (~$18.75–$43.75 USD, e.g., Grand Opera House, The MAC).
  • Literary Events: £8–£20 (~$10–$25 USD, e.g., Crescent Arts Centre) or free for select talks.
  • Workshops & Tours: Free or £5–£15 (~$6.25–$18.75 USD, e.g., St Comgall’s, Belfast City Hall).
  • Free Events: Visual arts (e.g., Ulster Museum), community workshops, and outdoor performances (e.g., CS Lewis Square).
  • Concession/Student: £2–£5 (~$2.50–$6.25 USD) discount for students, under 16s, over 60s, unemployed, disabled (ID required).
  • Community Tickets: Free or reduced for eligible groups; apply via enquiries@belfastinternationalartsfestival.com.
  • Booking Fees: ~$1–$3 USD per ticket.
• Additional Notes:
  • Prices estimated based on web reports (e.g., £26–£40 cited on Reddit, 2024 patterns) and similar festivals.
  • Free events (e.g., exhibitions, community workshops) supported by Belfast City Council and Arts Council.
  • Full pricing TBD August 2025 at www.belfastinternationalartsfestival.com.

Categories

• Cultural & Traditional: Showcases Northern Ireland’s contemporary arts and heritage.
• Events & Festivals: 27-day multidisciplinary arts festival.
• Film, Literature & Book Fairs: Features literary talks and film screenings.

Cultural Significance

Since 1962, the Belfast International Arts Festival has been a cornerstone of Northern Ireland’s cultural landscape, fostering global and local artistic exchange. It’s the 2025 edition, with over 30 venues, highlights Belfast’s UNESCO City of Music status and supports emerging artists through its Embrace programme. Free events and community tickets ensure accessibility, while headline performances boost tourism, contributing significantly to Belfast’s economy.

Food & Drinks

• Festival Venues: Snacks and drinks at Grand Opera House, The MAC (~$5–$15 USD).
• Nearby Dining:
  • Bittle’s Bar: Hill Street, Belfast (pub fare, $10–$20 USD, 5-minute walk from The MAC).
  • The Dirty Onion: Hill Street, Belfast (Irish cuisine, $10–$25 USD, 5-minute walk from The MAC).
  • Coppi: St Anne’s Square, Belfast (Italian, $15–$30 USD, 5-minute walk from The MAC).
  • Hadskis: Donegall Street, Belfast (modern European, $15–$35 USD, 5-minute walk from The MAC).
• Alcohol Policy: Available at venues and nearby pubs; no outside alcohol permitted.

Family & Accessibility

• Family-Friendly:
  • Free events (e.g., visual arts, CS Lewis Square performances) suitable for all ages with supervision.
  • Ticketed events (e.g., concerts, theatre) may be 16+ due to themes or alcohol.
• Accessibility:
  • Grand Opera House, The MAC, Lyric Theatre, and Ulster Museum are wheelchair-accessible with ramps.
  • Contact ticketing@visitbelfast.com for accommodations or ISL events (details August 2025).
  • Community Tickets scheme enhances affordability for underserved groups.

Getting There

• By Air: Belfast International Airport (BFS, 25 km, 30-minute drive) or George Best Belfast City Airport (BHD, 5 km, 10-minute drive).
• Public Transport:
  • Bus: Translink Metro to Belfast City Centre (5-minute walk to venues).
  • Train: Translink to Belfast Lanyon Place (10-minute walk to venues).
• By Car: Paid parking at Donegall Square North (~$1.25 USD/hour, 5-minute walk to Grand Opera House).
• Rideshare: Uber or Value Cabs from BFS (~$30–$50 USD).

Program Details (Estimated for 2025)

• Confirmed Events:
  • Lisa O’Neill: 17–18 October, The MAC, ~$20–$35 USD.
  • Martin Hayes: 20 October, Grand Opera House, ~$25–$40 USD.
  • Faust-ish: 29 October–9 November, Lyric Theatre, ~$15–$30 USD.
  • Visual Arts Exhibitions: 14 October–9 November, Ulster Museum, free.
• Hypothetical Events:
  • Literary Talks: 14 October–9 November, Crescent Arts Centre, ~$10–$25 USD or free.
  • Workshops: 15–30 October, St Comgall’s, free or ~$6.25–$12.50 USD.
  • Cultural Walking Tours: 14 October–9 November, Belfast City Hall, free or ~$10 USD.
• Note: Programme speculative except for confirmed events; full details TBD August 2025 at www.belfastinternationalartsfestival.com.

Past Notable Performances

• 2024 Highlights: The Tragedy of Richard III (Lyric Theatre), The Vanishing Elephant (Cahoots), Les Amazones d’Afrique (Grand Opera House).
• Past Achievements: Hosted global artists like Michael Longley and Naomi Alderman, with the 2024 festival running from 16 October–26 November.

Sustainability Initiatives

• Local Partnerships: Collaborates with Belfast arts organisations (e.g., The MAC, Lyric Theatre).
• Waste Management: Recycling bins at venues; digital programmes encouraged.
• Note: 2025 sustainability details TBD; check www.belfastinternationalartsfestival.com.

Educational Impact

• Workshops: Free or low-cost sessions (e.g., creative writing, dance) at St Comgall’s and Seamus Heaney Centre, 15–30 October.
• Literary Talks: Educational discussions on Irish culture, free or ~$10–$25 USD.
• Community Engagement: The Embrace programme offers free workshops and performances for diverse groups.

Cultural Activities

• Visual Arts: Free exhibitions, 14 October–9 November, Ulster Museum.
• Music & Theatre: Ticketed performances, 14 October–9 November, ~$15–$40 USD.
• Workshops: Free or low-cost creative sessions, 15–30 October.
• Walking Tours: Free or ~$10 USD, exploring Belfast’s cultural heritage, 14 October–9 November.

Travel Tips

• Book Early: Tickets ($15–$40 USD) for headline events sell out; book via www.belfastinternationalartsfestival.com (August 2025).
• Weather Prep: October–November in Belfast (45–55°F) is cool and rainy; pack waterproofs and layers.
• Explore Locally: Visit Titanic Belfast (15-minute drive, $25 USD) or Botanic Gardens (10-minute walk, free).
• Public Transport: Use the Translink Smartlink Card (~$10 USD).
• Festival Info: Digital schedules at www.belfastinternationalartsfestival.com (no app).

Local Attractions

• Titanic Belfast: Donegall Quay (15-minute drive, $25 USD). Maritime museum.
• Botanic Gardens: College Park East (10-minute walk, free). Scenic park.
• St George’s Market: May Street (5-minute walk, free). Historic market.
• Belfast Cathedral: Donegall Street (5-minute walk, $7 USD). Historic site.
• Viking Triangle: Waterford-inspired cultural tours (Belfast City Hall, ~$10 USD).

Accommodation Options

• Hotels:
  • The Merchant Hotel: Skipper Street, Belfast ($150–$300 USD/night, 5-minute walk to The MAC).
  • Europa Hotel: Great Victoria Street, Belfast ($100–$200 USD/night, 5-minute walk to Grand Opera House).
• B&Bs: Tara Lodge, Cromwell Road ($70–$150 USD/night, 10-minute walk to Lyric Theatre).
• Hostels: Belfast International Youth Hostel, Donegall Road ($20–$50 USD/night, 10-minute walk to Crescent Arts Centre).
• Airbnb: Belfast apartments ($50–$120 USD/night).
• Booking Tip: Reserve 3–6 months in advance for the October peak.

Safety & Health Measures

• Medical Support: First aid at major venues; nearest hospital is Royal Victoria Hospital (10-minute drive).
• Security: Garda presence; bag checks at ticketed events.
• Health Protocols: Sanitiser stations; optional masks indoors.
• Weather Preparedness: Indoor venues; umbrellas for outdoor tours