The Belfast International Ballet Festival returns for its third year from 27 July to 1 August, bringing together professional dancers, emerging performers and young ballet students from Northern Ireland and across Europe for a week celebrating the art of ballet.
Supported by Belfast City Council, the festival will conclude with three performances at The MAC, showcasing everyone from aspiring young dancers to internationally recognised professionals.
One of the festival’s defining features is the return of Northern Ireland born dancers who have gone on to train and perform professionally elsewhere. Their return gives the next generation the opportunity to perform alongside established artists while gaining first hand insight into careers in ballet.
The programme opens with The Future of Ballet on 31 July at 7pm, featuring dancers from High Points Youth Ballet alongside young performers from Northern Ireland, Scotland, England and Türkiye. The performance celebrates emerging talent, international friendships and the dedication required to pursue ballet.
Also taking place at The MAC is Ballet Heritage, bringing together dancers of all ages. Adult companies including Second Chance Ballet and Alive Dance will share the stage with High Points Youth Ballet, Scotland’s S MB Company and guest performers from Irish National Youth Ballet, highlighting ballet across different generations.
The festival concludes with the Ballet Gala of Stars, featuring Northern Ireland born professional dancers Luc Burns, Anna McCoy and Amy Crawford alongside international guest artists, students from the festival’s Summer Intensive training programme and visiting dancers from Türkiye.
Running from 27 July to 1 August, the Belfast International Ballet Festival continues to grow as a platform for developing young talent while strengthening connections between Northern Ireland’s dance community and the international ballet world.
