Look North Festival is back from 27 February to 1 March 2026, with a series of lead-in events taking place during the week beforehand. The annual festival shines a light on North Belfast’s history, creativity and community life, bringing together literature, heritage and performance in venues across the area.
The programme blends local voices with guest contributors, offering a mix of talks, guided walks, poetry, music, exhibitions and discussion. It’s a festival rooted in place, shaped by the stories, streets and people of North Belfast.
Highlights this year include a behind-the-scenes tour of Belfast Central Library and its Fine Book Room, a walking tour exploring the lives of Mary Ann McCracken and Martha McTier, and a Belfast Blitz oral history exhibition. There’s also live music and spoken word, including an evening of Bossa Nova Blue with Macha Press poets, a comedy night under the banner Look North Laughs, and Beat Carnival’s Belfast Meets Brazil 2026.
Look North is delivered through a partnership between The John Hewitt Society, the North Belfast Heritage Cluster, Ulster University, Beat Carnival, Cavehill Business Association, The Linen Hall Library, New Lodge Arts and local cultural organisers.
Supported by the National Lottery Community Fund, Belfast City Council’s Community Festivals Fund, Ulster University and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, the festival continues to offer a thoughtful, community-focused addition to Belfast’s cultural calendar.
Full programme details are available via the festival website.
[updated 27 Feb]
