Belfast’s festival calendar for 2026 is packed with creative, cultural and community-focused events packed throughout the year. From music and art to science, family fun and street celebrations, here’s your ultimate guide to festivals in Belfast in 2026.

Whether you’re a local looking for what’s on this weekend or planning ahead for the big festivals, our updated guide (February 2026) brings you the best of Belfast’s vibrant events scene.  

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Belfast Festival Highlights 2026

Out to Lunch Festival (9-31 January)

Primarily held in the Cathedral Quarter, with events at venues like The Black Box and the Oh Yeah Music Centre. More here. 

4 Corners Festival (30 January -8 February)

A community-focused festival celebrating the theme of 'Home', featuring music, art, discussions, and workshops aimed at fostering unity and understanding across Belfast's diverse communities. More here.

NI Science Festival (11-22 February)

The NI Science Festival celebrates exploration and discovery, a milestone in the journey to inspire inquisitive minds that has resulted in the festival becoming one of the largest science events in Europe. More here. 

RENDR (12-13 Feb)

RENDR Festival returns to Belfast in 2026 for two nights celebrating creativity and technology across film, TV, gaming, animation and immersive media. More here

Look North (27 Feb - 1 March)

The festival celebrates North Belfast’s rich heritage and its vibrant cultural, creative and literary life. The programme includes talks, walking tours, literary discussions, debates, poetry, music, workshops and exhibitions, showcasing local talent alongside guest contributors from outside the area. More here. 

Brilliant Corners Jazz Festival (27 Feb - 7 March)

Brilliant Corners Jazz Festival returns to Belfast with intimate live jazz performances across the city. Here’s why it remains a standout event in the cultural calendar. More here. 

Belfast Children's Festival (5-14 March)

A dedicated festival for young audiences, featuring theatre, dance, music, and visual arts performances tailored for children and families. More here.

Reach Festival (April)

An arts and sustainability festival at Queen's University Belfast, featuring a four-day program of events exploring the intersection of sustainability and art.Activities include exhibitions, film screenings, creative writing sessions, and academic discussions, all aimed at raising awareness of climate issues.

Incubate Festival (April)

Hosted at The MAC, this one-day festival showcases seven works-in-progress from Northern Ireland’s most exciting theatre makers.The program includes performances, movement classes, and a symposium, providing a platform for emerging talent in the arts.

Belfast Learning Festival (April)

A citywide celebration of learning, offering over 130 free events and exhibitions.The theme for 2025 is "Creating Connections," aiming to foster opportunities for residents to meet new people and discover fresh ideas.Events include workshops, talks, and community activities across various venues.

Festival of Fools (May)

A free, family-friendly street festival featuring circus acts, comedy, and interactive performances throughout Belfast's city centre. More info here. 

Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival (May) 

This festival offers a diverse program of music, comedy, theatre, art, and literature in Belfast's historic Cathedral Quarter. More info here. 

Eclectic Love Festival (May)

An electronic music festival at Custom House Square, featuring renowned DJs such as Sash!, Dave Pearce, and N Trance, offering an unforgettable dance experience.

AVA Festival (29-30 May 2026)

A cutting-edge electronic music festival showcasing artists, along with workshops and industry panels. More here

Belfast Book Festival (June)

Belfast Book Festival, housed all under one roof at The Crescent Arts Centre in Belfast this . This year sees an ambitious celebration of poetry, fiction, crime writing, journalism, screenwriting, a memorable exhibition plus developmental opportunities via a tailored strand of expert-led discussions and workshops.

Belfast City Blues Festival (June) 

Northern Ireland's largest blues festival, featuring over 60 free gigs across various venues in the city, showcasing local and international blues and R&B artists.

Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026 Comes to Belfast | World’s Largest Irish Music Festival (2-9 Aug)

Belfast is preparing to welcome one of the most significant cultural events in the Irish calendar, with Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026 set to take over the city from 2 to 9 August 2026. More here. 

Belfast Mela (August)

Northern Ireland's largest multicultural festival, featuring music, dance, food, and art from around the world, culminating in a vibrant finale at Botanic Gardens.

Féile an Phobail (August)

Ireland's biggest community arts festival, offering over 600 events across more than 50 venues, including music, dance, visual arts, and community activities.

Wellfest (September 2026)

More here. 

Belfast International Arts Festival (October–November)

Northern Ireland's longest-running international arts festival, showcasing contemporary theatre, dance, music, visual arts, literature, and film in over 30 venues across the city.

Plan Your Festival Year in Belfast

Belfast’s festival calendar offers something for everyone from tech and science to music, art, community and family fun. Whether you’re planning ahead or looking for weekend ideas, bookmark this guide to ensure you don’t miss the best of Belfast events in 2026. For individual festival details and tickets, check the official festival links provided above and keep an eye on our Festival Focus category for updates.