Belfast International Arts Festival returned for our 59th edition from 6 October to 7 November with an extensive programme that gave audiences opportunities to both experience live performances again whilst also enjoying a selection of online events at home!

Northern Ireland’s largest contemporary arts festival and cornerstone of the annual cultural calendar, the 2021 edition continued to explore contemporary matters of interest to our audiences such as gender equality, multi-culturalism, representation, the climate crisis, and democracy.

Check out the At a Glance Guide.

You may also want to read our Director’s Introduction to the programme, and foreword by our prinicipal funder Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

This year’s programme was made possible thanks to our principal funder, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and to Belfast City Council, British Council, the Government of Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs, Tourism NI and a range of project funders and sponsors, including Belfast Harbour and the Irish News. Find out more

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BIAF21 Trailer

The Official Launch

What you missed

Border Game Web (1)

The Border Game

Date
Wed 6 - Sat 23 October (Previews 2-5 Oct)
Time
7.30pm / Matinee Sat & Sun 2.30pm
Theatre & Dance
Opening Event
Epilogue

Epilogue

Date
11 October - 13 October 2021
Time
8.00pm (Monday) / 1.00pm & 7.00pm (Tuesday and Wednesday)
Theatre & Dance
UK & Ireland Premiere
Free
Grimm Hotel Web

The Grimm Hotel

Date
12 October - 31 October 2021
Time
Various Times - 5.00 - 8.00pm (Weekdays) / 1.00 - 8.00pm (Weekends)
Theatre & Dance
World Premiere
Uncle Ray Web

Uncle Ray

Date
13 October - 14 October 2021
7:45pm
Theatre & Dance
IN-visible ID-entities 3
NI Premiere
Sea Sick Web

Sea Sick

Date
16 October - 17 October 2021
Time
Saturday 7.45pm | Doors: 7.30pm. Sunday 3.00pm | Doors: 2.45pm
Theatre & Dance
IN-visible ID-entities 3
Routine Web

Routine

Date
16 October - 17 October 2021
Time
2.30pm & 4.30pm
Outdoor
Free