BIAF Unveils 2026 Programme
From world premieres and acclaimed international musicians to bold new voices and an all-new strand of immersive arts programming, Belfast International Arts Festival returns from 14 October to 8 November for its 64th edition with an ambitious programme that will animate more than 30 venues across the city.
A truly international affair, this year’s programme will welcome artists from 19 countries, alongside an exceptional range of work created here in Northern Ireland by new and established voices.
The festival’s new immersive arts strand takes form as a takeover of Studio Ulster. Highlights include Lost Communications: Underwater, a psychedelic audiovisual descent into a world that is simultaneously alien and home, and TAKKUUK, an extraordinary immersive journey into the Arctic, with infrared cinematography and a hypnotic BICEP score.
Rory Friers, the festival’s 2026 artist-in-residence, presents an immersive installation, HOME, with a scrapbook of voice, memories and shared experiences of residents and staff at Glendun care home in Cushendun. Friers will also create an ambitious one-night only performance at The MAC alongside award-winning composer and pianist Michael Keeney, Arco String Quartet, and a variety of special guests.
As a UNESCO City of Music, Belfast provides the backdrop for an exciting and wide-ranging music programme spanning continents and genres. The festival opens with the legendary Orchestra Baobab from Senegal, Radiohead guitarist Ed O’Brien presents An Evening With… Blue Morpho and Norwegian violinist Henning Kraggerud, one of Europe’s most distinguished musicians, makes his festival debut. The Ulster Orchestra, under the baton of Chief Conductor Anna Handler, marks the 200th anniversary of Beethoven’s death with a performance of his Seventh Symphony.
Theatre and dance remain at the heart of the festival, with several productions forming part of the Lyric Theatre’s 75th anniversary celebrations. Highlights include the Lyric’s own production of Brian Friel’s Faith Healer, starring Conleth Hill, and Darren Jackson’s Wedding, an immersive theatrical experience by Big Telly Theatre Company that invites audiences to attend a wedding service at St Bartholomew’s Church, Stranmillis, before joining the reception at the Lyric.
Across the city, the programme continues with outstanding theatre in a range of venues. The MAC welcomes Belgium’s internationally acclaimed Ontroerend Goed with Thanks for Being Here, a playful celebration of live theatre’s most essential ingredient – its audience. Cahoots’ The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, fresh from a five-star review in The Guardian, brings together puppetry and theatrical magic in an enchanting adventure for the whole family at Cityside.
Our Voice Together Now, the unique international dance exchange between Belfast, Cairo, and Palestine, funded by a British Council International Collaboration Award, continues this year with a double bill by choreographers Michael McEvoy with Tá Brón Orm, and Shaymaa Shoukry with The Light Within. The festival’s Theatre and Dance strand culminates with the world premiere of Nōs, by Luail – Ireland’s National Dance Company, a landmark triple bill of defining contemporary dance works by choreographers Akram Khan, Liz Roche and Belfast’s own Oona Doherty.
The Talks & Ideas strand welcomes a wide range of writers, artists and broadcasters. Simon Mayo, a familiar voice to generations of listeners, celebrates more than four decades on air and multi-Booker nominated author Sebastian Barry joins the festival to discuss The Newer World, a novel about one man’s life in the aftermath of the American civil war.
The visual arts strand stretches across the city with exhibitions at Craft NI, Naughton Gallery, Golden Thread Gallery, Queen Street Studios, and the Royal Ulster Academy’s Annual Exhibition at Ulster Museum.
Speaking of his first year as Artistic Director and CEO, Chris McCreery said, “It is a tremendous honour to present my first programme as Artistic Director. For more than six decades, this unique festival has been an enduring part of Belfast’s cultural life, bringing extraordinary international artists, ideas and audiences together and it is a privilege to now play a part in shaping its next chapter.
“This year’s programme is a real celebration of global creativity with artists from around the world, as well as our International Showcase, giving cultural leaders the opportunity to forge new international connections with our artists and companies.
“We hope this programme encourages the discovery of new artists and a celebration of the remarkable creativity that continues to make this city such a vibrant place to live and create.”
Now in its third year, Belfast International Arts Festival’s International Showcase welcomes cultural leaders from more than 30 cities across Europe, North & South America, the Middle East and beyond to experience outstanding work by Northern Ireland’s leading artists and companies. The International Showcase is generously supported by Belfast City Council and Culture Ireland and delivered in partnership with British Council NI and Theatre and Dance NI.
Nora Douds, Chair, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, commented, “As principal funder of Belfast International Arts Festival, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland is proud to welcome the 64th edition, which brings arts from across the world to audiences here, and also showcases incredible art created by artists from NI.
“In addition to the wonderful theatre, dance, visual arts, talks and music offerings in the programme, the Arts Council welcomes the festival’s new immersive arts strand. This exciting strand offers an important platform to showcase and celebrate experimental and innovative work, created using new and emerging digital technologies, helping to widen and diversify audiences.
“The festival also ensures that there are free or low-cost opportunities to engage with some of the most thrilling local and international arts, ensuring that more people from all backgrounds can enjoy arts experiences and making this a truly welcoming festival for everyone.
“Belfast International Arts Festival is an extraordinary showcase and meeting place for inspiring new ideas, new experiences and new creativity, and I would encourage everyone to go along and enjoy!”
Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Róis-Máire Donnelly said, “Tá lúchair orm fáilte a chur roimh an chlár úr don Belfast International Arts Festival with artists and audiences from across the world filling 30 venues across this wonderful city.
“Launched in the wake of a phenomenal Fleadh Cheoil, this programme further reinforces Béal Feirste’s reputation as a UNESCO City of Music and a cultural destination.
“It’s exciting to see the festival continuing to evolve, with innovative new experiences, including an immersive arts programme at Studio Ulster, adding another dimension to this year’s line-up alongside a number of productions that will also form part of the historic Lyric Theatre’s 75th anniversary celebrations.
“Tá áit lárnach ann do na healaíona sa chathair seo agus ról níos tábhachtaí fós acu lenár gcathair a cheiliúradh is a lonnadh ar bhonn domhanda – rud atá á dhéanamh leis an fhéile seo agus na feiltí eile le linn na bliana.
“Belfast International Arts Festival is one of our city’s cultural highlights, bringing people together through creativity, inspiring new perspectives and reinforcing Belfast’s reputation as a world-class destination for arts and culture. Guím gach rath oraibh le féile na bliana seo.”