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

A Prime Cut and Lyric Theatre Production
Date
Wed 6 - Sat 23 October (Previews 2-5 Oct)
Time
7.30pm / Matinee Sat & Sun 2.30pm
Theatre & Dance
Opening Event
Hunter Filmed Web

Hunter Filmed

Oona Doherty
Date
9 October - 7 November 2021
8:30pm
Theatre & Dance
Free
Epilogue

Epilogue

Eileen McClory & Maiden Voyage Dance
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

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

Meg Mason & Laura Jean McKay

In association with British Council and UK Australia Season of Culture
Date
12 October - 7 November 2021
Time
7.00pm (12 Oct) / On demand thereafter
Talks & Ideas
Digital Pass
Uncle Ray Web

Uncle Ray

By David Bolger | CoisCéim Dance Theatre
Date
13 October - 14 October 2021
7:45pm
Theatre & Dance
IN-visible ID-entities 3
NI Premiere
New Playwrights Web

New Playwrights Showcase

Lyric Theatre
Date
Friday 15, Saturday 16, Friday 22 & Saturday 23 October
7:00pm
Theatre & Dance
World Premiere
Sea Sick Web

Sea Sick

The Theatre Centre
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
Roll Up Roll Up Web (1)

Roll Up, Roll Up

Simple Cypher
Date
16 October - 17 October 2021
Time
1.30pm & 3.30pm
Outdoor
Free
Routine Web

Routine

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