Belfast International Arts Festival 2025
It's the 2025 Belfast International Arts Festival. At The Harrison, we cannot wait for what's in store. Here are our top picks.
Our 63rd Festival runs from 15 October – 9 November 2025, spreading contemporary arts and culture across over 30 venues in the city of Belfast, Ireland. Dive into theatre, dance, music, visual arts, film and more—all with tickets available via the box office, tickets office, or online on the website site. visitbelfast.com+3belfastinternationalartsfestival.com+3belfastinternationalartsfestival.com+3
Here are our top picks on what to see this weekend or any day at the grand opera house in Belfast, arts theatre, festival theatre, opera house Belfast, and beyond.
OTTILIE
Venue: The MAC (Music & Theatre)
Dates: 15–24 October 2025, 7:30 pm nightly, Sat matinee
A spellbinding dance-theatre piece blending movement, visual design, and ethereal music. A contemporary arts showcase you won’t want to miss.
Venue: The Black Box (Music Festival stage)
Date: Friday, 17 October 2025, 7 pm
The American folk-blues legend returns, weaving soulful guitar and poetic storytelling—an intimate music concert experience as part of the Belfast International Arts Festival. belfastinternationalartsfestival.com
Venue: Grand Opera House in Belfast
Date: Wednesday, 22 October 2025
Traditional Irish fiddle meets avant-garde jazz—part of the music of festival programme, with roots in contemporary arts and traditional traditions under one roof. belfastinternationalartsfestival.com+4belfastinternationalartsfestival.com+4visitbelfast.com+4
Venue: Lyric Theatre (Arts Theatre)
Dates: 17–19 October 2025
A powerful solo drama exploring courage and reconciliation in the face of personal and institutional trauma—a moving theatre experience for the soul. visitbelfast.com
Venue: Lyric Theatre
Dates: 21–22 October 2025
A daring new piece about AI and improvisation—performed live, unrehearsed by varying actors. Clever, immersive, and utterly contemporary.
🎟️ Box Office & Tickets Office Info
Book online via the Belfast International Arts Festival web site or through Visit Belfast’s box office at 9 Donegall Square North.
Prefer in-person? The tickets office at Visit Belfast Welcome Centre (opposite City Hall) serves you Mon–Sat, 9 am–5:30 pm and Sunday 11 am–4 pm. belfastinternationalartsfestival.com+15belfastinternationalartsfestival.com+15visitbelfast.com+15
Concessions are available via the arts council‑supported community tickets programme. belfastinternationalartsfestival.com+1belfastinternationalartsfestival.com+1
What Else is On
My English Persian Kitchen (Soho Theatre): a heartfelt story on new beginnings, Wed 24–25 Oct at Lyric. visitbelfast.com+2visitbelfast.com+2visitbelfast.com+2
Faust‑ish (Big Telly at Lyric): a wild dive into soul‑selling bargains, 29 Oct – 9 Nov. visitbelfast.com+2visitbelfast.com+2visitbelfast.com+2
And don’t miss the Belfast Photo Festival 2025 running this June—Northern Ireland’s flagship film festival of photography across galleries and public spaces. A perfect mix if you're in town early. visitbelfast.com
Festival Highlights
Expect an explosion of contemporary arts, music festivals, theatre and dance—not to mention food festival pop‑ups, Belfast pubs buzzing, and Belfast food treats.
From performances at the Grand Opera House, to cabaret in arts theatres, and concerts in the Black Box, there's truly things to do for every arts lover in the city of Belfast, Ireland.
Quick Guide – Top Picks
Ottilie (The MAC) - 15–24 Oct
Chris Smither (Black Box) - 17 Oct
Martin Hayes (Grand Opera House) - 22 Oct
Unreconciled (Lyric Theatre) - 17–19 Oct
Whether you're seeking a weekend treat, a festival theatre outing, a music concert, or a deep-dive into thought-provoking shows on at the theatre, the Belfast International Arts Festival 2025 has it all. Visit the website site or tickets office for full listings and grab your tickets from the box office before they're gone!
Bonus tip:
Pair your festival outing with a stroll through Belfast’s historic pubs, sample the best Belfast food, and soak up the cultural buzz in this vibrant city—from the opera house Belfast to hidden arts venues around every corner.
Enjoy all that this weekend festival, flagship city event, and arts spectacle has to offer!
