What are the opening hours?

Monday 9am - 5pm Tuesday 9am - 5pm Wednesday 9am - 5pm Thursday 9am - 5pm Friday 9am - 5pm

Belfast TradFest

Home
United Kingdom
Belfast
Belfast TradFest

Belfast TradFest welcomes world-class traditional musicians to Belfast each July.
(3)

Belfast TradFest is the pinnacle of world class traditional music concerts, fiery pub sessions & the fastest growing summer school of traditional music in Ireland.

26 July - 2 August 2026 Bringing the city to life with traditional music concerts, sessions, ceili’s, talks, masterclasses and free events.

02/06/2026

We can’t wait to welcome Michael McGoldrick and his incredible 12 piece band to Belfast’s Mandela Hall on the 26th July.
It’s going to be a cracker!

01/06/2026

🎻 Belfast TradFest & Fleadh Cheoil Accommodation Combo 2026 🏨

Heading to Belfast this summer for Belfast TradFest Summer School and Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann?

Make the most of both events with our exclusive accommodation combo package, offering reduced rates across either 7 or 14 nights in the heart of Belfast.

📅 Belfast TradFest Summer School: 26 July – 1 August 2026
📅 All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil: 2 – 9 August 2026

✨ Stay for one week or both events
✨ Modern city-centre accommodation
✨ Meet musicians, learners and visitors from around the world
✨ Rates from as low as £24 per person, per night

Whether you’re attending classes, competing, performing, or simply soaking up the atmosphere, secure your stay early and enjoy a fortnight in Ireland’s capital of traditional music and culture.

🔗 Find out more and book: Link in bio 👆

30/05/2026

🎶 WANT THE BEST SEAT IN THE HOUSE? 🎶

We need you!

Volunteer at Belfast TradFest 2026 and experience festival week from the inside!

From welcoming visitors to supporting events, you’ll play a key role in bringing Belfast’s biggest traditional music celebration to life.

🎻 Soak up the atmosphere
👕 Get your TradFest volunteer t-shirt
🤝 Meet fellow music lovers
✨ Gain hands-on festival experience
🎉 Make memories you’ll be talking about long after the last tune

📅 26 July – 2 August
📍 18+ only
🔗 Sign up via the link in comments 👇

A festival this size needs a team. Be part of ours!

Arts Council of Northern Ireland Belfast Music Jobs in Belfast

28/05/2026

🚨 THE FULL BELFAST TRADFEST 2026 LINE-UP IS HERE 🚨

Concerts. Céilís. Festival Clubs.
One unforgettable week of traditional music, song & dance 🎻🔥

From legendary performers to the best emerging talent, Belfast TradFest 2026 is shaping up to be our biggest celebration yet.

🎟 Tickets are ON SALE NOW and they’re moving fast.

Grab yours via the link in bio 👆before they disappear 👀

26/05/2026

It was great to visit Echlinville Distillery today to get a sneak preview of our 2026 TradFest whiskey. Dunville’s will for the third year in a row kindly sponsor our Belfast TradFest session trail.

With over 130 sessions in more than 20 of the finest establishments in Belfast, our session trail will be raising the volume from 26 July - 2 August.

23/05/2026

Get ready for an unforgettable night of extraordinary musicianship and electrifying live energy at Empire Music Hall

Since forming in Dublin in 2011, The Bonny Men have built a formidable reputation as one of Ireland’s most exciting live acts. Made up of seven exceptional musicians — including multiple All-Ireland champions, a World Bodhrán Champion, and a TG4 Young Musician of the Year recipient — they bring a distinctive sound that is powerful, dynamic and deeply rooted in tradition.
Blending original and contemporary folk songs with inventive harmonies and high-energy tune sets, The Bonny Men are known for performances that move effortlessly between intimate moments and full-band intensity. Their live shows are immersive, energetic and unforgettable.

Sharing the bill is Bríd Harper, one of Ireland’s most revered fiddle players, joined by Breton multi-instrumentalist Sylvain Barou and bouzouki player Libby McCrohan. Together, they create a beautifully textured sound that bridges Irish, Breton and wider musical traditions.

📍 Empire Music Hall�📅 Thursday 30 July 2026�🚪 Doors: 7:30pm�🎟 Tickets: £24.50

Don’t miss this incredible celebration of tradition, energy and world-class musicianship.

22/05/2026

We were deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Belfast musician and singer Desi Wilkinson.

Desi took part in our Summer School and Festival in 2023, sharing his music, songs and warmth during the Flutopia and With Pipe and Drum concerts, with all who had the pleasure of meeting him. He was a wonderful contributor to the tradition, a humorous and generous presence within the music community and will be sorely missed.

On behalf of everyone at Belfast TradFest, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Desi’s family, friends and fellow musicians at this difficult time.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

14/05/2026

🔥 JUST ANNOUNCED - 2nd wave🔥

The second wave of tutors for our Summer School of Traditional Music, delivered in partnership with Ulster University, is out now 🎶

An incredible line-up of musicians, singers and tradition bearers joining us in Belfast this summer.

⚠️ Classes are filling up fast
🎻 Don’t miss out
📍 Book now
🔗 Link in comments 👇

More tutors announced soon.

Ulster University Arts Council of Northern Ireland Belfast Music Discover Northern Ireland

13/05/2026

🎶 Join the Belfast TradFest Summer School Team as a Masterclass Assistant! 🎶

Are you a passionate traditional musician or dancer looking to gain hands-on experience in a world-class festival environment?

Belfast TradFest is seeking enthusiastic Masterclass Assistants to support the delivery of our renowned Summer School from 27–31 July 2026.

This opportunity is ideal for early-career musicians, music students, and recent graduates eager to develop their teaching, facilitation and event experience while working alongside some of the most respected names in traditional music and dance.

✨ What’s included:
• Professional development opportunities
• Mentorship from leading tutors
• Free access to selected festival events
• Potential performance opportunities
• Belfast TradFest merch
• Travel and lunch expenses covered

We’re looking for skilled traditional musicians/dancers aged 18+ with a professional, friendly attitude and strong communication skills.

Commitment: 9am–1.30pm, 27–31 July 2026
Apply by, Monday 1 June at 12 noon at the link in the comments below ⬇️

03/05/2026

Dougie MacLean with Ursula Burns at St Patrick's Music Festival 🎵

A special concert with the legendary voice behind the timeless anthem “Caledonia”.

Although written on a beach in Brittany, the song’s earliest performances took place here in NI — shared informally among friends in the maternal home of celebrated Belfast harper Ursula Burns. Decades later, MacLean returned to the city where the song’s journey truly began, singing to audiences alongside Ursula in a rare opportunity to experience his music in a place intimately connected to its history.

One to remember ✨

Photos by Claire Loughran

Address

University Street
Belfast
BT71NH

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Website

http://www.belfasttradfest.com/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Belfast TradFest posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Want your establishment to be the top-listed Arts & Entertainment in Belfast?