Remember the magic of Culture Night Belfast? After a five-year absence and a complete reimagining, it’s finally back this September! Get ready for an incredible night with over 100 diverse events, transforming the city with art, music, and performance. What unforgettable moments will you create this year?
After a significant five-year hiatus, Culture Night Belfast is set to make a triumphant return this September, promising a rejuvenated experience for residents and visitors alike. The beloved cultural extravaganza, reimagined and reinvigorated, will feature an impressive lineup of over 100 diverse events stretching across the city, poised to once again transform Belfast into a vibrant hub of artistic expression and community celebration.
The last full-scale iteration of Culture Night in 2019 drew approximately 100,000 attendees, who immersed themselves in the free cultural event concentrated within the city’s historic Cathedral Quarter. Subsequent years saw challenges, including a scaled-back version in 2021 due to Covid-19 restrictions, a deliberate pause in 2022 for a “complete rethink,” and the regrettable withdrawal of funding by the Department for Communities (DfC) in 2023.
This year marks a new chapter, with the event scheduled for Friday, September 19, boasting not only a fresh aesthetic but also a meticulously curated programme. Funding for this year’s much-anticipated return is primarily provided by the Department for Communities (DfC), supplemented by crucial additional support from the Linen Quarter and Belfast’s Business Improvement Districts (BIDs). The intricate programming and seamless delivery are being managed by MayWe and DaisyChain Inc, having been collaboratively designed with the city’s creative community through an open call process.
The result is an expansive programme featuring more than 100 events, including captivating happenings, interactive workshops, dynamic performances, and thought-provoking exhibitions. These activities will extend into every corner of Belfast, from the city centre to local neighbourhoods, ensuring a truly inclusive cultural experience. Highlights include the unexpected thrill of Titanic wrestling at an undisclosed venue, the mesmerizing Firepoise fire and light show illuminating CS Lewis Square, an enchanting Oíche Chultúir rooftop concert at An Chultúrlann, a lively family roller disco at Shaftesbury Recreation Centre, and even live oil paintings capturing the essence of commuters traversing York Street Station, all contributing to the rich tapestry of Belfast culture.
Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Tracy Kelly, expressed the council’s profound delight in supporting this new beginning for Culture Night. Emphasizing the invaluable contribution of the arts to urban life, she highlighted its role not merely in safeguarding jobs and stimulating economic growth, but critically, in fostering vibrancy, drawing people into the city centre and local communities, advocating for creative expression, and exploring the city’s profound diversity and shared heritage. The focus on families and venue-based city events this year aims to sow the seeds for the event’s sustained growth, offering both an exceptional night out and a vital platform for the arts sector to exhibit its talents.
Lois Kennedy, Event Director at MayWe, characterized the return of Culture Night as a pivotal moment for Belfast’s creative landscape. She underscored the immense pride and excitement within the arts sector for this opportunity to reignite the “Culture Night flame” in the city, thanks to the council’s unwavering support. Kennedy articulated that this is “a new Culture Night Belfast for a new era – reimagined and reinvigorated, artist-led and venue-driven,” affirming that the enduring spirit and communal sense of “Belfast is class” remains steadfast. She extended a warm welcome to both returning veterans and first-timers, promising an unforgettable experience.
This grand revival contrasts sharply with the situation last September, when an “Alternative Culture Night” provided free entertainment in Belfast bars in the absence of an official event. This year, however, the official arts festival returns with full force, boasting dozens of participating venues, alongside robust support from the city’s three BIDs – Linen Quarter, Cathedral Quarter, and Belfast One – as well as independent event and hospitality providers, historic heritage buildings, and council venues like City Hall and 2 Royal Avenue. This collective effort promises a genuinely comprehensive community celebration.
To facilitate seamless participation in this extensive programme, a full timetable of activities is readily available online. Visitors are also encouraged to follow the new Culture Night Belfast social media channels on Facebook (@culturenightbel) and Instagram (@culturenightbelfast) for the latest updates. Dedicated Culture Night ‘Hubs’ offering quiet spaces will be located at 2 Royal Avenue and The MAC, with additional serene areas at Belfast Waterfront and Commission House. Accessibility information for all participating venues can be found online, and attendees are encouraged to utilize Belfast Bikes or Translink Metro/Glider services for convenient travel, enhancing the appeal for Northern Ireland tourism.
