Belfast TradFest returns next month – with world-class concerts, céilís, workshops and more

The streets of Belfast will once again ring out with the sound of fiddles, flutes and late-night sessions as Belfast TradFest returns from July 26 to August 2.

Now in its eighth year, the festival has grown from a modest summer school into one of the largest celebrations of traditional music in Ireland, with more than 30,000 people expected to attend almost 600 events across the city. For one week, UNESCO City of Music Belfast becomes a magnet for musicians, music lovers and curious newcomers alike, with world-class concerts, céilís, workshops and countless opportunities for musical discovery.

The programme begins on Sunday, July 26, with the Titanic Céilí on the historic Slipways where the famous liner first entered the water. That evening, Mandela Hall hosts two major headline events. Cherish the Ladies, one of the most influential Irish-American groups of the last four decades, bring their trademark blend of virtuosity and warmth to Belfast, while later the Michael McGoldrick Big Band make their first Belfast appearance in more than twenty years. Led by the Manchester flute legend, the ensemble promises a thrilling performance that moves effortlessly between tradition, improvisation and innovation.

The opening days of the festival celebrate the depth and diversity of traditional music. Highlights include Flutopia, Na Máistrí hosted by Belfast cellist Neil Martin, Ceol na nGael with Mary Bergin and friends, and Seán Maguire – Ómós, a tribute to one of Ireland’s greatest fiddle players featuring Dezi Donnelly, Nollaig Casey and Seamie O’Dowd. Robbie Hannan takes centre stage in Ceol na bPíob | The Music of the Pipes, while Harps Alive celebrates Ireland’s national instrument with Michael Rooney and friends. Meanwhile, With Pipe & Drum at Parliament Buildings, Stormont, showcases the rich piping and drumming traditions of Northern Ireland.

Barry Kerr

Empire Music Hall hosts two outstanding double bills: Barry Kerr, Pauline Scanlon, Gerry O’Beirne and CUAS on July 29; followed by The Bonny Men, Bríd Harper, Sylvain Barou and Libby McCrohan on July 30. Friday, July 31, sees American supergroup Solas make their long-awaited Belfast return after nearly two decades away. Their reunion has been one of the biggest stories in traditional music, and their appearance promises to be one of the highlights of the summer. Opening the evening are Belfast City Council Gradam Ceoil TG4 2026 bursary recipients Eimear Magee, Peadar Connor and Jack McGoldrick, representing the next generation of exceptional talent emerging from the city’s thriving traditional music scene.

The concert programme reaches its finale on Saturday, August 1, with northern favourites Four Men and a Dog, led by Gino Lupari and Cathal Hayden, followed by Flook at Mandela Hall. Three decades after their formation, Brian Finnegan, Sarah Allen, Ed Boyd and John Joe Kelly continue to set the standard for contemporary traditional music. Opening the evening are An Chéad Ghlúin Eile, Ráth Chairn Gaeltacht sisters Étáin and Máire Ní Churraoin, among the most exciting emerging voices in Irish music.

Cúig

When the concerts finish, Belfast TradFest is only getting started. The Festival Club at The Deer’s Head hosts performances from Chunky Business, Le Chéile, Peter Street and Cúig, alongside late-night Trad Discos blending traditional sounds with global influences. It’s here that musicians, audiences and artists often find themselves sharing the same space long after the headline acts have left the stage.

Away from the headline venues, the Dunville’s Irish Whiskey Session Trail brings the festival into every corner of the city. More than 130 sessions featuring almost 400 musicians will take place across Belfast’s pubs, venues and cultural spaces. For many visitors, these sessions are the beating heart of the festival, where world-class performers swap tunes with local players and some of the week’s most memorable moments happen entirely unannounced.

For those keen to get involved, the Summer School offers tuition from many of the world’s leading traditional musicians, attracting students from across Europe, North America and beyond. Whether you’re travelling north for a headline concert, a weekend of sessions or simply to see where the music takes you, Belfast TradFest offers a chance to experience Ireland’s second city at its liveliest. For eight days every summer, Belfast becomes a global centre for traditional music.

• For more information visit belfasttraditionalmusic.com