11/09/2025

Culture Night Belfast Returns

Culture Night will officially return to Belfast on Friday, 19 September, with a fresh new look and a line-up of over 100 free, family-friendly events.

The celebration, which is the first full event since 2021, will take place at various venues across the city from 4pm to 10pm.

This year's event has been reimagined and is being programmed and delivered by MayWe and DaisyChain Inc via an open call to the city’s artists and creatives. The new model shifts the focus from a single, street-based event to a venue-driven format designed to reach into every corner of Belfast. The programme will feature a diverse array of activities, including Titanic wrestling at Grand Central Station, a fire and light show at CS Lewis Square, and a family roller disco at Shaftesbury Recreation Centre.

Speaking at the programme launch, the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Tracy Kelly, said the council was delighted to support a "new chapter" for the event. She noted that by focusing on families and venue-based events, the city hopes to "plant seeds for the future growth of this event once more, providing not just a great night out, but a vital platform for the arts sector."

The return of Culture Night has also been hailed as a "watershed moment" for the city's creatives by Lois Kennedy, Event Director at MayWe. She added that while the new format is "reimagined and reinvigorated," the "spirit" and "sheer communal sense of 'Belfast is class!'" remains unchanged.

Culture Night is funded by Belfast City Council, with additional support from the Linen Quarter and Cathedral Quarter Business Improvement Districts (BIDs). Special 'Hubs' with quiet spaces will be available at 2 Royal Avenue and The MAC, with additional quiet spaces and Changing Places facilities also located across the city. Visitors are encouraged to use sustainable transport, such as Belfast Bikes or Translink's Metro or Glider services.

The full timetable of activities is available online.

Latest Northern Ireland Features

14 September 2026
Investment In Belfast Urban Garden Delivers Major Benefits
An evaluation of The BUG (Belfast's Urban Garden), completed in partnership with Belfast Healthy Cities, has underlined the case for investing in urban growing projects.
06 September 2026
HMRC App Puts Key Money Moments At Your Fingertips
More than half (56%) of people say they were not ready for life's key financial milestones, while one in four admit they lack basic money knowledge and feel too embarrassed to ask for help, according to new research.
01 September 2026
Culture Night Belfast Returns In 2026 With More Than 200 Free Events
Belfast City Council has confirmed the return of Culture Night Belfast on Friday 18 September 2026, following a landmark summer for the city that included Belfast's first-ever Fleadh Cheoil.
16 August 2026
Kimmins Pledges Further Belfast Pedestrianisation
Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has urged the public to contribute views on expanding pedestrianisation in Belfast city centre, saying now is the ideal moment to get involved.
10 August 2026
Open Letter Thanks Belfast For Hosting Fleadh Cheoil Na HÉireann 2026
Belfast City Council, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann and Ards CCÉ have issued an open letter to thank the city following eight days of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026. In an open letter from the hosts, they wrote: "A leithéid de sheachtain nach raibh feicthe ariamh i mBéal Feirste.
27 July 2026
Translink Issues Travel Advice Ahead Of Fleadh Cheoil Na hÉireann, 2–9 August
Translink is urging anyone travelling into Belfast during Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann (2–9 August) to plan ahead, allow extra time and expect very busy bus and rail services.
20 July 2026
Park And Ride Network To Keep Belfast Moving During Fleadh
Visitors heading to Belfast for this summer's Comhaltas Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann are being urged to plan ahead and use a comprehensive Park and Ride network throughout the eight-day festival.
06 July 2026
Belfast Sets Out Action-Packed Summer Of Play And Music For Children
Belfast City Council has unveiled a wide-ranging summer schedule of events and park activities, alongside continued investment in inclusive play spaces, to help families enjoy a memorable July and August. From free park fun days to week-long learning clubs, the programme offers options for all ages.
29 June 2026
Belfast Rallies For Fleadh Cheoil As Six-Week Countdown Begins
Belfast is gearing up for a landmark cultural fortnight as the six-week countdown begins to Comhaltas Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann.
21 June 2026
St George’s Market Job Fair To Connect Jobseekers With Employers
Belfast City Council, working with the Belfast Labour Market Partnership, will host a Job Fair at St George's Market on Wednesday 24 June, running from 11am to 2pm.