ARTISTIC DIRECTOR’s

WELCOME

 
 

Fáilte.

Welcome to the 7th annual Belfast TradFest—a week-long celebration of traditional music, song, and dance in one of the most dynamic and welcoming cities in the world.

From humble beginnings, TradFest has grown into a cornerstone of Belfast’s cultural calendar, attracting audiences and artists from across the globe. Each year, the festival transforms the city—from the cobbled streets of the Cathedral Quarter to the splendour of the Ulster Hall—with music, movement, and meaningful encounters. Whether you’re attending a concert, céilí, session, or masterclass, you’re part of a living, breathing tradition that belongs to all of us.

At Belfast TradFest we acknowledge and celebrates the cultural diversity of the different traditions here in NI and we’re extremely proud of our work, bringing people together, in a shared celebration of traditional music from these islands. By creating spaces where communities can connect, collaborate, and take pride in their cultural expression, we foster a spirit of inclusivity, mutual respect, and collective joy – all made possible through the powerful and unifying medium of traditional music.

TradFest exists because of the extraordinary people who support it—our funders, sponsors, venue partners, volunteers, team, audiences and most importantly, our musicians, singers, and dancers. We recognise that the life of an artist isn’t always easy—financial pressures, mental health challenges, burnout, and an ever-demanding digital world. That’s why festivals like this matter: they provide vital platforms for connection, celebration, and artistic expression.

This year’s festival includes:

  • 17 concerts featuring some of the finest musicians on the planet

  • 105 sessions across 20 of Belfast’s best pubs as part of the Dunville’s Irish Whiskey Session Trail

  • 12 céilís

  • 4 Festival club gigs

  • A Highland piping competition

  • A major Summer School of Traditional Music in partnership with Ulster University, offering over 60 masterclasses in instruments, song, and dance, and welcoming over 800 students from 33 countries.

We’re also deeply committed to supporting the next generation of traditional musicians. Through our Bursary Programme, we’re enabling more than 80 young people to access high-quality tuition. Our newly launched All-Island Residential Bursary Scheme brings students from across Ireland together to live, learn, and play music in community—building friendships and memories that will last a lifetime.

This festival is built on partnership, and we’re especially grateful for our collaboration with Ulster University, Tourism NI, ACNI, Belfast City Council and all our funders and sponsors. We’re also delighted to produce a bespoke Dunville’s 1808 Irish Whiskey - Belfast TradFest 2025 Edition, available in select venues—a toast to tradition, creativity, and community spirit.

So, whether you’re here to perform, to listen, to dance, or simply to experience the magic of traditional music in Belfast—thank you for being part of it. TradFest is a festival made by and for people who believe in the power of music to bring us together. And we can’t wait to share it with you.

Sláinte

Dónal O’Connor