The Imagine! Belfast Festival of Ideas and Politics has launched its 2026 programme.
The Community Relations Council supports the festival through its CR/CD Small Grants Scheme.
The festival takes place 23-29 March with over 120 events across 50+ venues in Belfast. The programme features a high-energy mix of traditional debates, workshops, comedy, music, theatre and film screenings alongside podcasts, walking tours, public gatherings and quizzes, under the theme, ‘Thou Shalt Not Have No Idea.’
The festival will welcome keynote artists and speakers such as Adam Kay, Mhairi Black, Len Pennie, Liam Ó Maonlaí and Tommy Tiernan, exploring themes such as global diversity, reconciliation, migration, philosophy, sustainability and collective action.
Other highlights include new work by Kabosh theatre company, music from Dan Donnelly, comedy from Eleanor Tiernan and a new animation by viral folk musician and visual artist rarewitch.
Speaking at the launch about this year’s theme, Festival Director, Mags White-O’Kane said: “Our theme this year, ‘Thou Shalt Not Have No Idea’ is a call to curiosity in the face of despair. We’re moving past ambivalence and misinformation toward something better: community connection and shared experience. Beyond just entertainment - we’re inviting audiences to find inspiration and solidarity within the Imagine! programme in an increasingly fractious world.”
Siobhán Molloy, Arts Development Officer: Festivals and International, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, said, “The Arts Council of Northern Ireland is pleased to support the Imagine! Festival, an exciting and important platform for artists, cultural discussion and creative insight across a whole spectrum of experts, ideas and knowledge. Thanks to funding from the National Lottery, this programme has something for all ages, featuring leading artists, scientists and creative practitioners across 120 events in 50 venues – all in one week.”
The Imagine! Belfast Festival of Ideas and Politics 2026 programme is available to view online here: imaginebelfast.com.