Belfast TradFest 2026 Announces Spectacular Headline Concert Series

Belfast TradFest has unveiled an exceptional lineup of headline concerts for Summer 2026, bringing together some of the most influential, celebrated and exciting names in traditional music for a week-long festival of world-class performance.

Tickets for headline concerts are on sale Friday April 24th at 9am from https://www.belfasttraditionalmusic.com

Taking place from 26 July to 2 August, this year’s programme spans generations, regions and styles from groundbreaking large-scale collaborations to intimate, deeply expressive performances reaffirming Belfast’s place at the heart of the global traditional music scene.

Leading this year’s headline programme is Flook, celebrating 30 years at the forefront of contemporary traditional music. Renowned for their unmistakable sound, a dynamic blend of flutes, whistles, guitar and bodhrán, featuring Armagh's Brian Finnegan, Sarah Allen, Bodhrán legend John Joe Kelly & guitar master Ed Boyd, the band’s virtuosic musicianship and deep musical connection have made them one of the most influential and beloved groups in modern folk. Their performance at Mandela Hall on 1 August will mark their biggest Belfast show to date.

Speaking ahead of the performance, flautist Brian Finnegan reflected on the band’s long-standing connection with the city:

“Many of our favourite-ever shows have taken place in Belfast. We’re remembering those heady Open House Festival gigs, people seemingly hanging off the rafters in the tiny John Hewitt Bar, barely enough air in the room to draw breath, never mind pass it through a flute. There have been many memorable nights since, including the Black Box, The Duncairn, and last year’s sold-out show at the beautiful Belfast Empire. Thank you, Belfast, for your unique and always uplifting spirit. Mandela Hall will be our biggest Belfast gig to date and we can't wait.”

Opening the headline series on 26 July at Mandela Hall, the Michael McGoldrick Big Band presents a bold and ambitious project from the internationally acclaimed flute, whistle and uilleann pipes virtuoso. Bringing together an all-star lineup drawn from the worlds of traditional, folk and jazz, this large-scale ensemble delivers powerful arrangements, rich textures and fearless improvisation.

The internationally acclaimed Solas will return to Belfast for a landmark performance at Mandela Hall on 31 July. Widely regarded as one of the most influential groups in contemporary Irish music, the American supergroup will mark their 30th anniversary with a special tour following an extended hiatus. Formed in New York in the mid-1990s, Solas helped redefine Irish traditional music for a global audience, blending tradition with elements of folk and Americana. Their Belfast concert will feature founding members Séamus Egan, Winifred Horan, and John Williams, bringing together the core sound that has shaped the band’s legacy over three decades.

A special double bill at Empire Music Hall on 29 July brings together established voices and the next generation of traditional music. Fresh from being awarded Folk Album of the Year 2025 for his acclaimed album Curlew’s Cry, Lurgan's Barry Kerr is rapidly gaining recognition as one of Ireland’s most compelling songwriters. He is joined by the powerful and distinctive voice of Pauline Scanlon and the masterful musicianship and storytelling of Gerry O’Beirne, creating a concert rich in depth, nuance and song.

Sharing the bill are CUAS, one of the most exciting new groups to emerge from Ireland’s traditional music scene. Formed in 2023 and rooted in the rich musical traditions of West Kerry, the ensemble blends driving dance tunes with song and original composition. With an acclaimed debut album and nominations for Best Emerging Artist and Best Folk Group at the RTÉ Folk Awards, CUAS represent a vibrant new wave in the tradition and are sure to make you get up and dance.

Rounding off the headline series is a standout double bill at Empire Music Hall on 30 July, featuring The Bonny Men alongside Bríd Harper, Sylvain Barou and Libby McCrohan. Since forming in 2011, The Bonny Men have built a formidable reputation for their distinctive sound and electrifying live performances, combining traditional Irish roots with a bold, contemporary energy.

Sharing the bill, Bríd Harper, one of Ireland’s most revered fiddle players, brings her deeply expressive Donegal style to the stage, joined by Breton multi-instrumentalist Sylvain Barou, whose work bridges Irish, Breton and global traditions, and Libby McCrohan, whose playing on Greek bouzouki adds rhythmic drive and harmonic depth.

Now in its eighth edition, Belfast TradFest continues to grow from its grassroots foundations into one of the world’s leading celebrations of traditional arts. Artistic director Dónal O'Connor says "What began as a community-focused initiative has evolved into a major international festival, while remaining deeply connected to the musicians, traditions and local culture that shaped it. This year’s programme reflects that journey, combining globally renowned artists with emerging voices, and large-scale performances with intimate, authentic musical experiences, underlining Belfast TradFest’s long-term vision and our place as a permanent fixture in the cultural calendar. We're here for the long haul."

Headline Concert Listings

·      Michael McGoldrick Big Band — Mandela Hall, 26 July

·      Barry Kerr, Pauline Scanlon & Gerry O’Beirne + CUAS — Empire Music Hall, 29 July

·      The Bonny Men + Bríd Harper, Sylvain Barou & Libby McCrohan — Empire Music Hall, 30 July

·      Solas — Mandela Hall, 31 July

·      Flook — Mandela Hall, 1 August

For full programme details and booking information, visit:
https://www.belfasttraditionalmusic.com