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. The programme will feature over 200 free, family-friendly events designed to reimagine public spaces and venues as places of discovery, creativity and connection. The event is financed by Belfast City Council with additional backing from the Linen Quarter and Cathedral Quarter Business Improvement Districts. Programming and delivery are being led by MayWe and DaisyChain Inc through an open call involving local artists and creatives. Speaking at the programme launch at Riddel's Warehouse, the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Róis-Máire Donnelly, said the council was pleased to support a key date in the city's cultural diary: "I ndiaidh samhradh speisialta bheith againn le Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann agus ná céadta míle duine ag ceiliúradh cultúir i lár a' bhaile, is rud iontach go bhfuil Oíche Chultúir 2026 ag díriú isteach orainn. "The response to Culture Night's return last year exceeded all expectations and demonstrated just how much this event means to people across Belfast. It has become a much-loved fixture in our city's cultural calendar and a fantastic way to bring communities, visitors and people of all ages together. "Is léir go bhfuil an-luach ag na cultúir difiúla sa chathair agus fúthu, tugtar deis do na pobail eagsúla a gcuid scéaltaí, mianta agus aislingí a rá fríd dánta, amhráin, cheol is damhsa. "Culture Night is about making culture accessible to everyone and transforming familiar spaces across Belfast into places of discovery, creativity and connection. With more than 200 free events taking place across the city, this year's theme, 'Be a City Explorer', is an invitation to get out, explore somewhere new and experience all that Belfast has to offer. "I encourage everyone to get involved, discover something new and enjoy the incredible programme of events taking place right across our city. "Déanáigí cinnte go nglacann tú páirt i gceann de na hoícheanta is fearr i rith na bliana idir imeachtaí i lár na cathrach nó amuigh i ngach cearn den chathair." Highlights include The Belfast Busking Collective at The Ulster Hall, a large-scale family-friendly illustrated wall at 2 Royal Avenue, a drop-in poetry session at Native Coffee along the Maritime Mile, and a SoulTrane Block Party at The Oh Yeah Centre. A wide range of venues city-wide will host events, working alongside Translink and the city's BIDs – Linen Quarter and Cathedral Quarter – as well as independent event and hospitality providers, heritage sites and council locations including City Hall, 2 Royal Avenue and The Ulster Hall. Also speaking at the launch, joint managing director of MayWe events, Lois Kennedy, said: "MayWe is thrilled to be able to present this programme for our favourite night in our favourite city. A massive thanks must go to Belfast City Council for their support of Culture Night, without them it just would not be happening, and we all truly appreciate it. "Thank you so much to all the participating artists, venues, cultural organisations, businesses and community groups, you have all made this programme truly special. Thanks also to Linen Quarter BID and Cathedral Quarter BID as without them the programme would not have the breadth and depth their additional support allows. "These are difficult times for many in the arts sector but I think it is becoming increasingly clear, how, given the opportunity and support, our city's rich and diverse cultural heritage and future can really shine and Culture Night Belfast is a brilliant reflection of that. Stevie McGinn, Communications & Events Manager at Linen Quarter BID, said: "Culture Night is the perfect opportunity to explore the city and discover everything the Linen Quarter has to offer. "The district has continued to evolve, with the completion of Saltwater Square, the expansion of HALT's facilities and food offering, and the opening of Vault Artist Studios, creating an even more diverse experience. "We've put together more than a dozen special activities across the Linen Quarter this year. From open houses at Vault and Bankmore Square to the Linen Quarter Wrestling Corner at Belfast Grand Central Station and a Superhero HQ at HALT, Culture Night offers a chance to see the district from a different perspective and experience the character that makes the Linen Quarter such a vibrant part of Belfast." Special Culture Night hubs will operate at 2 Royal Avenue and The MAC, each providing quiet spaces. Changing Places facilities are available at Belfast Waterfront and Ulster University, and accessibility details for participating venues can be found at accessable.co.uk. There will be no planned road closures. Visitors are advised to use Translink Metro or Glider services, with timetables and late-night information at translink.co.uk. Travel by Beryl Belfast Bike is also encouraged, with 60 docking stations across the city. The full schedule is available at culturenight.ie, with updates on Facebook @culturenightbel and Instagram @culturenightbelfast.