Belfast Fleadh buzz keeps on going at annual Ardoyne & Bone community festival

Belfast Fleadh buzz keeps on going at annual Ardoyne & Bone community festival The Ardoyne & Bone Community Festival runs from August 7 – 16 17:30, 01 Aug 2026 It might be all about the Fleadh in Belfast this week but one local neighbourhood plans to keep the buzz going at its own annual community festival. ‌ is expected to bring around 800,000 visitors to the city from August 2-9. ‌ It is the first time the annual music festival has been held in Belfas t, and only the second time it has been held in Northern Ireland, after Derry was the venue in 2013. ‌ The 2026 event is set to be one of the most culturally diverse in its history, with cross-community participation and a celebration of traditions from across Northern Ireland and beyond. The Ardoyne & Bone Community Festival will kick off on Friday, August 7 and run after the Fleadh until Sunday, August 16. Organisers behind the long-standing north Belfast event are hoping to keep the Fleadh buzz going in the city for a little bit longer this summer. ‌ A successor to the Ardoyne Fleadh which was first held in 1990, the festival will host a range of events during the week after both large gatherings. Brendan Madden from the festival’s organising committee said: “The festival has always been a constant every August and it’s a good way to end the summer. There’s definitely a buzz in Belfast with people looking forward to getting involved in the Fleadh and we’re hoping to keep that buzz going. We can’t wait to welcome everyone and celebrate another fantastic festival together. “Rooted in the heart of Ardoyne but open to everyone, our festival celebrates community, culture and bringing people together. With a full week of events, we hope to keep the festival buzz alive throughout August, offering something for everyone to enjoy and get involved in.” ‌ He added: “Our dedicated voluntary committee has been working hard throughout the year to create a programme of events that we believe our community truly deserves. We are proud to bring you a wide range of activities and experiences, with something for everyone to enjoy — from our youngest residents to our oldest, and everyone in between. “Starting on Friday, August 7, we will be kicking off a fantastic week of events, bringing our community together and welcoming visitors from near and far. Whether you’re local to the area or joining us from further afield, we invite you to come along, get involved, and help keep the festival spirit alive throughout August.” Article continues below Full details of all the planned events can be found on the Ardoyne & Bone Community Festival’s Facebook and Instagram pages. For all the latest news, visit the homepage here and sign up to our What's On newsletter here.