Watch: Encounters is a new duet dance piece created and performed by Maíre Morrison and Sarah Flavelle, with music by Caolán Austin. It explores how brief interactions between people can shape connection and shared space. Supported by the Maiden Voyage Dance Match Make programme.

There will be 2 performances on the evening, with the piece lasting approx. 15 minutes: 

5.10pm | 6.10pm

Listen: Belfast Ensemble cellist Elias Rooney presents a low-key evening of music for solo cello, including the world premiere of On Hearing of the Death of Dolly Parton by Conor Mitchell. 

This laid back concert tours the incredible range of repertoire written for solo cello, including music by Bach, Tavener, and David McCann.  Elias will guide you through the programme with his own unique thoughts, perspective, and artistry. 

A relaxed and resonant musical experience to start your Culture Night. 

A 30-minute performance at: 

4.30pm | 5.30pm | 6.30pm

Create: Get creative with The Crescent and Fighting Words NI with activities for all ages including: 

• Join the Fighting Words NI team for family-friendly story making and character creation (suitable for younger audiences).

• Have you always wanted to try your hand at Life Drawing? Artist Leah Davis will be leading a Clothed Life Drawing in the Studio. 

• Join Aly Harte to paint a large scale loose landscape in the Garden. Add your mark and colour to a landscape drawing, which has been inspired by The Crescent and it's surrounding. This collaborative painting will be hung in The Crescent post-Culture Night for all to celebrate and enjoy. So come leave your mark. 

• One Night, One Belfast, One Story, join Ian Megrath in the cafe area for Journalling. You’ll be encouraged to respond to some prompts by your preferred means. Written, drawn or perhaps a collage etc. 

  “What does Belfast feel like to me?”
  it could be a person, a colour, a word or phrase, a song

  “Tonight, Belfast is…”
  … colourful, noisy, welcoming, home

  Finally “There is space Belfast for…”
  … new ideas, everyone, you.

  All materials will be provided. Simply come along think and record. 

Look: For Belfast Book Festival 2026 we presented, in partnership with The Adrian Brinkerhoff Poetry, Film Poems*. Culture Night Belfast will be your final chance to see the exhibition. 

Pick up a headset to listen in and watch films of remarkable poems by Northern Ireland based poets Mícheál McCann, Susanna Galbraith, Emma Must, Bebe Ashley, Abby Oliveira and Leonita Flynn.

Videography/Photography by Matthew Thompson.

*Film Poems: Combining language, performance, music and moving image, a Film Poem builds an immersive experience that invites viewers to reconnect with Poetry.