Bealtaine Festival release their programme for 2026
The Bealtaine Festival, Ireland’s national festival celebrating the arts and ageing has released its programme for the 2026 festival which takes place nationwide.
Kicking off on May 1 the initiative will be bringing together artists, communities and audiences and audiences together to revel in a full month of arts, entertainment and community spirit.
Arts centres, and community spaces across Ireland will be taking part in the celebrations.
The festival is funded by the Arts Council and the HSE supported by communities nationwide and a vast network of accomplished local and national bodies.
The 2026 programme continues the festival’s exploration of its Lust for Life theme, inspired by the iconic anthem by Iggy Pop. The theme reframes ageing as a time of energy, reinvention, and creative possibility.
Following a month of nationwide activity, the festival reaches its flagship finale from the 28th to the 30th of May, taking over the Project Arts Centre in Dublin.
Across these three days and nights, audiences can experience a rich mix of performance, visual arts, music, film, literature, and dance.
This weekend forms the centrepiece of the festival, bringing artists and audiences together for a celebratory conclusion to the month’s festivities.
Dr Tara Byrne the Arts Programme Manager and Artistic Director of Bealtaine Festival at Age & Opportunity spoke at the launch.
“Bealtaine Festival 2026 is one of our most dynamic festivals yet.
“We are presenting a wide-ranging programme that positions the festival as a landmark moment in Ireland’s cultural calendar.
“From nationally resonant traditions like the Dawn & Dusk Chorus to a flagship weekend packed with unmissable performances and some of Ireland’s most significant artists.
“Bealtaine Festival continues to challenge the perceptions of ageing while celebrating the extraordinary creative contribution of older artists and communities.
“These are events that demand attention and we are proud to see the festival growing in scale, confidence and impact each year.”