ImprovFestivals.orgBelfast Improv Festival
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Dates | September 25-28, 2026 |
| Edition | 5th |
| Location | Belfast, Northern Ireland |
| Language | English |
| Organizer | Belfast Improv (Paul Mone) |
| Website | belfastimprovfestival.co.uk |
| @belfast_improvfestival | |
| Belfast Improv |
Overview
The Belfast Improv Festival is Ireland's original international festival of improvised theatre and comedy, founded in 2018 by Paul Mone, Creative Director of Belfast Improv. The inaugural festival featured teams from China, Europe, the UK, US, and Ireland, and the event has grown into a four-day celebration with 20+ international ensembles and solo performers.
Shows run nightly at Lavery's Bar on Bradbury Place (second floor comedy club), with workshops held each morning and afternoon at the Seamus Heaney Centre, University Road. The Belfast festival runs alongside Improv Fest Ireland's Dublin leg (September 30 - October 3), forming a two-city event across Northern Ireland and the Republic. The broader Improv Fest Ireland has been awarded the EFFE label by the European Festivals Association.
Headliners
Performing groups and soloists for the 2026 edition include: Big Bang Improv (US), Cloven (IE), Bill and Betse (US), Ghost Town (NL), Polly and Paulie (IRE/US), Couch (UK), Bear Milk (DE), Crocodile Paws (FI/US), Somewhat Theatre (UK), Digressions (FR), Comediasians (UK), Faith and Sonnet (US), The Clones (UK), The Good/The Bad/The Funny (PL), The Ensemble (INT), Owen and Jen (UK), Mixed Nuts (INT), and Fool's Gold (INT). The full performer announcement is expected July 27.
Workshops
Workshops run Friday through Sunday at the Seamus Heaney Centre, University Road. The 2026 teaching faculty includes Diana Brown, Bodei Brouwer (Netherlands), Bill Cernasky (US), Navaris Darson (US), Betse Green (US), Maro Lesioti (Greece), Erica Maity (Netherlands), Alan Pakosz (Poland), and Courtney Pong (US). Workshop topics include ensemble work, Groundlings-style longform, character-building, and physicality. Full Festival Pass and workshop tickets are on sale via Eventbrite; evening show tickets become available in August.
Submissions
Performer and ensemble applications are closed. Individual applications for Mixer Teams opened in February.