The Gig Rig – the beating heart of the Fleadh
Free. No ticket or booking required.
The Fleadh’s main outdoor stage will be located outside Belfast City Hall. With an impressive mix of headline acts and emerging talent, the Gig Rig offers free live performances on all 8 days from morning sessions to high‑energy evening shows.
Set against the iconic backdrop of City Hall, audiences can enjoy an exciting mix of national and international performers with céilí bands and large ensembles as well traditional musicians, singers, and dancers, all contributing to a rich and varied outdoor concert experience. Discover a space where tradition meets innovation, communities come together, and music fills the city from morning to night.
The afternoon programme welcomes Comhaltas branches, visiting artists from across Ireland and around the world, alongside youth orchestras, community collaborations, and outstanding local talent. With a packed schedule running daily, the Gig Rig provides an accessible and welcoming way for audiences to experience the creativity, diversity, and living tradition of Ireland’s cultural arts.
Sunday 2nd August from 12pm - Opening Event
The opening event will strike a powerful first chord thanks to a special collaborative showcase that brings together Ards CCÉ, Belfast Bands Forum and South Asian Dance Academy. The ‘Shared Traditions’ performance will present a dazzling blend of music, dance and cultures, alongside a 100‑strong local school choir and champion Irish dancers led by Riverdance’s Lauren Smyth.
From 4pm the energy will surge further with electrifying performances into the evening from Goitse, Blackwater Céilí Band, The Shaer, Moss and Warnock Trio and legendary accordion virtuoso Sharon Shannon and her Big Band.
View full schedule at: Opening Ceremony.
Monday 3rd August 12pm – 11pm
Start the day with standout performances from Dunloy CCÉ, Dublin County, and Athy CCÉ, alongside the sharp, high‑energy choreography of Innova Irish Dance Company and the dynamic stage presence of Áirdan. A rich mix of tradition, rhythm and festival atmosphere — a strong start to your Monday at the Fleadh.
From 6pm, settle in for an evening rich with tradition and talent. Enjoy the elegant footwork of the Aisling School of Irish Dance, the artistry of Ronan McEvoy, the stirring sound of the Flute Church Band Portadown, the traditional tunes of Filidh, and the vibrant music of Ballynacargy CCÉ. Headliner Auris will deliver a sound with a rich foundation of jigs and reels while adding funky basslines, groovy beats and saxophone improvisation.
View full schedule at: Gig Rig - Monday 3rd August.
Tuesday 4th Augusts 12pm – 11pm
Expect an afternoon shaped by tradition and artistry with a mix of musical ensembles including St Louis Irish Arts, Cuimsiú, and the ever‑talented McClean Family.
From 6pm, enjoy the musicianship of Bangor Ukes, Nigel Black and Tunes Translated alongside the rich ensemble playing of the Oriel Traditional Orchestra and the vibrant energy of The Cedar Dobson Band and Ruciteme Club - all building towards headliners, Macalla from 10pm.
A critically acclaimed cross‑cultural collaboration, Macalla will feature artists from the North West Folk Collective in Derry/Londonderry and the Mshakht Collective from Iraq. Directed by bouzouki player Martin Coyle, this 8-piece ensemble masterfully blends traditional Irish instruments like the bouzouki and uilleann pipes with Middle Eastern instruments like the qanun, oud, and local percussion.
View full schedule at: Gig Rig - Tuesday 4th August.
Wednesday 5 August from 11am – 11pm
The Gig Rig welcomes Wednesday with the Four Corners Flute Orchestra, followed by Scotstown CCÉ. Across the day, audiences can enjoy a varied programme featuring Nós Nua Folk Orchestra, the Derry and Inishowen Harp Ensemble, and an international appearance from Singapore CCÉ. As the evening builds, the schedule continues with the Drinagh Mummers and the Pedal & Lever Society.
The headliners Tempest Ceol and NxNW will take to the stage from 8.45pm. The two boundary‑pushing quartets will bring a bold, contemporary edge to Wednesday’s line-up. Both offer a sound that reshapes familiar tunes into something that feels both rooted and thrillingly new. Expect energetic arrangements and musicians who are masters of their craft.
View full schedule at: Gig Rig - Wednesday 5th August.
Thursday 6 August from 11am – late
A strong line‑up of Comhaltas branches bring the early energy to the Gig Rig on Thursday including Newcastle CCÉ, Loup CCÉ and Cavan Town CCÉ. Orchestral colour follows with performances from Glór na nÓg Cill Dara, Kildare Youth Folk Orchestra and the Clonduff Trad Orchestra, adding depth and scale to the daytime schedule.
From 7.30pm, the evening session gathers momentum as Trú take to the stage, joined by acclaimed uilleann piper Conor Mallon from Keady, whose extraordinary skill alongside his bandmates promises to captivate the crowd.
Finishing the evening is Donegal’s supergroup, Sí Fiddlers will create the power of 13 fiddles moving as one, with talent stretching from Glencolumcille to Inishowen and everywhere in between.
View full schedule at: Gig Rig - Thursday 6th August.
Friday 7 August from 11am – late
Friday opens with a lively blend of Comhaltas talent featuring Loughbeg CCÉ, Comhaltas UAE, and local favourites Glengormley School of Traditional Music as well as Bangor Ukes, delivering a bright, easy going start to the day. Mid‑afternoon brings a festival favourite, a 3pm Open Air Céilí that invites dancers of all ages to join in.
Evening performances begin at 7pm with Connections, a special multicultural music experience led by Belfast composer Neil Martin. Joined by ArtsEkta and a cast of 12 musicians and dancers, the piece blends Irish traditional music with influences from Africa, South Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, and beyond - a vivid, global soundscape.
As the weekend settles over the city, Scottish ensemble TRIP will ignite the stage with their dynamic, cross‑genre sound, born in Glasgow’s vibrant trad scene and sharpened by fearless innovation. They’ll be joined by Irish heavyweights Lúnasa, who have formed the backbone of some of the greatest Irish groups of the decade. Long hailed as the ‘Irish music dream team’, their influence has shaped the very landscape of trad.
View full schedule at: Gig Rig - Friday 7th August.
Saturday 8 August from 11am to late
Saturday opens with County Cork Pipes and Drums of NYC, bringing a bold, unmistakable sound to the Gig Rig, followed by Molly Donnery and a selection of Comhaltas branches.
At 2.20pm, Unity Irish Dance lifts the energy and sets the scene for the Open Air Céilí at 3pm, where everyone is invited to join in for dancing and music from a traditional céilí band.
Saturday night fever arrives from 6pm with the talents of The Rynne, Breen Murray Trio followed by rising group Peter Street, an exciting new force in the world of traditional Irish music, blending youthful energy with exceptional talent whether it's lively reels or soulful ballads. A special live broadcast from Céilí House will begin at 9pm live onstage with the tempo surges further with Mec Lir as the quartet bring foot stomping beats to some classic trad tunes to finish the evening.
View full schedule at: Gig Rig - Saturday 8th August.
Sunday 9 August - from 11am to 12pm
Feel the energy of the final day of the Fleadh with artists such as Adgy & Éiru, Seoid and Celtic Roots. Enjoy an Australian double bill at 1.30pm from Comhaltas Sydney and trio Amaidí, followed by the Shankill Road Defenders Flute Band.
The closing ceremony will begin at 6pm with an electric performance from Harpist, Niamh Noade followed by a special pop-up performance from Bangor born singer‑songwriter Foy Vance.
The evening will continue with performances from The Bow Brother, Knockmore Céilí Band, Campbell College Bugles Pipes and Drums and John, Zoe, Louise & Michelle Mulcahy, Edwina Guckian.
The finale will finish with a special performance from the newly crowned Senior Céilí Band Competition winners. Witness the passion, power, and unrivalled talent of the very best in traditional Irish music and dance.
View full schedule at: Gig Rig - Closing Event.