AVA Belfast returns to Titanic Slipways on 29–30 May 2026, as the city prepares for what promises to be its biggest music weekend of the year. Hailed as “Techno Christmas,” or “Belfast Coachella” AVA is back for its 12th edition with one of its most diverse line-ups to date.
Featuring Kneecap, KETTAMA, ¥ØU$UK€ ¥UK1MAT$U, Annie Mac, Honey Dijon, Interplanetary Criminal, Octo Octa b2b Eris Drew, Blawan (Live), DJ Gigola, Pegassi, Partiboi69, Calibre, Or:la, Chloé Caillet, Takuya Nakamura, Cromby, Cormac, Evian Christ, Surusinghe, deathtoricky, Huartan & many more.
With just weeks to go until AVA Festival 2026 opens its gates, Belfast’s leading celebration of electronic music, visual arts and contemporary culture has unveiled essential festival information for attendees, including stage breakdowns, on-site dining, talks programming, afterparties & more.
This year our festival site and programme have grown, with a new 5th stage, 80 artists across two days, and 15 debuts! The programme that celebrates the diversity of talent both locally and internationally and is a reflection of today’s music landscape, spanning house, techno, trance, DnB, hip-hop, post-punk, tradtronic, experimental and beyond. We can’t wait to see everyone down on the Slipways this Friday 29th & Saturday 30th May.
WHAT’S NEW: TALKS PROGRAMME
AVA Belfast returns to The MAC Belfast on Thursday 28 May with a full day of free talks and workshops exploring music, culture and creativity. Running from 11:00–18:00, the programme brings together artists, producers, industry professionals and creatives for a series of conversations and interactive sessions designed to inspire and connect audiences of all ages.
Highlights include breathwork and yoga sessions, discussions on Belfast’s evolving music scene, modern music production and artists’ rights, alongside workshops on storytelling through gaming and live AV, independent record labels, and brand partnerships in music. This closes with an in-conversation session featuring Calibre and Andrew Moore, offering insight into the prolific Irish artist. Free to attend – sign up link here.
STAGE BREAKDOWNS
Detailed stage-by-stage schedules are now available in the AVA Festival Guide, giving festivalgoers the chance to plan their AVA weekend. From headline performances and exclusive Belfast debuts to local showcases and after-dark sessions, AVA 2026 promises one of its most expansive programmes yet.
The Slipways: AVA’s flagship main stage, hosting global headliners, large-scale production and immersive audiovisual performances.
The Dock: A purpose-built dockside amphitheatre co-hosted with Resident Advisor, featuring layered platforms, bespoke AV installations and a powerful Funktion-One sound system.
The Pumphouse: An industrial-inspired arena designed for immersive club energy, heavyweight sound and high-intensity performances.
The Yard: A scenic waterfront setting blending live acts and DJ performances from some of the weekend’s finest selectors.
The Anywhere House: Brand new for 2026, delivering intimate house-party energy with cutting-edge curation from Velo and Lab54.
‘DIFFERENT TOGETHER’ ART INSTALLATION
Marking an exciting new addition to the festival and a significant step in the growth of the visual arts at AVA, “Different Together” brings together five emerging visual artists alongside established artists Paul Doran, Mark Ervine, Naomi Ervine, and Emily Bisgaard to create a large-scale art installation live on the Titanic Slipways in Belfast.
Celebrating diversity, inclusion, and the power of self-expression, the project features figures from different backgrounds and perspectives into one single visual statement spanning 20 metres in the centre of the festival.
IBILE RESTAURANT
AVA will be bringing IBILE to the festival, hosting a pop-up restaurant experience celebrating contemporary West African cuisine and music.
Blending music, community and culinary culture, IBILE offers festivalgoers an immersive dining experience with a specially curated AVA menu, available to book for those looking for something unique during the festival weekend. Booking details & more information here.
AFTERPARTIES ACROSS BELFAST
When the main festival closes each night, AVA’s city-wide afterparty series will continue across Belfast’s leading venue Common Market, extending the energy long into the early hours.
Friday 29th will see Chloé Caillet, Cromby B2B Swoose, Body Clinic and Matcha taking over the venue’s Warehouse space, while Cian, Sam Girling and Sophie hold the fort in the Club space.
Leading on Saturday 30th in the Warehouse space is, MPH, Juicy Romance, Cormac and DJ Time of the Month. Ineffekt, Holly Lester, Tara Kumar and MK Best will close the festival in the Club space.
Festival App
Download the official festival app via our partner Woov to personalise your timetable, chat with friends and get custom alerts so you never miss a set. Watch out for the official announcement.
COMMUNITY & CHARITY PARTNERS
AVA Festival remains committed to creating positive social impact through key partnerships. For 2026, AVA will collaborate with EarthPercent, War Child, Nexus, Gig Buddies and Extern.
AVA Festival Belfast 2026 – 29 + 30 May 2026
Titanic Slipways, Belfast
AVA BELFAST
29 + 30th of May 2026
TICKET LINK
IG/TikTok – @AVAFESTIVAL
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