Culture Night Belfast is officially back for 2025, taking place on Friday 19th September. This year’s event will look a little different: it will be artist-led, venue-based and spread across the city. There will be no road closures or central stage. Instead, the focus will be on live events happening in real spaces throughout Belfast – from community centres and studios to bars, cafes, arts venues and beyond.

This is a major moment for music-makers, collectives, venues and promoters across Belfast. If you’re working on something unique – a gig, a listening session, an installation, a collaboration – and want to share it with the city in a new way, now is the time to apply.

Events must be free and unticketed, and priority will be given to proposals that are inclusive, accessible and made especially for Culture Night. The organisers (MayWe and Daisy Chain Inc) want to ensure there’s a wide spread of events across the city, from North and South to East and West Belfast.

There are two submission deadlines:

  • Friday 25th July: for proposals that require financial support
  • Friday 1st August: for all other submissions

If you’re applying for funding, you’ll need to show that artists and creatives involved are being paid fairly. Financial support is available for individuals, collectives, community groups and arts organisations, but not for licensed venues.

If you’re putting on a music event, or any other kind of creative idea, and want to be part of Culture Night Belfast 2025, go here to submit your idea, or email hello@culturenightbelfast.co.uk if you have questions or want to talk it through.