Deaf Arts Festival NI

Date: Friday 13 March and Saturday 14 March 2026

Venue: The MAC

Category: Festival

A festival to connect with d/Deaf communities across Northern Ireland and beyond.

Festival Launch

13 March, 6.15pm
A great opportunity to mingle with the artists performing in the various festival events and meet the team behind the festival magic. The launch will also feature a visit from a special guest who will officially open the festival. There will also be a special Sign Song Session where artist Sarah Jane Moloney will take you through some basic signs and perform her favourite songs through sign language. Free, drop in.

• Find out more

14 March

• 10am - Sip and Sign: A fun and interactive session to exploring the rich heritage of the deaf community in NI
• 11am - Children's BSL Drama: Drop off your kids to our Children's BSL drama workshop session and let them burn off some energy and learn an amazing skill – Sign Language.
• 11.30am - BSL Gallery Tour: Join Paula Clarke, deaf BSL signer and art facilitator for an interactive tour of MAC, Belfast art galleries
• 11.45am - Acting Taster Workshop: An informal, fun taster workshop exploring character and storytelling
• 1pm - Adult Sign Workshop: Learn the basics in BSL so you can connect or have a ‘bit of craic’ with someone who is deaf
• 1.30pm - Deaf Mimo: Enjoy the live performance by Stephen Robinson who will take on the role of ‘Deaf Mimo’
• 3pm - Children's BSL Arts and Crafts Workshop: A BSL Art workshop and craft session featuring BSL lead story time and crafting
• 3.15pm - DEAF (SORDA) - Movie Time and Questions and Answers: A signed post-film panel discussion 
• 4.30pm - Artists Together: A vibrant gathering designed to unite the wider DDF community from across Ireland and beyond
• 6pm - Open Mic Comedy: Impromptu and unrehearsed comedy and short performances from the d/Deaf community
• 7.30pm - Gavin Lilley: Hilarity with the well-established deaf comedian 
• 8.30pm - After Party: Join Cre8 Theatre for a live DJ set upstairs in the Haymarket

For full programme details, go to The MAC's website (link opens in new window)