Bealtaine Festival, Ireland’s national celebration of the arts and creativity as we age, officially launches its highly anticipated 30th-anniversary programme for 2025….
This milestone edition will unfold across Ireland throughout May, offering an expansive line-up of performances and activities that both look back and look forward in a celebration of the diversity of ageing. Bealtaine Festival, an initiative of Age & Opportunity, is proudly funded by the Arts Council and the HSE, with the support of communities nationwide and a vast network of accomplished local and national bodies.
To kick off the anniversary celebrations, Bealtaine Festival will host an action-packed opening weekend at the Project Arts Centre in Temple Bar, Dublin. From morning to night, visitors can enjoy three days of vibrant and fun arts activities, showcasing a variety of artforms and events. In addition to the opening weekend at Project Arts Centre, events will take place throughout Temple Bar and across the country. For those unable to attend in person, a range of online activities will ensure that everyone can participate in the spirit of Bealtaine.
Following the opening celebrations, the festival will continue throughout May, with creative events held in libraries, arts centres, care homes, and outdoor community spaces nationwide promising a dynamic and engaging celebration of arts and creativity,
Communities and groups all around Ireland are invited to host their own Bealtaine Tea Party on Sunday 4th May, to celebrate the festival’s milestone 30th anniversary. There will also be a flagship Tea Party event taking place in the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) on Sunday 4th May, with a gathering of musical guests, poets and more as well as the highly anticipated premiere of two new commissions on the theme of ‘Lust for Life’.
The programme of events taking place in Wexford for the Bealtaine Festival has been revealed too.
Overall, the 2025 programme comprises a variety of events and workshops across film, literature, music, performing arts, visual arts, and civil society and politics. Standout events include The Human Library, Invisibility: New Superpower, Prom Night Portraits, and much more.
Dr. Tara Byrne, Arts Programme Manager and Bealtaine Festival Artistic Director, Age & Opportunity, told Wexford Weekly that:
“We couldn’t be more excited to launch the Bealtaine Festival 2025 programme, especially as we celebrate 30 incredible years! The enthusiasm from organisations and artists has been truly inspiring, and we’re delighted to build on past successes to bring even more people together across Ireland this May. With our theme ‘Lust for Life,’ this special anniversary edition will be a joyful tribute to passion, resilience, and creativity at every age. Come celebrate with us and make this 30th birthday one to remember”.
Bealtaine Festival is an initiative of Age & Opportunity, funded by The Arts Council and the HSE. Age & Opportunity is the national organisation working to enable the best quality of life for us all as we age.
Tickets and further information on Bealtaine Festival events are now available via www.bealtaine.ie.
Wexford Weekly
This article was published by a member of the Wexford Weekly team.