In 2025 we celebrated the 15th Belfast Book Festival. As well as bookable events, we invited folks to pop into The Crescent Arts Centre throughout the Festival to catch out special Belfast Book Festival exhibition, Art of Translation curated by Anna Morrison. There was also books to borrow or buy from The Crescent's Little Library and No Alibis Festival Bookshop, as well as poetry to read, touch and listen to throughout the building.
The Belfast Book Festival is part of The Crescent Art Centre's annual programme of activity, and over eight days there was a vibrant line-up of events and activities for adults and children in the Festival's Hub.
In 2025;
- 2025 marked the 15th edition of Belfast Book Festival, housed all under one roof at The Crescent Arts Centre in Belfast and ran between 5-12 June
- The ticketing scheme for the fourth year was Pay What You Decide.
- Our Book Festival exhibition was all about Book Covers - The Art of Translation curated Anna Morrison in collaboration with Literature Ireland.
- Festival Highlights included: Game of Thrones star Kristain Nairn; former BBC Newsnight producer Sam McAlister, Joseph O’Connor, Wendy Erskine, Tessa Hadley, Eimear McBride, Kathryn Ferguson, Stacey Gregg, Luke Harding, Darran Anderson, Eoin McNamee, Roddy Doyle, Andrea Carter, Neil Hegarty, Noreen Masud, Claire Lynch, Roisin O'Donnell, Jan Carson, Gráinne O’Hare and Thomas Morris.
- We celebrated the beloved Irish poet, Michael Longley in an event led by Belfast Book Festival Patron and poet Paul Muldoon, joined by Frances Tomelty, Bernard MacLaverty, Susannah Dickey and James Conor Patterson who shared a series of readings of Longley’s work, spanning the decades of his career.
- The literacy legacy of Edna O’Brien was commemorated as leading authors and filmmakers discussed their favourite O’Brien texts. Chaired by literary journalist and editor Alex Clark, panellists included Sinéad O’Shea, (director of Blue Road: The Edna O’Brien Story), and authors Eimear McBride and Jan Carson.
- The first day of the Festival was all about development opportunities for writers and illustrators. We offered 1:1's, info sessions, panel discussions, and networking opportunities.
- All activity at The Crescent and the Belfast Book Festival is collaborative endeavour. Our thanks to Festival 2025 Associates Emma Cummins for her insights, perspectives and ideas.
- Thanks to supporters of the Festival The Adrian Brinkerhoff Foundation, Bavarian BMW, and Hastings Hotels.
- The 2025 Mairtín Crawford Awards were supported by Johns Elliot Solicitors and No Alibis Bookstore. Johns Elliot Solicitors investment in the Mairtín Crawford Awards was supported by the Arts & Business NI Investment Programme.
"The quality of the presenters, the amazing participants creativity and the comfort of the Crescent Arts Centre." Customer Feedback
"There is a sense of shared excitement and ownership in this festival which is just lovely particularly in the beautiful building and the welcome extended by workers and volunteers - it all makes for a really lovely experience." Customer Feedback
