Festival & Performance Listings

Belfast International Arts Festival, Belfast

From world premieres and acclaimed international musicians to bold new voices and an all-new strand of immersive arts programming, Belfast International Arts Festival returns from 14 October to 8 November for its 64th edition with an ambitious programme that will animate more than 30 venues across the city. A truly international affair, this year’s progra More

Myriad by Architects of Air, Ashbourne

Enter 'Myriad', a luminarium created by Architects of Air, an extraordinary immersive experience where glowing colour, winding tunnels and soaring spaces transform the world around you. Inspired by natural forms, geometry and architecture, this monumental inflatable structure invites you to wander, explore and become mesmerised by a kaleidoscope of radiant l More

Galoshans Festival, Inverclyde

Inverclyde’s legendary Galoshans Festival is set to make its grand return for 2026! Celebrating the community’s rich cultural roots, the festival will run from October 16th through October 31st. Attendees can expect a spellbinding mix of contemporary performance, local artistry, and Halloween tradition, culminating in the highly anticipated annual Street Par More

Journeys International Festival, Leicester

This October we're celebrating the power of community, connection and the different journeys that bring us together. Since 2013 Journeys Festival International (JFI) has brought artists and communities together to celebrate diversity and migration. This annual festival provides a platform for artists from culturally diverse backgrounds to share their u More

Lightpool, Blackpool

Blackpool’s renowned and award-winning Lightpool Festival will return for October half-term 2026. The 2026 festival will feature a spectacular mix of stunning light installations, captivating live performances, and mesmerising 3D projection shows. This vibrant festival, which is completely free to access, is staged across a diverse range of both indoor and o More

Paisley Halloween Festival, Paisley

Paisley Halloween Festival is back, and it’s bigger, brighter, and more fantastical than ever before. This year, the streets of Paisley will come alive with an enchanting parade, magical installations, and spine-tingling street performances. Whether you’re young or old, the Halloween Festival promises to bring the fun and entertain you all evening. So, More

Bram Stoker Festival, Dublin

Dublin City Council Bram Stoker Festival celebrates the legacy of one of Ireland’s most beloved and iconic writers and is now one of Dublin’s largest arts festivals. The festival draws inspiration from Stoker, his life, his work, the Dublin of his time and celebrates the Gothic, the supernatural, the after-dark and the Victorian. We’ve presented outdoor spec More

River of Light Liverpool, Liverpool

The ninth edition of River of Light returns from 23 October - 1 November. Delivered by Culture Liverpool, the theme of the festival this year is, ‘Together’, with all installations focusing on how light brings people closer in a joyful way. All 13 artworks have been announced as part for the FREE trail which is taking over Liverpool City Centre this au More

Diwali Light It Up!, Basingstoke

We invite you to come together to celebrate Diwali Light it Up! – the Festival of Lights – with dazzling parades, music, dance, lanterns and joy filling the streets of Basingstoke and Reading. This is a free, family-friendly event and open to all! South UK’s most spectacular, artistically rich and largest FREE outdoor Diwali celebration is here! This i More

Halloween in the City Weekender, Manchester

Free city-wide Halloween Weekender to return with giant inflatable art trail, monster parties, a brand-new monster bake-off, spooky storytelling and its biggest fancy dress takeover yet! Manchester is getting ready to celebrate a very special monster-milestone this October as the MCR Monsters turn 10 and take over the city for a monstrously good Halloween More

Carlisle Carnivale, Carlisle

Carlisle Carnivale is the first festival of its kind in Carlisle. Carlisle Carnivale will take over the city centre, encompassing live music, street entertainment, community games, a market, a funfair and round out with a magical torchlight procession. The programme will include work led by internationally renowned theatre-maker Adrian Schvarzstein, along More

Wellington Garden of Light, Wellington

Discover Wellington Park as a colourful Garden of Light with live performance, aerial arts, fire and light illuminations, sound installations, projections, music/sounds. Explore the gardens as you have never seen or heard it before.Discover trails of light art works created by local creatives, young people and communities. The event is ticketed £2 adul More

Diwali Light It Up!, Reading

Let’s Celebrate Diwali Together! We invite you to come together to celebrate Diwali Light it Up! – the Festival of Lights – with dazzling parades, music, dance, lanterns and joy filling the streets of Basingstoke and Reading. This is a free, family-friendly event and open to all! South UK’s most spectacular, artistically rich and largest FREE outdoor D More

Cheadle Lantern Parade, Cheadle

Join us for the third annual Cheadle Lantern Parade, bringing a glowing evening of lanterns, music and community spirit to the streets of Cheadle. This year, the parade will be led by Brazen Brass Band, an incredible all-female brass band bringing joyful tunes, big brass sounds and plenty of energy to the streets. Lantern collection: From 6pm Parade s More

The BIG Spook, Lincoln

The Monster Invasion is back! A week of spooky fun takes over the city with creative installations, themed activities and family-friendly frights throughout the Halloween half-term. Expect creepy characters, interactive experiences and plenty of monster magic for all ages. Location: Across the city Suitable for: Families More

Wellington Garden of Light, Wellington

Save the Date Oct 24th. Wellington Garden of Light If you would like to help at this event, please get in touch we are looking for local volunteers who are able to help and support. Training and support will be provided. Thank you to Wellington Town Council for supporting FUSE Somerset Outdoor Arts illuminations, fire, light performances, and light More

Salford Centenary: The Wagon Train Finale, Salford

It's half term, the clocks have gone back and a Time Capsule from the future has been discovered! This spectacular outdoor show will celebrate our city, with dancers, music, DJs, the Wagon Train of Inventions, and Walk the Plank's trademark fire and magical special effects. Part of Salford 100, celebrating one hundred years of our city, its history, diver More

Nottingham Halloween Festival, Nottingham

This October half-term, from Monday 26 October to Sunday 1 November 2026, the larger-than-life creatures and a brand-new Halloween Parade will bring frightful fun to Nottingham city centre! This year’s festival highlights – for all ages – include: Monsters on buildings This year’s inflatable monsters will be lurking on rooftops across Nottingham cit More

Light Night Leeds, Leeds

Light Night Leeds is one of the UK’s largest annual arts and light festival, transforming the city centre into an extraordinary illuminated playground over two nights each October. Since its beginnings in 2005, the festival has grown and now welcomes over 200,000 visitors across the city over two nights. The festival brings together local, national and in More

Bridges of Light 2026, Worcester

Bridges of Light is back with an exciting new programme for 2026. Bridges of Light is a two-day light festival celebrating Worcester’s communities, creativity and collaboration. From 6 – 9pm on Wednesday 28 and Thursday 29 October, the city centre will come alive with high-quality light installations, interactive artworks, and immersive experiences. More