Belfast International Arts Festival is the city's longest-running international arts event. Established in 1962 and originally hosted by Queen's University, it transitioned into a new independent organization in 2015. This nonprofit organization aims to deliver a fresh artistic vision for the event, covering a diverse range of art forms including theater, dance, classical music, visual arts, film, digital arts, and literature.

Alongside the main program, the festival also organizes outreach and education events. Held annually in October, the festival takes place in various venues and locations across Belfast, offering a unique cultural experience. With a mission to be the premier international arts event in Northern Ireland, the festival actively engages both global and local communities, showcasing contemporary arts practice.

By collaborating with partners throughout the city, the festival creates an inclusive environment for audiences to experience transformative aesthetic encounters from world-class artists, thinkers, and leaders. The festival's guiding principles include global connections, accessibility, community engagement, collaboration, and partnership