Belfast TradFest has announced two more headline acts for its 2026 festival, with Four Men and a Dog and Cherish the Ladies joining the programme ahead of the full line-up launch later this month.
The traditional music festival will return to venues across Belfast from 26 July to 2 August 2026. Organisers have also unveiled the official festival poster, offering a first look at the upcoming event.
Four Men and a Dog will perform at Mandela Hall on Saturday 1 August at 1pm. The group is known for combining traditional Irish music with influences from jazz, rock and blues and has been a prominent name on the folk and traditional music scene for decades.
Irish-American ensemble Cherish the Ladies has also been confirmed for the festival. The Grammy-nominated group will open the headline concert series with a performance at Mandela Hall on Sunday 26 July at 1pm. The band has built an international following through its mix of traditional Irish music, vocals and live performances.
The newly announced acts join a programme that already includes Solas, Flook, Michael McGoldrick Big Band, Kim Carnie, Peter Street, Cuas, Barry Kerr, Bríd Harper and Cúig. The full Belfast TradFest 2026 programme is due to be revealed on 25 June.
Festival organisers said ticket demand has been strong ahead of the official launch. The event is expected to feature a range of concerts, music sessions, workshops, talks, screenings and cultural activities across the city.
Dónal O’Connor, Artistic Director of Belfast TradFest, said the addition of Four Men and a Dog and Cherish the Ladies reflects the festival’s commitment to showcasing established traditional music acts alongside a diverse international programme.
Now entering its eighth year, Belfast TradFest has become one of Ireland’s leading traditional music festivals, attracting artists and audiences from across Ireland and overseas.
The festival is supported by organisations including the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Belfast City Council, Tourism NI, Ulster University, Maritime Belfast, Cathedral Quarter BID, Linen Quarter BID and Cruit Éireann | Harp Ireland.
Tickets for headline events are available now via belfasttraditionalmusic.com.