ALL DAYTIME SHOWS ARE FREE
BELFAST CITY CENTRE
AMAZING FEATS ON
THE CITY STREETS
STROLL UP!
STROLL UP!
Festival of Fools returns from the
3rd–8th May 2025
Festival of Fools celebrates 20 years of silliness and amazing feats on the streets of Belfast
Come and play!
CHECK OUT OUR 2025 TRAILER!
FoF Evening Programme
Festival of Fools in association with CQAF
CHOP
Lords of Strut
Big Axe. Big Muscles. Big Existential Horror. A real man. A Bro's Bro. A macho & Cool man who chops wood. Because chopping wood is what real men do. The world is burning, the birds are gone, and the only solution? More chopping. But no matter how much wood is split, it’s never enough. The brain won’t shut up. The cracks start to show. And if the chopping stops... then what? CHOP is a violently stupid and stupidly violent deep dive into fragile egos, environmental collapse, and the absurdity of existence. Expect big laughs, real danger, and at least one existential crisis (probably yours).
Show Date: 7th May
Show Time: 19:00
Price: £10 (£7.50 Concession)
Venue: MAC Belfast
Age guidance 14+
Contains Warning: contains some swearing and partial nudity (and a lot of chopped wood)
VARC
Emmen Jude Donnelly
Combining physical performance and immersive installation, VARC - Visual Audio Radical Circus transforms a warehouse on Gordon Street into a stage for bodies exploring the possibilities of physical space, giving permission for provocative play on the ground and in the air!
VARC will bring together a cast of multidisciplinary circus artists into a uniquely curated space, each brimming with technical talent in aerial performance, with the ability to evoke within their artform, testing limits and stunning you with captivating execution.
Their work will be complemented by an original score from Belfast sound artist Marty Byrne.
This is a collaborative work, curated and produced by Emmen Jude Donnelly, one of Ireland’s most well-respected aerial arts practitioners. The making of this show has been supported by the 2025 CQAF/FOF bursary for circus.
"A strobe flickers on a dangling body as it twists & writhes in the air, daringly contorting to the pulsating heavy rhythmical beat."
Show Date: 7th + 8th May
Doors: 20:00
Show Time: 20:15
Price: £15 (£12 Concession)
Venue: Circusful
Age guidance 16+
Contains Warning: Contains flashing images
COME AND JOIN OUR FAMILY HUB AT 2 ROYAL AVENUE WITH
CIRCUSFUL CORNER
PERFORMANCE
WORKSHOPS
INFORMATION
Join us as we take over our favourite city centre venue with performances by highly skilled and talented young people, professionals and emerging artists.
Try out some circus skills for yourself in our drop in workshops.
Activities will be happening:
Sat, Sun: 12:00 – 17:30
Mon: 12:00 – 16:30
Schedules announced on the day
Suitable for all ages
PRODUCERS NETWORKING MORNING AT FESTIVAL OF FOOLS
ORGANISED BY PROMENADE IRELAND
Date: Sunday, 4th May 2025 Time: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Venue: The MAC, Belfast Room: The Works
Are you a producer, artist, or arts professional looking to deepen your understanding of creative production, touring, and making your career more sustainable? Join us for Promenade’s Producers Networking Morning at Festival of Fools 2025, a unique opportunity to learn, connect, and gain insights from industry experts. Whether you are starting out or already established, this gathering will offer valuable discussions, mentorship, and networking opportunities to support your professional journey.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
● Gain valuable insights from experienced industry experts on sustainable touring and production models.
● Connect with producers, artists, and key figures in the arts sector.
● Learn about the creative process, production management, and best practices for a successful career in production.
● Hear from inspiring professionals and partners in the field.
● Benefit from tailored mentoring sessions to expand your network and receive personalised guidance.
SCHEDULE
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM - Panel Discussion on Touring & Career Sustainability: Industry professionals within Ireland and internationally will share their experiences and insights on touring, best practices, and strategies for career sustainability.
11:30-11:45 AM - Introducing ISACS International Delegates:
Lucy Medlycott, Director of ISACS, will provide an overview of Culture Ireland and its role in supporting international touring. She will also introduce the international delegates, who will each share a brief introduction to their respective organisations and festivals:
Kresanna Aigner – Findhorn Bay Arts (Moray, Scotland)
Dan Bartha – Radu Stanca National Theatre (Romania)
Juliet Hardy – Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council (UK)
11:45 AM – 12:45 PM - Mentoring Sessions & Networking:
Enjoy tea, coffee, fruit, snacks, and pastries while connecting with fellow attendees. Also sign up for 1-1 mentoring sessions with Kath Gorman (Promenade), Alex Maronna (Promenade), Kevin Wratten (Split Second),
Flora Herberich (Festival of Fools) – 20 minute sessions.
12:45 PM – 1:00 PM - End of Event & Outdoor Performance:
We’ll wrap up and lead participants to an exciting outdoor performance of
Simple Cypher at St.Anne’s Square.
WHY ATTEND?
This event offers a rare chance to gain insights from experienced producers, receive tailored advice, and build connections within the industry. Whether you are looking for guidance on touring, new collaborations, or insights into sustainability, this gathering will provide practical takeaways and valuable conversations.
Festival of Fools is the largest festival of free-to-access circus and outdoor performance in Northern Ireland. Artists from around the world feature alongside the best of locally based talent.
All daytime shows are free to attend. Evening show tickets can be booked via foolsfestival.com.
If it rains (it won’t, of course), keep your eye on our socials and we’ll update you on where you can see shows inside.