News / 24th February 2026
Thou Shalt Not Have No Idea: Imagine! Belfast Challenges the City to Get Curious
LQ BID helps launch 11th Imagine! Festival at Ulster Hall
Last week, the Imagine! Belfast Festival of Ideas and Politics launched its 2026 programme, in the iconic Ulster Hall with a special event sponsored by LQ BID.
This year’s festival will take place from 23rd – 29th March with over 120 events across 50+ venues in Belfast, including 10 in the Linen Quarter.
The 2026 programme features a high-energy mix of traditional debates, workshops, comedy, music, theatre and film screenings alongside podcasts, walking tours, public gatherings and quizzes, under the theme, ‘Thou Shalt Not Have No Idea.’
The festival will welcome keynote artists and speakers such as Adam Kay, Mhairi Black, Len Pennie, Liam Ó Maonlaí and Tommy Tiernan, exploring themes such as global diversity, reconciliation, migration, philosophy, sustainability and collective action.
Other highlights include new work by Kabosh theatre company, music from Dan Donnelly, comedy from Eleanor Tiernan at the Limelight and brand new animation by viral folk musician and visual artist rarewitch. In another festival first, Weavers Cross will host a series of free drop-in music performances at HALT, delivered in partnership with LQ BID throughout the week.
Speaking at the launch about this year’s theme, Festival Director, Mags White-O’Kane said:
“Our theme this year, ‘Thou Shalt Not Have No Idea’ is a call to curiosity in the face of despair. We’re moving past ambivalence and misinformation toward something better: community connection and shared experience. Beyond just entertainment – we’re inviting audiences to find inspiration and solidarity within the Imagine! programme in an increasingly fractious world.”
Complimentary Tickets For Linen Quarter Employees
As part of our on-going partnership with the Imagine! Festival, we have some complimentary tickets to give away for the following performances. Please email stephen@linenquarter.org to request.
An Audience with Adam Kay Tue 24th March,8-9pm, The Limelight
Eleanor Tierney: An Awkward Age Thur 26th March, 8pm, The Limelight
Rarewitch: Sensory Overload Fri 27th March, 8-10.30pm, Accidental Theatre
