Bealtaine Festival, Ireland’s national celebration of arts and creativity as we age, is set to make its highly anticipated return this May, marking a milestone 30th anniversary. An Age & Opportunity initiative, the festival invites arts organisations of all kinds to take part by organising events that capture the evolving, playful, and dynamic spirit of Bealtaine.
Bealtaine Festival is calling on organisations nationwide, big and small, to get involved by planning and registering events in their local areas in May 2025. From music and choral performances to visual arts, theatre, writing workshops, dance, literature, circus, film screenings, storytelling, and more, the programme is open to a wide range of creative expressions. As Bealtaine celebrates three decades this year, event organisers are encouraged to reflect on past festivals or look ahead to the future of Bealtaine and how it continues to inspire.
Celebrating 30 years, Bealtaine Festival is set to host a Big Birthday Tea Party on Sunday, 4th May. Local organisers are invited to join in the celebration by hosting their own tea parties with their communities throughout the month of May, whether it’s a family gathering, an indoor tea dance, or something completely unique.
Continuing the festival’s three-year theme, ‘Lust for Life’, Age & Opportunity encourages event organisers to consider the theme’s relevance and the wide-ranging experiences of Bealtaine’s audiences when planning their events.
This year, the festival will also take a moment to honour the many hundreds of events that have taken place in communities across Ireland since its inception in 1995. Event organisers are invited to share archive photos or videos showcasing the creativity and diversity of past Bealtaine events, which will be featured across the festival’s social media channels in the lead-up to May.
Dr. Tara Byrne, Arts Programme Manager says: “More than ever, in 2025, I hope Bealtaine’s 30th anniversary celebrations will be the catalyst to more of us over 50 finding community and expression through brilliant and challenging arts events.”
How to get involved in Bealtaine 2025:
- Organisations are encouraged to incorporate the 2025 festival theme ‘Lust for Life’. Once the event is ready for promotion, it can be registered on the Bealtaine website.
- Dawn Chorus – organise a Dawn or Dusk chorus with your local choir.
- Tea Party – organise a Bealtaine Birthday Tea Party.
- Have images of past Bealtaine events to share? Get in touch at arts@ageandopportunity.ie
- Attend Bealtaine events locally or at the Festival HQ.
Bealtaine Festival is an initiative by Age & Opportunity, funded by The Arts Council and the HSE. Bealtaine is a pioneering national arts festival that fosters creativity among older people across Ireland through intergenerational collaboration, showcasing older artists, and promoting skills and experiences that can lead to a rich, creative life.
Registration is open from February right through the month of May. Queries regarding the online registration process or the festival in general, can be sent to the Age & Opportunity Arts Administrator on arts@ageandopportunity.ie.
