News

2012 Festival Dates announced

12/Jan/12

The 2012 Festival will run from 3 May to 7 May. An exciting festival is being predicted and sneak previews and information will start emerging over the next few weeks

Festival of Fools nominated in Ni4kids Family Awards

09/Dec/11

The Festival of Fools has been nominated as the Best Family Event in the Ni4kids Family Awards and will have a short feature in the Christmas / New Year issue out 7 Dec.

Families and Ni4kids readers from across NI are asked to vote for their favourites over a range of 13 categories. You can still nominate Festival of Fools and tell them why you love the festival so much. The winners will be selected by a judging panel after the closing date of 23 March 2012. The awards will be presented in the new Titanic Belfast building on Friday 11th May 2012.

"The Ni4kids Family Awards are in recognition of the people, organisations and businesses that go above and beyond to support families in Northern Ireland."

Ni4kids magazine is distributed to families via primary schools, nurseries, and is available to pick up at over 250 locations including major shopping centres, tourist info centres, Ikea, W5, the Waterfront, Odyssey cinemas. In Belfast City Centre you can pick a copy up at the Belfast Welcome Centre.

Shortlisted for Best of Festival Marketing Awards

10/Nov/11

In November we were one of 3 festivals that made the shortlist for the Carlton Best of Festival Marketing Awards in the Best Programme and Best Flyer sections. Unfortunately we didn't come back with the silverware this year, but we'll keep up the hard work to bring you a fantastic festival in 2012.

To see who else was nominates you can click here.

Festival of Fools 2012

14/Sep/11

Before you lament the end of Summer - it's officially over now that Sunday Treats season is complete - rest assured that the Festival of Fools team is busy preparing the 9th edition. So the dates for your diary are Thursday 3rd May to May Day Bank Holiday Monday 7th May, promising the highest standard of international street theatre talent to which you have become accustomed.

12th July set to bring laughter to Streets of Belfast

11/Jul/11

Starting at 12.30pm on Tuesday 12th July, Belfast's Cornmarket will be ringing with laughter and applause for a solid four hours ending at 4.30pm The Festival of Fools will be staging non stop shows starting every half an hour from Turbo Jonez, That Man, Lords of Strut and Dansko Gida (not necessarily in that order)

Scrumptious Sunday Treats

09/May/11

Fancy something special on Sundays? Maybe you deserve one of our Sunday Treats. Why not waltz your way down to the Cathedral Quarter for the afternoon and watch some quality street theatre in the serene surroundings of Cotton Court? From Sunday 15th May - Sunday 28th August, with shows at 2pm and 4pm, you can experience death defying aerial feats from the Barren Carrousel and Tumble Circus, supercharged breakdance from the maestro of spin - Turbo Jonez, surreal clowning from Dansko Gida, mesmerising manipulation from That Man, and a hula-hooping granny from Cirque du Sally. More to be announced.

Belfast Circus School are going to present a very special Village Fete on the grounds of City Hall on Sunday 26th June from 1pm-4pm.

And because the shows are free of charge, you’ll have that wonderful warm feeling that makes you feel like enjoying yourself.

Check out the what's happening page for line-up. See you there!

Cats have a new home today

01/May/11

A slight change to the bill today. Our Cats are exploring beyond City Hall today and will be appearing at Cotton Court at 1pm and Saint Anne's Square at 4pm.

Festival of Fools needs you!

12/Apr/11

Our Festival of Fools would not be so successful if it wasn’t for our wonderful team of volunteers that help keep the events running smoothly each year so that all the family can enjoy! This is a great opportunity for some valuable volunteering whilst watching top quality entertainment.

Are you free to help steward at this event?

What do you give? 4-6 hours per day, minimum 1 day

What do you get?
In return for your generosity of time and hard work you will receive our gratitude and the eternal gratitude of the public, some fresh air and infectious laughs, a highly sought after Festival T-Shirt and an invite to the end of festival party!

Where is it? Belfast City Centre and Cathedral Quarter

Volunteers are required from Friday 29th April to Monday 2nd May.

• Friday 29th April: Volunteers needed 11.15am – 5pm.
• Saturday 30th April: Volunteers needed between 10.15am – 6pm
• Sunday 1st May: Volunteers needed between 12.15am – 6pm
• Monday 2nd May: Volunteers needed between 11.15am – 5pm

Please get in touch if you want to find out more! Contact sarah@foolsfestival.com or call 028 90 236 007

We invite you to a different kind of street party

08/Apr/11

It’s not every year you get a bonus bank holiday. We thought you might appreciate a little help celebrating it in style. That’s why we have arranged a special day of amazing extra entertainment for you. From 1pm through to 6pm on Friday 29th April, you can enjoy back to back street shows in Saint Anne’s Square in the heart of Belfast.

Come down and celebrate a fantastic day in Belfast’s newest public square. Share the Love.

All this sensational street theatre is free to see in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter courtesy of support from the PEACE III Programme administered by Belfast City Council which aims to create shared cultural space in the city.

Timetable Friday 29th April

1pm Barren Carrousel

1.30pm Magilligans

2pm Jitterbug Jackson

2.30pm Mr H

3pm Grant Goldie

3.30pm Barren Carrousel

4pm Magilligans

4.30pm Jitterbug Jackson

5pm Mr H

5.30pm Grant Goldie

How are you getting into the Festival?

04/Apr/11

Between 1st March and 31st May, festival goers can take the train and enjoy a night in the city for less. As part of Translink NI Railways ‘Rail Nights Out’ campaign, passengers will receive a third off the cost of a standard return train ticket on any NI Railways service after 9:30am – and can avail of discounts at various restaurants and venues. If you’re travelling into Belfast for Festival of Fools, hop on board the train – and if you’re coming from within Belfast, Translink’s Metro bus service brings you straight into the city centre without the hassle of traffic and parking. Full details at www.translink.co.uk/railnightsout