WellFest NI will take place at Belfast’s Ormeau Park on September 12-13, 2026, with Newry-born fitness influencer Maeve Madden and Newtownards’ world champion gymnast Rhys McClenaghan leading the line-up.
The festival will also feature Owen O’Kane, Belfast-born therapist to Lewis Capaldi and bestselling psychotherapist, who will deliver inspiring talks on mental health and resilience, and Dr Rebekah Jade, a yoga and breathwork expert who has previously taught yoga to the England women’s football team.
Ellen Keane, Irish Paralympic swimmer and gold medallist, will also join the bill.
Head of WellFest Sarah King, who is a Belfast native herself, said that the city provided the “perfect setting”.
House of VOGA workouts at WellFest
She said: “It’s going to be our tenth festival in Dublin this coming May. And after every single festival, we are inundated with [the question] ‘Why is this not on very month?’.
“We’re obviously very unique in the fact that we are a festival, but you walk away feeling much better than whenever you arrived, you know. You could do it every month. That’s the type of it — so inspiring and positive.
“We’ve been looking at a couple of different locations. I am obviously from the north myself, and I’ve just noticed the growth in gyms and studios and run clubs. It’s just a hive in the city at the minute. I think it’s just come on leaps and bounds in terms of health and wellbeing.
“We just highlighted it as a goal, and we have been talking to the [Belfast City] council for the last two years. And we did really have our hearts set on Ormeau Park, just given the location and how central it is — obviously the marathon ends there too.”
The announcement comes in the same week that Belfast has been officially named a European City of Sport for 2026, which Sarah thinks ties in nicely.
“Ellen Keane actually said that it was in Northern Ireland that she started her whole athletic career. She was just kind of raving about how accessible facilities are within Belfast and thinks it’s much more accessible than you would find down south, which is just a testament to the city.”
Newry native Maeve Madden
Sarah added: “I know I’ve attended yoga workshops for maybe, like, three hours, and I’ve paid 70, 80 or 90 quid for them. Our weekend tickets are priced at £65, and that gets attendees access to both days.
“They can attend as many talks or yoga classes, workshops, meditations — all within that. So it’s really good value for money to come and learn and be inspired by professionals within their field.”
And the most popular session within the annual WellFest agenda?
“It’s hard to choose,” said Sarah.
“We have House of VOGA coming, so that’s like a high-energy, power-posing yoga class.
“They all get dressed up in 1980s gear, and it’s all done to Madonna and 1980s tracks, so it’s kind of doing extra yoga poses, but also ‘voguing’ and it’s just really fun.
“It’s so different, and not like the kind of class that you would get in the studios. It’s just quite a unique experience!”
Vogue Williams, Joe Wicks and Dr Hazel Wallace (aka the Food Medic) energise audiences at day one of WellFest Ireland 2024. Pic: Marc O’Sullivan
News Catch Up – Thursday 27 November
Other local regional talent announced for WellFest Belfast includes former Gladiator contestant and now strength coach Glenn Wilkinson; fitness trainer Kathryn McKinstry; registered dietitian and sports nutritionist Cáoileánn Conway; breathwork therapist Carla McGreevy; the Kilted Yogi Finlay Thomas Wilson; Traitors Ireland winner and footballer Vanessa Ogbonna, with many acts more to be announced.
The Belfast WellFest event follows the flagship two-day Dublin event at IMMA, Royal Hospital Kilmainham in May, and marks a major milestone as the festival celebrates its 10-year anniversary.
WellFest NI pre-sale has already begun, while general release starts Monday, December 1. Tickets are available via WellFestNI.com