Sounds from a Safe Harbour (SFSH) have announced dates for next year. The festival will return to Cork from September 11 to 14, 2025, in celebration of 10 years since its inception. SFSH25 is set to be an unforgettable experience in the city, which was recently featured in National Geographic’s Top 25 Places in the World to Visit in 2025.

Featuring music, dance, and conversation, the tenth anniversary edition will be led by an extraordinary curatorial team. Festival Director Mary Hickson will be joined by actor Cillian Murphy, Bryce Dessner, and two new collaborators: author Max Porter and artist Billy MagFhlionn.

Since its beginnings, Sounds from a Safe Harbour has grown into a beacon of artistic innovation and community spirit. Past highlights include performances by Lisa Hannigan, The National, Ólafaur Arnalds, Bon Iver, and Feist, showcasing collaborations between choreographers and musicians that transformed intimate spaces across the city.

The festival also witnessed discussions with writers like Max Porter, and artists like Dorothy Cross, with visual art installations located across the city. Sounds from a Safe Harbour has continuously celebrated boundary-pushing art in Cork, from surprise pop-up concerts to large-scale multi-disciplinary productions.

Thanks to Cork’s recent feature in National Geographic’s Top 25 Places in the World to Visit in 2025, it now stands alongside other locations such as Mexico, India, and Guadalajara, showcasing its appeal for visitors of all ages and interests. The only Irish destination to make the list, Cork was praised for its urban renaissance and ambitious developments.

Festival Director, Mary Hickson, said “September 2025 will mark 10 years since Bryce and I started this festival back in 2015. I’m thrilled to be working with these incredible curators to really push the boat out (excuse the pun) to mark this moment. We will celebrate old and new friends and reach into new parts of the city to make deeper connections. We can’t wait to tell you what we have been cooking.”