12th January 2026
Roe Valley Arts & Cultural Centre partners with the Steinbeck Festival for 2026 celebration
Roe Valley Arts & Cultural Centre is proud to partner with the Steinbeck Festival this year. This year's festival continues to celebrate not only John Steinbeck’s work and life, but also his enduring legacy, and his connection to Limavady.
Running from 6–27 February, the festival offers a rich programme of talks, music, theatre, storytelling, and exhibitions.
The festival opens on 6 February with broadcaster Mark Carruthers in conversation with award-winning journalist Sam McBride and Author of For and Against a United Ireland (co-authored by Fintan O’Toole). Music fans can enjoy an unforgettable cabaret-style evening with Little John Nee, blending song, theatre, and storytelling in a performance inspired by a dream and rooted in local tradition, on 20 February.
John Steinbeck’s life and writings take centre stage throughout the festival, with Dr Linda McKeown exploring The Winter of Our Discontenton 7 February, offering insights into the social and historical context of this often-overlooked novel. For younger audiences, the Of Mice and Men GCSE programme on 18 February introduces pupils to Steinbeck’s local connections, followed by a screening of the 1992 film adaptation, accompanied by live period music.
The festival also celebrates local creativity through storytelling, poetry, and visual arts. Highlights include the Dustbowl Photography Exhibition – This Land Was Made For You & Me, opening 14 February, which features 20 selected entries from this year’s competition, and The Steinbeck Connection, a children’s book cover exhibition showcasing imaginative designs by local primary school pupils, opening 21 February.
Live performance and spoken word feature prominently. Audiences can enjoy an Evening with Local Storytellers and Poets on 18 February, or the festival’s vibrant finale, Voices from a Far Field, on 26 February, featuring music, poetry, and storytelling in English, Irish, and Ulster Scots. Art lovers can look forward to Twelve Paintings, a conversation between Mark Carruthers and Colin Davidson on 27 February, offering a rare opportunity to see some of Davidson’s most celebrated works.
From immersive talks and workshops to cabaret evenings and exhibitions, the 2026 Steinbeck Festival promises to be a thought-provoking and engaging celebration of creativity, literature, and local heritage.
For tickets and event details, visit www.roevalleyarts.com or call 028 7776 0310.
Steinbeck Festival Events at Roe Valley Arts Centre
EXHIBITIONS
STEINBECK DUSTBOWL PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION – This Land Was Made For You & Me| 14 February – 21 March | Exhibition Launch: Saturday 14 February | 11.30am | All welcome
THE STEINBECK CONNECTION – Children’s Book Cover Exhibition| 14 February – 21 March | Exhibition Launch: Saturday 21 February | 10.30am| All welcome
EVENTS
MARK CARRUTHERS IN CONVERSATION WITH SAM MCBRIDE | Friday 6 February | 8pm (Doors 7.30pm) | Tickets £15 | Unreserved tiered seating
A TALK BY DR LINDA MCCKEOWN – The Winter of Discontent| Saturday 7 February | 12 noon | Free admission but booking essential
OF MICE AND MEN – SECONDARY SCHOOLS G.C.S.E PROGRAMME | Wednesday 18 February | 9.30am – 1pm | Free admission but booking essential | Unreserved tiered seating
AN EVENING WITH LOCAL STORYTELLERS AND POETS | Wednesday 18 February | 8pm (Doors 7.30pm) | Free admission but booking essential | Cabaret style, BYOB
LITTLE JOHN NEE – Limavady: I Took a Trip, The Trip Took Me | Friday 20 February | 8pm (Doors 7.30pm) | Tickets £15 | Cabaret style, limited bar
VOICES FROM A FAR FIELD | Thursday 26 February | 8pm (Doors 7.30pm) | Free admission but booking essential | Cabaret style, BYOB
TWELVE PAINTINGS – MARK CARRUTHERS & COLIN DAVIDSON | Friday 27 February | 8pm (Doors 7.30pm) | Tickets £15 | Unreserved tiered seating
