Things to do in Belfast: A Student Guide to the Best Festivals and Events in the City
From art and food to culture and comedy, Belfast has a packed schedule of international festivals, celebrations and events for you to enjoy. Here is just a snapshot.
Out to Lunch Festival
Music, comedy, spoken word and literature-based events kicking off at lunch time.
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Chinese New Year
Dragon dancing and dim sum are the order of the day as Belfast’s City Hall is lit up for the festival.
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NI Science Festival
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Brilliant Corners: Belfast Jazz Festival
Live jazz and a BeanBag Cinema with jazz-inspired films.
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Imagine! Belfast Festival of Ideas and Politics
The annual festival of ideas and politics is packed with gigs, theatre, talks and art.
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St Patrick’s Day
Parades, parties and plenty of Guinness.
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Feile an Earraigh
Traditional music sessions, tours and comedy performances.
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Belfast Film Festival
Film events and screening plus appearances from Hollywood greats like past honouree John Cusack.
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Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival
Music, comedy, theatre, literature, art and a whole lot more.
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Festival of Fools
The laugh-a-minute comedy festival now boasts discount food with a partner event, Festival of Food.
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Belfast City Marathon
The annual May Bank Holiday race attracts over 17,000 runners from around the world.
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Belfast Maritime Festival
A bumper-packed weekend full of maritime-themed family fun, food and frolics.
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Belsonic
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Belfast International Photo Festival
One of the leading International Festivals of photography in the UK features guest talks, workshops and screenings.
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AVA Music Conference and Festival
An Audio Visual Arts Festival that celebrates electronic music and digital visual arts.
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Belfast Book Festival
Top authors and bright young writing talent unite for a varied selection of bookie events across the city.
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Belfast City Blues Festival
Live bands play the blues a selection of the city’s best music venues.
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Belfast Hills Heritage Festival
From dance-fit fun on Divis Mountain to orienteering on Cave Hill, this fitness festival aims to promote the health benefits the Belfast Hills have to offer.
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McCracken Summer Festival
This Irish language festival features events, language classes, singing workshops and concerts.
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Belfast Pride
A range of events reflecting the strength and diversity of the LGBTQ community in Belfast.
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Open House Festival
A hand-picked music and arts festival in Bangor.
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Eastside Arts Festival
An annual summer festival that showcases the brilliant creative talent that lies within east Belfast.
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Woodstock Rhythm & Blues Festival
Music talent from all over the world come to Belfast for the annual music festival.
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Belfast Vital Festival
Martin Garrix, Steve Angello and Zara Larsson are among the first acts to be announced for this year’s music festival.
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Belfast Mela
Arts festival bringing together music, dance, arts and food from across the world.
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European Heritage Open Days
Hundreds of heritage properties open their doors and host free events across Northern Ireland.
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Belfast City Half Marathon
Over 4,000 participants are expected to set off on their 13.1 mile.
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Belfast International Arts Festival
Formerly known as Belfast Festival at Queen’s, is the city’s longest running international arts event.
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Cinemagic Festival
Preview and classic film screenings, competitions, Q&A’s and film and television workshops and masterclasses for young people.
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Twilight Market
Pop-up restaurants, award-winning food producers and chef demonstrations with live music and comedy.
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Outburst Queer Arts Festival
An annual celebration of queer art and performance.
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Belfast Design Week
An industry-led festival featuring events and activities celebrating Northern Ireland’s design heritage and contemporary design scene.
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Sound of Belfast
A festival dedicated to all that is great about local music.
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C.S Lewis Festival
Celebrating the legacy of the Belfast-born writer with talks, lectures, exhibitions, workshops, theatre, poetry and spoken word events and film screenings.
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Belfast Christmas Market
Festive stalls boasting food, souvenirs, hand-painted pottery and animal sculptures from across Europe.
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Photos © Northern Ireland Tourist Board
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