Latest news with #BelfastMela
BBC News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
In Pictures: The Belfast Mela festival begins
A cultural celebration of inclusivity and creativity has begun in Belfast city Belfast Mela was founded in 2006 and attracts thousands of people from all communitiesThe festival kicked off with a carnival parade from Writer's Square to City Hall on Saturday and finishes with a large celebration in Botanic Gardens on Mela Day on 24 August. Mela, a Sanskrit word meaning "to meet", is now one of Northern Ireland's largest arts culminates with Mela Day at Botanic Gardens, where world music, dance, food and art celebrating the city's culture and communities are on display.A full list of festival events can be found here.
Belfast Telegraph
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Belfast Telegraph
Thousands line streets as annual Mela festival brings colour and music to Belfast
The event marked the beginning of the nine-day festival Thousands lined the streets of Belfast on Saturday as the first day of the annual Mela festival got underway in the city. First launched in 2007, the festival is organised by cultural organisation ArtsEkta and brings together music, dance, arts and food from across the world to celebrate Belfast's cultural diversity. Last year's festival attracted a record-breaking crowd of almost 60,000 visitors. This year's programme kicked off with the Mela Carnival, which was held for its fourth consecutive year and was led by Deputy Lord Mayor Paul Doherty. Participants in traditional dress paraded from Writer's Square to City Hall, where a 'Mini Mela' celebration took place, hosted by U105's Carolyn Stewart and UTV's Paul Reilly. Belfast city councillors Séamas de Faoite of the SDLP and the Alliance Party's Micky Murray and Emmet McDonough-Brown also took part in the parade. An outdoor theatre production was also held on the lawn at City Hall, while a series of events also took place across the city's Cathedral Quarter. Several events are also planned across the nine-day span of the festival, which culminates in Mela Day at 12pm on Sunday August 24. Why is the M3 closed this weekend ? Tens of thousands of people are expected to attend the celebration of sights, sounds, tastes and traditions of Belfast's multicultural community. Tickets are required for the Mela Day and are available from the Belfast Mela website.
Scotsman
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
All aboard for a great day out in Belfast Stena Line day trips help you embrace the best Belfast festivals
With a rich history, flavoursome food scene and unique experiences Belfast is a city offering one giant adventure after another. Last summer almost 135,000 people explored this bustling city centre, uncovering its unique charm and character. Titanic Belfast is undeniably the number one visitor attraction in town but every summer the city becomes a cultural haven with an array of festivals offering something for everyone. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... And, thanks to Stena Line, embracing these fantastic festivals has never been easier. The Swedish-owned ferry company is inviting customers to leave their cars, and cares, at home and enjoy an unforgettable day out. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad With so much to enjoy across an action-packed summer, Stena Line has put together an overview of some of the city's best festivals. Belfast TradFest Belfast TradFest, 27 July - 3 August: A UNESCO City of Music Belfast's TradFest features world-class performances from renowned artists like Dervish, Matt Molloy, John Carty and lively pub sessions. Highlights include the annual Titanic Céilí and a diverse program of lectures, film screenings and taster sessions. Belfast Mela, County Antrim; 16 - 24 August: Northern Ireland's largest celebration of cultural diversity, Belfast Mela, returns with its most ambitious programme yet; a vibrant, inclusive festival where communities unite in celebration. The Mela transforms iconic venues and public spaces across Belfast with a rich mix of music, dance, food, art, theatre, wellbeing, and immersive experiences culminating with Mela Day in the city's Botanic Gardens. Belfast Maritime Festival,County Antrim; 6-7 September The city's iconic Titanic Quarter will be transformed into a vibrant celebration of sea, ships and stories as the Maritime Festival returns to Belfast. The waterfront will be a hive of activity, with historic ships moored along the quayside, street theatre, live music, interactive heritage experiences, artisan food markets and family-friendly zones. To book your day trip to Belfast with Stena Line visit
