festivals and fairs belfast

This is a family event which begins with a concert in Jordanstown Park and culminating in a family fun day on the Saturday. Attractions include charity stalls, circus performers, classic car display and puppet shows....

During the middle of the summer there are a variety of some of the most spectacular ships from around the world coming to Belfast. Last year Tall Ships and 2 modern navy vessels were open to viewing by the public including the Tenacious (the largest tall ship built in the UK in the last 100 years) and the Jeanie Johnston (is a replica of one of the most famous ships to sail the Atlantic during the Irish famine)....

Northern Ireland's premier Vintage Fashion & Textile Fair returns to Belfast on Sunday 21st November (11am to 4.30pm) for a vintage shopping extravaganza.

40+ exhibitors will be selling an unrivalled collection of vintage clothing, accessories, jewellery, homewares, small furniture items, vanity ware, textiles and lace, records, toys, games, dolls, bears, collectables and curios, hand made items created from vintage textiles and much, much more!

Live music from the...

The Ballyclare May Fair dates back to 1756 when the Marquis of Donegal granted a deed for the fair to be held on an annual basis as a horse and hiring fair. Today the fair takes in over 100 events spanning eight days. Traditional horse trading fair 21st May can trace its origins to 1722. On the horse trading day traders come from all over Ireland and beyond to buy horses. Dates for 2008 to be confirmed...

Feile an Phobail, Europes largest community arts festival! Offering something for everyone, including nightly entertainment. Comedy night, and international night, debates and discussions, tours exhibitions, concerts and dramas. Festival will be held in August 2008. Specific dates to be confirmed...

This is the celebration of alternate lifestyles and respect for diversity, history and the culture of Belfast’s Gay and Lesbian community. With plenty of events open to everyone, there will be walks, river cruises, talks, photographic exhibitions and of course the Pride Parade with its riot of colours and sounds....

Open House Festival brings the best of traditional, roots and acoustic music and arts to the heart of Belfast, with a quality programme of events based in the city's Cathedral Quarter....

IMPORTANCE OF LOCAL FOOD INDUSTRY PUT IN THE SPOTLIGHT

The importance of supporting the local food industry is being highlighted in a new culinary event guaranteed to tantalize and tickle tastebuds which kicked off this week.

The ‘Great Belfast Food Week’ running from Wednesday 24 to Saturday 27 March – will promote all that is good about local food, its producers and those who bring it to our tables.

Top local chefs such as Paul Rankin, Nick P...