Summer is drawing to a close and with a long weekend to look forward to it is time to plan how you are going to spend those three precious days off. With everything from fantastic shows and gigs to a fabulous selection of things to see and do there is nowhere better to spend the Bank Holiday Weekend than Belfast.
Belfast Welcome Centre Manager Julie Cochrane said, “Belfast is bursting with lots of exciting things to do and places to visit. From musical extravaganza, Belsonic which sees world class musicians take to the stage at Custom House Square to exciting charity events such as the Colour Run which is taking place in Belfast for the first time this year, there’s lots to choose from making it the perfect time to visit.
“Families, visitors and residents alike, who are looking for inspiration, ideas and information for the Bank Holiday weekend can call into the Belfast Welcome Centre to speak to one of our travel advisors or use the free About Belfast guide, which is available in the Belfast Welcome Centre and at venues across Belfast. Alternatively, the www.visit-belfast.com website has all the latest information on events and attractions across the City and beyond.”
Visit Belfast has suggested some of the many great things to see and do in Belfast for young and old to help you plan your Bank Holiday weekend and make the most of the last of the summer.
Newtownabbey Shoreline Festival
24-26th Aug
Enjoy a free family fun day on the shore of Belfast Lough with live music concerts with Bjorn Identity (Abba Tribute band), Soul Train and Live Classics at Loughshore Park in association with NI Opera. There’ll be plenty of fun for all the family with sand castle competitions, and a family fun-zone featuring bouncy castles, face painting, arts & crafts, archery, climbing wall, slack line and petting farm. For more details visit www.newtownabbey.gov.uk/shoreline
2001: A Space Odyssey in Titanic Dry Dock
23rd August 2013
Join Belfast Film Festival for a mind blowing trip 40 feet under sea level on the site of the Titanic launch. This marks the first ever public event inside the dry dock. The most influential sci-fi film ever made, 2001 will be shown at this historic and iconic venue.
Tickets are priced just £10 and are available from The Belfast Welcome Centre. For further information visit www.visit-belfast.com
Theatre hits: Grease the Musical at the Waterfront Hall – 20 Aug 2013 – 24 Aug 2013)
50 Shades of Red, White and Blue, Grand Opera House – 13-24th August
Visit one of Belfast’s bustling theatres and join the audience at Grease, which is guaranteed to take you back to the days of Rydell High. Or opt for a brand new production in the form of locally-written 50 Shades of Red, White and Blue which tells the story of loveable Maggie Muff and her search for love, featuring laugh-out-loud characters such as big Sally Ann, Sinead the Greener and of course, the mysterious Mr Red White and Blue himself.
Tickets for Grease are priced between £11-£14.50. For more information please visit www.waterfront.co.uk Tickets for 50 Shade of Red, White and Blue are priced between £16.50 – £24.50. For further information please visit www.goh.co.uk
The Colour Run, Titanic Belfast
24th August 2013
Belfast’s Titanic Quarter is set to host to the world’s most colourful 5km run.
Thousands of runners of all shapes, sizes and speeds will start wearing white clothing, a blank canvas for the kaleidoscope of colours they will encounter around the course.
The event’s focus is on healthiness, happiness, individuality and giving back to the community as thousands of participants from across the region plan to use the event to raise money for good causes. At the end of the course runners will be greeted by the Colour Festival where the air is filled with music and stunning coloured powder bursts creating a vibrant party atmosphere. For further information please visit: www.visit-belfast.com
Let’s go batty, Belfast Zoo
24th August 2013
Join Belfast Zoo for a night walk around the zoo with the Northern Ireland Bat Group. Use your bat detector to find the ultrasonic noises of bats which are native to Northern Ireland. The cost of this great evening is just £5. For more information visit: www.belfastzoo.co.uk
Belfast Mela, Botanic Gardens
24-25th August
A feast of world music, dance, fashion, food and fun returns for the seventh annual Belfast Mela, the largest festival of ethnic arts, culture and heritage in Ireland. Visitors will again be treated to the sights, sounds and smells of ethnic origins as one of the North’s flagship arts festivals. This year’s event is jam packed with a show stopping line up featuring music, dance, food, fashion, street theatre, circus and carnival from across the globe, all presented in a high energy, vivid and vibrant day out.
Sunday Treats, Presented by Festival of Fools
25th August 2013
A series of the finest and funniest street theatre shows to be found in Ireland will be happening on Sunday afternoon in the Cathedral Quarter and Belfast City Centre. If you’re the kind of person who likes to laugh and loves a bargain, you would be a fool to miss out on this season of shows. For more information please visit www.foolsfestival.com
BELSONIC, Custom House Square
16-26th August
BELSONIC returns to Belfast’s Custom House Square, delivering an eclectic range of world class musical artists! This year’s all-star cast of headline acts include Basement Jaxx, Ben Howard, The Lumineers, Jake Bugg, Suede, Steve Angello & Bullet for My Valentine & Bring Me the Horizon. Tickets are priced from £27.50. For further information and tickets please visit www.belsonic.co.uk
Celtic Dream, The Europa Hotel
19 Jul 2013 – 26 Aug 2013
Celtic Dream is a breath-taking production with brilliant choreography, phenomenal vocals, astounding musicianship and glittering costumes. The show will take you on an amazing journey of music, song and dance mixing together traditional and modern songs with mesmerising choreographed dance routines. Tickets are priced from just £15 per child (10-16 years) and £18 per adult. For further information and tickets please visit www.visit-belfast.com
Feile An Driochead
22-25th August
This four day Irish Language and Traditional music festival with has everything from sessions, family events, education and traditional music master classes, all topped off with a very special series of concerts from the cream of traditional music talent. For listings, and ticket information visit www.androichead.com
Clandeboye Festival
19-24th August
This year’s Clandeboye festival will include daytime and evening concerts and recitals, with one or two special events, including a Master Class with Michelin Star Chef Paul Rankin and a Fashion Show. These will both feature the rising talents of students from Belfast Metropolitan College and the University of Ulster. The festival will once again welcome international musicians, who will be joined by the next generation of artists as they take part in the festival’s Young Musician Programme. To book, visit the Grand Opera House in person, call 028 9024 1919, or visit www.goh.co.uk
Hillsborough Castle Family Day
25th August
Enjoy village life just a short journey outside Belfast and take part in Hillsborough’s annual Castle Day. With Rodeo Bull rides, a Bungee Run, Gladiator Duel, Sumo Suits, Mega Slide, Bouncy Castles and Assault Course, there’s plenty to keep energetic kids entertained. The action-packed day will also include a Fire Brigade display and orienteering around the Castle, a Puppet Show, kid’s disco, castle tours and weaving displays ‘Junior Fun Tennis’ by Downshire’s coach Stuart McQuiity and ‘Golftastic’ by PGA Golf professional Chris Bell.
Entry costs £10 per family (based on 2 adults & 2 children) + £3 per extra child and £5 per individual 16 yrs and over.
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