Belfast’s rich maritime history and spirit of innovation will take centre stage at the Belfast Maritime Festival on Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 September.

HMS Caroline, Belfast, courtesy of National Museum of the Royal Navy

Taking place on the city’s Maritime Mile, there will be activities stretching across Queen’s Quay to HMS Caroline in the Titanic Quarter.

An impressive flotilla of vessels and ships will dock at Queen’s Quay and Belfast Harbour Marina, including historic tall ships such as Granuaile (Irish Lights), Leader, Brian Boru and La Malouine. Visitors will be invited to come aboard to meet the crew and experience life at sea.

There will be live music and pop-up performances, street entertainers and the colourful Belfast Bazaar, featuring the very best local produce and crafts. The first ever ‘Science Street’ on Titanic Slipways will host an array of interactive activities, demonstrations and live shows exploring topics such as navigation, marine biology, climate change and biodiversity.

Titanic Belfast ©Tourism Ireland photographed by Chris Hill

The diverse music programme, which will include over 40 leading musicians from across Northern Ireland, will take place in outdoor venues across the Maritime Mile, celebrating homegrown talents and marking Belfast’s status as a UNESCO City of Music.

Featuring Americana, trad, jazz, opera, bluegrass, classical, indie and folk artists, highlights will include the Maritime Festival Showcase on Saturday 9 September, with four leading singer-songwriters and Northern Ireland Music Prize winners, premieres especially commissioned for the festival, new collaborations and a 30-piece brass band. Then, on Sunday 10 September, visitors are invited to come and experience the power of 25 opera voices performing much-loved classical works together, presented by the award-winning Northern Ireland Opera.

The Big Fish on Belfast’s Maritime Mile courtesy of Tourism Northern Ireland

Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Ryan Murphy, said: “I’m really excited by what’s on offer at this year’s Belfast Maritime Festival - always a very popular event with local families, as well as visitors travelling into Belfast to enjoy what’s on offer.  

“The diverse line-up of free events and activities really brings our maritime and industrial heritage to life, while the sight of ships docking along the spectacular Maritime Mile is always something to be enjoyed.”

SS Nomadic ©Tourism Ireland photographed by Chris Hill

Belfast Maritime Festival has been organised by Belfast City Council and is supported by Tourism NI, delivered in partnership with Maritime Belfast Trust, Belfast Harbour, Odyssey Trust, the Department for Communities and Titanic Quarter Ltd.

Aine Kearney, Director of Events at Tourism NI, said: “Tourism NI is delighted to support the return of the Belfast Maritime Festival, a much-needed post-pandemic boost to the wider tourism and hospitality industry with a projected economic benefit of circa £1.5 million.

“The event is a great opportunity to showcase this key Titanic and Maritime Belfast heritage destination and its wealth of visitor experiences. This immersive event will further awaken the giant spirit in our visitors, igniting their sense of discovery and demonstrating the warm welcome Northern Ireland offers to all.”

Titanic Distillers, Belfast, courtesy of Titanic Distillers

Belfast has a world-famous maritime history. As the home of Harland & Wolff, once the greatest ship builders in the world, the city was the birthplace of many iconic vessels including the renowned RMS Titanic. Today, Belfast Maritime Mile is home to a number of world-class visitor attractions which shine a spotlight on Belfast’s nautical history and the city’s spirit of innovation, from Titanic Belfast and HMS Caroline to SS Nomadic and Titanic Distillers.

If you or your group would like to enjoy a visit to Belfast’s Maritime Mile on a tour of Northern Ireland or the United Kingdom and Ireland, please do contact our friendly team today.