04 June 2026
Prepare to be inspired, delighted, and transported as Belfast Mela, Northern Ireland’s largest and most vibrant celebration of cultural diversity, returns this August for its 20th anniversary year.
A spectacular week long programme of multicultural events is planned for this year’s special 20th Belfast Mela Festival which starts with the magical Mela Carnival on Saturday 22 August, followed by outdoor theatre spectacle Earth Child on Sunday 23 August at Titanic Slipways and an exciting line-up of Mela Plus events all week culminating in the traditional Mela Day on Sunday 30 August at Botanic Gardens, Belfast.
Nisha Tandon, CEO of leading cultural arts charity ArtsEkta which organises the Belfast Mela says: “From humble beginnings in Botanic Gardens with 200 people in attendance, Mela has captured the hearts of Belfast and beyond. Last year more than 60,000 people attended our festival and we expect even more this Summer, as we are pulling out all the stops to put on the biggest cultural diversity celebration Belfast has ever seen for our 20th birthday.
“On Sunday 23 August to celebrate Mela’s 20th anniversary we are putting on an extra special FREE evening celebration at the Titanic Slipways entitled Earth Child to mark this occasion. Expect an outdoor spectacle like no other with performers soaring above the Belfast skyline from two towering cranes, suspended a thrilling 35 metres in the air.
“With overwhelming demand for tickets last year, we strongly encourage early booking for 2026, as only a limited number of tickets will be available at the gate this year.”
The Belfast Mela is the largest celebration of cultural diversity on the island of Ireland and a cornerstone of Belfast’s cultural calendar — a joyful, unifying experience where people from all communities come together in celebration. From sunrise to sunset, expect a packed programme of immersive, family-friendly, multi-sensory events that celebrate the spirit of inclusion and the beauty of our shared heritage across music, dance, wellness, food, art, storytelling and much more.
Tickets are available online now. Prices for Mela Day 2026 are: General – £12, Concession – £9 and Family – £24, plus booking fee via www.belfastmela.org.uk Children aged 0-4 are free. Earth Child is free to attend, but tickets must be booked in advance. Mela Carnival is free to attend, no tickets required. Full details of MELA+ events will be revealed shortly.
Prepare to be inspired, delighted, and transported as Belfast Mela, Northern Ireland’s largest and most vibrant celebration of cultural diversity, returns this August for its 20th anniversary year. A spectacular week long programme of multicultural events is planned for this year’s special 20th Belfast Mela Festival which starts with the magical Mela Carnival on Saturday 22 […]
Marking Time: ArtsEkta at 20 brings together monthly reflections on the projects, people, and moments that have shaped ArtsEkta over the last twenty years — exploring creativity as a force for connection in a post-conflict and evolving society. Over the past twenty years, artists have been at the heart of Artsekta’s work. From the beginning, […]
29 May 2026
Marking Time: ArtsEkta at 20 brings together monthly reflections on the projects, people, and moments that have shaped ArtsEkta over the last twenty years — exploring creativity as a force for connection in a post-conflict and evolving society. Over the past twenty years, Artsekta’s work has increasingly moved beyond traditional venues and into the streets, […]
26 Apr 2026
