Belfast Maritime Festival 2025 to showcase local flavours and music on the waterfront

(L-R) Laura Killough Copeland Distillery, Maeve Moreland Maritime Belfast Trust, Una Hollywood Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Margaret McKeown Glens of Antrim Potatoes and Lord Mayor Councillor Tracy Kelly.

Visitors to Belfast’s waterfront will enjoy an expanded programme of food, music and entertainment when the Belfast Maritime Festival returns on Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th September 2025.

A brand-new Artisan Producers Market will debut at this year’s festival, celebrating the very best of Northern Ireland’s food scene. Supported by funding from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) through the NI Regional Food Programme, the market will give festivalgoers the chance to meet local producers, sample fresh flavours and learn the stories behind their craft.

From freshly baked goods and sustainably sourced seafood to handcrafted jams, spirits and sweet treats, the market will highlight the diversity and quality of local produce. Interactive experiences will also feature, including demonstrations from Lough Neagh Fisherman’s Co-operative and Ben Vista CSA, a Community Supported Agriculture pilot.

Food, music and entertainment

The new initiative, ‘Slipways Street Food and Sounds’, will bring together live entertainment, music and street food along the quayside. Vendors will serve up dishes made with Northern Ireland-sourced ingredients, while festival stages will showcase both local and international acts.

The line-up includes performances from Joshua Burnside, The High Kings, and a ticketed evening concert from Hothouse Flowers.

(L-R) Maeve Moreland Maritime Belfast Trust, Margaret McKeown Glens of Antrim Potatoes, Lord Mayor Councillor Tracy Kelly, Laura Killough Copeland Distillery, Una Hollywood Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs

Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Tracy Kelly, welcomed the addition of the Artisan Producers Market:

“Belfast City Council is delighted to have support from DAERA for the Belfast Maritime Festival’s Artisan Producers Market. Championing Belfast’s authentic food and drink offering is a key priority in our 10-year tourism plan and local produce is a unique selling point for our city.

“It strengthens our local economy and showcases the incredible quality of our homegrown ingredients that visitors will get to sample over this year’s festival.”

Maeve Moreland, Destination Experience Manager at Maritime Belfast Trust, said the expanded programme reflects the festival’s growing success:

“The Belfast Maritime Festival continues to grow as one of the city’s signature events, attracting tens of thousands of visitors. This year, we are building on the success by offering even more for festivalgoers, with the Artisan Producers Market as an exciting new addition.

“Thanks to support from DAERA, we can showcase the talent, quality and sustainability of our local food producers while creating a vibrant experience along our waterfront. The 2025 festival promises to be its most exciting yet with local food and drink firmly on the menu.”

Robert Hull from DAERA’s NI Regional Food Programme added:

“DAERA is delighted to be actively involved in supporting our Agri-Food industry by promoting high quality and award-winning local produce at Belfast Maritime Festival. This support from the NI Regional Food Programme, will enable people visiting the festival from near and far, to sample freshly prepared, high quality street food. The artisan producers’ market will also provide the perfect opportunity for festival goers to taste, shop and support local.”

A festival for all ages

Alongside the food and drink offering, visitors can enjoy a wide range of activities across the Maritime Mile, including tall ships, family zones, live street theatre, hands-on maritime-themed activities, and music throughout the weekend.

The Belfast Maritime Festival, organised by Maritime Belfast Trust and partners, has become one of the city’s signature events, drawing tens of thousands of visitors each year and celebrating Belfast’s rich maritime heritage.

For full Festival programme tap here.