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A spectacular week-long programme of multicultural events is planned for this year’s 19th Belfast Mela Festival, organisers have announced.
It all starts with the magical Mela Carnival on Saturday, August 16, followed by an exciting programme of events across the city all week, before the traditional Mela Day finale from 12noon – 6pm in Botanic Gardens on Sunday, August 24.
Mela Day is always the culmination of the week-long festival, a traditional large-scale one day event at Botanic Gardens, which attracts thousands of attendees over the course of six hours.
New creative community hub opens in the heart of Belfast city centre
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Nisha Tandon, CEO of leading cultural arts charity ArtsEkta which organises the Belfast Mela, joined Mela hosts U105’s Carolyn Stewart and UTV’s Paul Reilly, ArtsEkta artists and young Bollywood dancers Amelia (10) and Aria (6) with drummer Noa (12) in Botanic Gardens this week to announce that tickets for Mela Day are now available to book online.
Nisha said: “Last year, tens of thousands came together to celebrate the rich diversity and vibrant spirit of our people at the Belfast Mela festival. This summer, we’re excited to welcome even more visitors as Mela returns from 16-24 August for a dynamic, week-long celebration that transforms the city into a global stage of colour, rhythm and flavour.
“On Mela Day, Botanic Gardens is transformed into a magical multicultural wonderland — alive with the sights, sounds and aromas of cultures from every corner of the world. From music and dance to art and cuisine, it’s a joyful fusion of traditions that brings communities together in the heart of Belfast.
“With overwhelming demand last year, we strongly encourage early booking for 2025, as only a limited number of tickets will be available at the gate this year.”
Some of this year’s highlights will include:
Mela Carnival – Saturday, August 16, 12pm, City Hall
The city centre will be awash with a kaleidoscope of colour and creativity as Mela Carnival returns to the streets of Belfast.
Bringing together hundreds of participants and artists from across the city and beyond our spectacular carnival parade will fill the streets with vibrant global costumes, pulsating world music and dance and amazing processional sculpture. Round off the afternoon in the Mela Global Village at City Hall grounds with food, music, dance and breathtaking aerial performances.
The parade will leave Writers Square at 12.30pm, and make its way down Royal Avenue ending at City Hall. The event at City Hall will run from 12noon -5pm. No tickets are required for this event
Mela Day – Sunday, August 24, 12pm, Botanic Gardens
This August bank holiday weekend, experience the wonders of the world in our diverse and promising city at Belfast’s beautiful Botanic Gardens.
The Mela transforms the park into a magical global garden filled with the sights, sounds and aromas of nations right around the world. Music, dance, arts and culture come together to create a heady, good humoured atmosphere which invites the world into the heart of our city.
Tickets for Mela Day 2025 are now available to book online via http://www.belfastmela.org.uk. Prices are: General – £12, Concession – £9 and Family – £24, plus booking fee. Children aged 0-4 are free. Find out more about the full Mela Day programme here.
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