Belfast Book Festival, 13-19 June
Based at the Crescent Arts Centre, the Belfast Book Festival is intent on capturing the literary energy of the city in a week-long celebration of the writer and the reader. There will be poetry, prose, nature, history, memoir, crime and all points in-between. Featuring well-known writers such as David Peace and Ciarán Carson, the festival will also give a voice to Northern Ireland's new writers, as well as offering a wide-ranging programme of classes, films and live events throughout the week.
• belfastbookfestival.com, crescentarts.org
Pick'n'Mix Festival, 17-19 June
This pop-up theatre and dance festival offers a bag full of sugary treats. Based in Queen's University's Brian Friel theatre and rehearsal studio, there will be a programme of staged readings, mini plays and dance performances showcasing Northern Ireland talent. A farcical Cooking with Elvis (Bruiser theatre company); children shows (Cahoots); up to the minute satire (Tinderbox); and Requiem for the Disappeared (opera by Ransom).
• Tickets £5 (there are some double-dip offers – two shows for the price of one), facebook.com/picknmixfestival
Open House Festival, 22-26 June
The popular Open House Festival, which fuses American roots with Irish traditional music, is in its 13th year. It has grown out of its "two pubs and a Cathedral" nickname to become a major folk and roots festival, attracting visitors from across the Atlantic and mainland Europe. Headline acts like Laura Marling, Fleet Foxes, Villagers and the Low Anthem are already confirmed, and will be playing in Custom House Square – there's also a soon-to-be-launched programme of intimate gigs in Cathedral Quarter pubs.
• Ticket prices vary, openhousefestival.com
Rose Week, 13-17 July
Get outside and walk around Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park to enjoy the vivid sights and smells of the rose gardens. Take a relaxed wander around the 45,000 rose blooms of all varieties, accompanied by gentle harp music. There are competitions and activities for children as well as live music each afternoon from local brass, flute and jazz bands. And if the weather's too hot or showery, step inside a marquee for a nice cup of tea.
• Free, belfastcity.gov.uk/roseweek
Belfast Pride, 23-30 July
Having started out 21 years ago as a Saturday afternoon parade with 100 participants, Belfast Pride has grown into a week-long programme of LGBT cinema, debates and club nights. The march is now the largest cross-community parade in Belfast – bigger than St Patrick's Day! – attracting upwards of 15,000 spectators (and a small number of fervent protesters). The main march leaves Custom House Square at 2pm on the 30th and snakes rowdily through the city centre before returning for the Party in the Square with bands, cabaret, drag, feathers and fireworks as well as family-friendly activities for children beside the Lagan Lookout, away from all the noise and alcohol.
• belfastpride.com
Féile an Phobail, 28 July-7 August
Scattered across West Belfast venues, Ireland's largest community festival offers an annual treat of good value music, comedy, drama and speech, as well as sports. Gen up on local history by taking a walking tour through a city cemetery led by a former lord mayor, Tom Hartley. See new plays performed in novel venues (previous "sets" have included the back of a black taxi). Hear traditional and pop music in venues large and small. The much-anticipated West Belfast Talks Back debate brings politicians from all traditions together to answer the questions from the audience.
• Details to be announced on feilebelfast.com
Hat Fitz and Cara Robinson on Lagan Legacy barge, 30 July
The marriage of a local County Down chanteuse and drummer to an Australian blues musician has created a blend of blues well worth hearing in deep south Belfast. Moored on the river Lagan near the Waterfront Hall, the Lagan Legacy barge is a maritime museum and coffee shop by day and eclectic venue by night.
• 8pm, tickets £10, laganlegacy.com
Classic Films at the Waterfront, 5-7 and 12-14 August
If you find yourself puddle-hopping in Belfast and looking for some indoor entertainment, Belfast's Waterfront is screening family-friendly classics (Grease, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, You Only Live Twice, ET) for £3 in its riverside auditorium from mid-afternoon to evening. You can even sit back and take in the whole Lord of the Rings trilogy, starting at noon on 13 August for £8. And while you're there, check out the two photography exhibitions on the ground and second floors.
• waterfront.co.uk
Belsonic, 16-27 August
This is Belfast's outdoor music festival, with nightly performances to an audience of 5,000 in Custom House Square, under the shadow of the 28-storey Obel Tower. Headline acts booked for 2011 include Elbow, the Specials, Primal Scream (performing their critically acclaimed Screamadelica LP in its entirety) along with Dizzee Rascal and Plan B. Book early before tickets sell out.
• Tickets around £32 per gig belsonic.com
Belfast Mela, 28 August
Not content with indigenous cultural commemorations and parades, Belfast now takes over the city's Botanic Gardens (near Queen's University) for an annual cross-cultural "gathering". There's world music spanning bhangra to Bollywood, gospel to Irish trad, and a spot of Polish electronica along with circus acts, dance, fashion, henna and interactive arts for children. The World Food Market offers flavours from eastern Europe to south-east Asia. Arrive before mid-afternoon to avoid long queues at the entrance to this colourful celebration of diversity.
• Noon to 8.30pm, £1 entrance to the main Mela, belfastmela.org.uk
Compiled by Alan Meban (alaninbelfast.blogspot.com)
