Things to do this May Bank Holiday Weekend

The Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival returns from the 01 – 11 May with over 90 live events across Belfast’s City Centre and beyond! Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival will animate the city centre with an 11 day celebration of live music, comedy, theatre, spoken word, literature, eclectic performance and street art.

Festival of Fools is a jam-packed long weekend of circus performances, featuring breathtaking acrobatics, gut-busting comedy and jaw-dropping juggling. There are over 50 performances taking place on the streets of Belfast City Centre and Cathedral Quarter this May Bank Holiday weekend.

The Moy Park Belfast City Marathon is one of the leading marathons in the UK and Ireland and is an AIMS certified race. The race will start at Stormont at 9am and finish in Ormeau Park on Sunday 4th May 2025. The Belfast event is renowned for the incredible local support so get down and join the crowd to cheer everyone on!

Hit the North Street Art Festival returns with some of the world’s finest artists. Enjoy this programme of events taking place across the bank holiday weekend as part of Hit the North with their infamous Block Party taking place on Sunday!

Celebrate May Day at the Ulster Folk Museum on the May Bank Holiday, a day is full of traditions, superstitions and tales of mischievous fairies! Visit their exhibition houses adorned with yellow flowers to fend off the fairies, tie a ribbon on the fairy tree for luck and listen to folklore tales. Watch craft demonstrations by their talented makers, listen to traditional music and make your own flower crown with Sow Grateful made with flowers grown on their local nature-friendly flower farm.

Join Montalto Estate for their Magnificent May Weekend – the perfect family day out filled with exciting activities for all ages. On Sunday, enjoy garden games and family-friendly fun at the Woodland Play Park, with train rides available to explore the beautiful Trails and Gardens. Discover a vibrant Spring Market in The Carriage Rooms on Monday, featuring beautifully handcrafted items from talented local artisans. They’ll also have live music, a mouth-watering BBQ in the Walled Garden, and a variety of breakfast and lunch options in the Café to make your day even more memorable.

Join in Larkin’s Square for a family fun day celebrating international solidarity for workers’ rights. Following the March & Rally departing from Writers’ Square at 12.30 there will be free drop in art workshops, art exhibitions and music from 2pm, including Villers and the Villains, Beyond Skin, CQAF artists, DJ Judas and Chidambaram Samba band.

Step outside and discover parts of Belfast on foot. No matter your interests, you will find a walking tour for you! Themes include political and historical, food and drink, nature and wildlife, and free self-guided tours.