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A ‘must-not-miss’ event on Yorkshire’s LGBTQ+ calendar, Leeds Pride is the biggest event of its kind in Yorkshire. Past years have been the city burst to life with a diverse line up of acts at Millennium Square, a march through the centre of Leeds and the biggest parties until the early hours. Belfast TradFest Jul 23-29: World-class musicians bring the city to life for seven days of concerts, sessions, céilí, music masterclasses, plus The Olllam on July 28th promising a belter in Mandela Hall. belfasttradfest.com Supporting this campaign will be our permanent #Jab4Tourism drive which is focused on our frontline tourism and hospitality staff to increase the province’s vaccination numbers and to save existing jobs in the sector.
The Seven Sisters at Coney Island, Sligo, for Cairde Sligo Arts Festival 2021. Photograph: Emilija Jefremova Insider tip: study the programme beforehand, as the extensive list of workshops, performances, ceremonies and fascinating goings-on could make up an entirely separate festival There’s a rich explosion of festivals in the planning right now, from big hitters to smaller niche pleasures. This isn’t an exhaustive list, but a taster of what’s coming up in 2023′s cultural festivals around Ireland. While some programmes are well along, others will announce details later in the year, so watch their spaces online and on social media. JANUARY Desmond O’Halloran Music Weekend Aug 24-26: Celebrating the Inishbofin maestro with concerts, workshops, arts events and free traditional and folk music trails across island venues and landscapes. Promising an unmissable late summer reverie on the beguiling Connemara island, with contemporary music legends, Galway favourites and exciting new stars. inishbofin.comThough it started off as an industry event – and still attracts a lot of music-biz insiders – The Great Escape is now a must for anyone who loves discovering new sounds. Many of the hottest acts of the past few years played The Great Escape early on, such as Anna Calvi, Django Django and King Krule. It’s a multi-venue event, meaning you can explore Brighton’s many delights as part of the experience. This year will see a digital version of the ultimate fashion industry event, where the world’s top designers showcase their latest collections via catwalk shows, plus curated talks, designer shopping and trend presentations.
First raced in 1829, the Boat Race is one of the oldest sporting events in the world. Watched along the banks of The Tideway, located between Putney and Mortlake in south London, this unique sporting event sees two strong squads of athletes competing against each other. This year’s event will be closed to the public but will be televised. Oxfordshire’s largest food festival brings food stalls, strolling jazz musicians, children’s storytellers and some of the biggest names in the foodie world to Blenheim Palace’s magnificent grounds. Raymond Blanc and MasterChef winners have attended in the past. A spectacular course, often called one of the most challenging races in the world, that takes in stunning beaches and medieval fortresses. Events celebrating the patron saint of Scotland, St Andrew, take place throughout the country. In the past, they have included some of Scotland’s historic attractions offering free entry for the day. Teams competing for this quirky title slip and slide about in lukewarm gravy, and win points for pinning the opposition down in the gloop. The event was started in 2007 and brings out the crowds in force to laugh at the proceedings, while TV cameras and the press often record it for audiences all over the world from Australia to the USA.Brighton Fringe runs alongside Brighton Festival, embracing every art form and supporting artists both new and established. Want to see something that pushes the boundaries of artistic expression? Then come to Brighton & Hove in May! While you’re not attending events, you can explore the Artists’ Open House trails and buy all kinds of art, jewellery and ceramics direct from the artists themselves. An annual one-day yacht race around the Isle of Wight, usually attracting more than 1,700 boats and around 16,000 sailors, making it one of the largest yacht races in the world. Competitors come from all over the world and follow the 50 nautical mile course, which starts and finishes in Cowes. line-up: Elton John, Arctic Monkeys, Guns ‘n’ Roses are headlining, alongside performances from Lizzo and Lewis Capaldi Established in 1947, the Film Festival is renowned for discovering and promoting the very best in international cinema, and for heralding and debating changes in global filmmaking. The festival seeks to spotlight the most exciting and innovative new film talent and brings a mix of red-carpet glamour, innovative and exciting cinematic discoveries and massive audience appeal. A series of professional and junior athletics activities for the Great North Run weekend has been developed over the last few years, using NewcastleGateshead Quaysides as a 'virtual arena'. The run starts in the city centre, winds past several iconic sights, and ends at the sea.
The renowned Hay Festival of Literature and Arts, held annually in a tented village on the edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park, aims to bring together some of the greatest contemporary authors and the most exciting new voices in literature and the arts. Past speakers and performers have included Margaret Atwood, Ian McEwan, Chelsea Clinton, Michael Woolf, Jake Bugg, Laura Mvula, David Walliams, Simon Schama, David Olusoga, Rose McGowan, Dara O'Briain and many more. This special weekend event sees green spaces and urban gardens across London, many of which are usually closed to the public, open up for the public to explore. This Stratford-upon-Avon festival is one of the most significant literary festivals in the UK, attracting thousands of people who share a love of books, writing and reading. Alongside the debates, celebrity author events and workshops that make up the adult programme, there will be a series of educational events designed to entertain and inspire children aged 2 to 18. Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open and Ladies Scottish Open, Renaissance Club, east ScotlandHull's annual flagship arts and culture event, the Freedom Festival, brings five days of entertainment to Yorkshire's waterfront city. Every year Regent's Park transforms into a foodie wonderland for four days of summer eating, drinking and entertainment. Past years saw around 40 of the city's best restaurants dish up their finest dishes for the ultimate alfresco feast, while 200 producers provide a bounty of the best food and beverages from Britain and around the world. This two-day celebration in Liverpool hosts big names in hip-hop, house and pop, while also promoting new talent, musical heritage and cultural diversity. The town of Caerphilly comes to life as people of all ages come to The Big Cheese, a free extravaganza including street entertainers, living history encampments, music, dance, traditional funfair, folk dancing, falconry, fire eating, minstrels, troubadours and much more.
SummerTyne Americana Festival is a popular weekend event that attracts visitors from across the world for a sizzling celebration of Americana music in and around the spectacular setting of Sage Gateshead, on the south bank of the River Tyne. A six-day celebration of LGBT film, including screenings of a series of short films competing for the Best of British Iris Prize. Piping Live! brings more hundreds of pipe bands and soloists to Glasgow, showcasing the best piping from around the world. There are festivals that have a bit of a theme to them and then there’s Boomtown. This wonderland of an event goes so deep into its ever-evolving immersive plot that it’s difficult to know where the story stops and where reality begins, particularly after partying with the gleefully chaotic hordes for a few days. The result is a brilliantly imaginative experience that’s as much about production, performers and being part of the many ‘districts’ as it is about the music, which goes in heavy on beats and bass, alongside dub, reggae, soul, disco and some punky live acts.
Still independent and proudly without sponsorship, Shambala embraces the spiritual side of festival-going more than most, while still offering a full-blown party atmosphere for those who want it. Sustainability has always been a key part of the ethos (in 2016 the festival went meat and fish-free, there’s 100-per-cent renewable power and no single-use plastics), and entertainment-wise you’ll find cabaret, circus performance, poetry, debate and discussion hubs, workshops and much more, while music from over 200 artists is spread across 12 stages.
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