The Tall Ships Races are coming back to Belfast from 2 to 5 July, welcomed by the Lidl Belfast Titanic Maritime Festival.

This is the third time that the city has hosted Sail Training International’s annual flagship event, having previously welcomed them in 1991 and more recently in 2009.

This year, the vessels will dock along the harbour from Queen’s Quay, beside The Odyssey, to the Pollock Dock area where the first Tall Ships took place back in 1991.

Around 50 vessels will be gracing our shores, from the impressively large Scandinavian square riggers Statsraad Lehmkuhl, Sorlandet and Christian Radich to the vibrant South American naval ships including Guayas (Ecuador) and Cisne Branco (Brazil).

There’s something for everyone at the four day maritime festival from fairgrounds and markets to live musical performances, an array of street theatre and a BBC interactive zone!

Some of the acts to look forward to on the main stage include teen singing sensation, Bailie McConnell and singer-songwriter, Emma Horan. Street performers will be on hand to entertain festival goers throughout the day, with everything from cheeky seagulls and maritime monologues to balancing sailors, stilt-walkers and jugglers!

With continental markets, international bars, a seafood market in Titanic Quarter and vintage afternoon teas on SS Nomadic, Tall Ships Belfast is a food lover’s haven! Host port sponsor Lidl, will also be offering samples of some of their delicious produce.

The event pays tribute to Belfast’s rich maritime heritage with a mix of seafaring activity in Titanic Quarter and beyond, ranging from rope-making demonstrations to interactive archives and walking tours. The Viking Village in the Pollock Dock area will also offer a host of arts and crafts.

The more adventurous visitors can get involved in water sports, archery and tug of war competitions. T13 will also be on site with Titanic-themed urban art and parkour demos.

And activities aren’t just restricted to land and sea. The sky will also come alive during the event with a kite-flying workshop, hot air balloon displays, fireworks on the Saturday night and the famous Red Arrows on the Sunday!

Additional markets and live entertainment will fill the popular Custom House Square and Belfast City Hall will also get in on the act with marine-themed movies on the big screen and maritime-focused City Hall tours. These events will be connected to Belfast Harbour via a special Tall Ships free shuttle service close to the Belfast Welcome Centre run by Visit Belfast.

And of course, there will be an opportunity to board and explore some of the stars of the show – the Tall Ships themselves!

On the final day, you can witness the amazing scene as the ships leave Belfast or view the spectacle from vantage points along the coastline including Cultra, Jordanstown or Carrickfergus. Or why not take your binoculars up to Cave Hill for a birds-eye view of the proceedings?

Whether you’re a previous tall ships visitor keen to relive those magical moments, or you want to experience this unique event for the first time, come along on 2 to 5 July. Make memories this summer!

For more information go to www.tallshipsbelfast.com or follow @tallships2015 on Twitter and @tallshipsbelfast on Facebook and Instagram.