Queen’s Quay and Titanic Quarter
Celebrating the city’s unique maritime heritage, you can expect plenty of exciting free entertainment for all ages. Enjoy visiting ships, live music, Q Radio roadshow, arts and crafts, amazing street theatre and lots more free family fun.
It’s so easy to get around with a free Maritime Festival shuttle bus, operated by Translink, running between the City Centre and Queen’s Quay, or hop on board the Wee Tram to take you down to Titanic Quarter.
Titanic Quarter Entertainment
Join us for an action packed weekend celebrating our waterfront heritage & seafaring traditions at the Belfast Titanic Maritime Festival 2017. From a Big Titanic Pop-up Picnic to a seafood street food market, from wooden boats to model boats, nautical walking tours to Port to Starboard talks. Our festival invites visitors to explore a spectacular heritage site and enjoy music, games, interactive exhibits, roving performers and lots more.
The ‘BIG Titanic Picnic’ (Friday 2pm to 7pm, Saturday & Sunday 11am to 6pm)
The ‘BIG Titanic Picnic’ will be popping up next to SS Nomadic, visitors can relax and enjoy a delicious picnic whilst watching a mix of maritime activity including live music, Titanic mascots, stilt walking pirates and games for kids and the big kids at heart. The Hamilton Dock will be full of maritime flavour with its very own ‘NI Pop-up Street Food Market’. Each trader has been handpicked for their awesome food and epic vans, trucks & stalls. Visitors can sample the different stalls during the festival, knowing that everything is locally sourced and freshly prepared to ensure a tasty lunch. There will be plenty of picnic tables available.
LIVE Cooking at Hamilton Dock (Saturday & Sunday 12noon to 5pm)
Come and watch our local chefs, Niall McKenna from James Street South, Titanic Belfast’s Alastair Fullerton & Gareth Wilson, Cyprus Avenue’s Richard McCracken, and Holohan at the Barge’s owner chef Calvin Holohan, host some spectacular cooking demonstrations. Local TV / radio Presenter Siobhan McGarry will be compering the event and there will be opportunities to sample dishes and ask as many questions as you like during the demos.
Maritime Marvels on the Slipway (Saturday & Sunday 12noon to 4pm)
Visitors will find the very finest examples of boatbuilding skills on display, demonstrations, exhibits, and traditional arts and crafts as well as many other hands-on family and children’s activities in our maritime marquee on the historic Titanic Slipways.
Live demos & exhibitions include:
- Traditional Rope-makers NI will demonstrate how ropes were made, from raw materials before the Industrial Revolution to the creation of cordage, used by the large sailing ships to harness the wind. There will be traditional boat makers on hand to demonstrate building techniques and wood working skills.
- Meet the HMS Caroline team at the Belfast Maritime Festival and find out more about what this five star visitor attraction has to offer. Explore the history of the ship and learn about what life was like for the crew over 100 years ago through hands on activities including knot tying and object handling. Listen to tales of pirate cats at their interactive storytelling session (Saturday only) and make sure to take a picture with the ‘HMS Caroline Band’ at the selfie station!
- Exhibitors will include Lagan Search & Rescue, Belfast Titanic Society, Great Lighthouses of Ireland, Lagan Legacy and a few more in the mix.
- Watch out for our flashmobs with Ajendance.
- And for the little ones there will be maritime craft making with Clayrazy, Balloon modellers & a dressing up section.
- Out on the slipways there will be Model Boat racing in our temporary Titanic pool.
- And don’t miss the live maritime themed street art with our local graffiti artist, plus a series of BMX & Parkour demonstrations on the Titanic Slipways.
Port to Starboard Talks
There will be a series of talks taking place during the course of the festival which will focus on maritime heritage, sail training, and seafaring traditions, along with a magical Immersive Storytelling Experience for the kids, Prince Caspian and The Voyage of The Dawn Treader.
There’s also a chance to explore & enjoy our maritime heritage on one of the following tours. These tours are all free of charge but booking is essential.
- Titanic Seafaring Walking Tours An enthusiast guide will transport you back in time 100 years to when Harland and Wolff was the busiest shipyard in the world, allowing you to walk in the footsteps of the thousands of men who built these legendary ships. During this 30 minute speedy historic encounter you will explore the spot where Titanic was constructed, and learn about the SS Nomadic, the Drawing Offices & the Slipways. Saturday & Sunday at 12, 1pm, 2pm, 4pm.
- Maritime Photo Walks – Become a Titanic inspired photographer on our snappy maritime photo walk. Learn lots of top tips & techniques while capturing the colour of the maritime festival. Learn how to highlight subjects in a busy setting and see the world in a different light, and learn about Titanic Quarter’s Maritime Heritage along the way. Suitable for all levels, and you can even use your iPhone. Saturday & Sunday at 12, 2pm & 4pm.
- Titanic’s Dock & Pump-House Tours – This is your chance to explore the World’s only authentic Titanic Landmark! Visit the last place Titanic rested on dry group and uncover the maritime history of Titanic Quarter. Descend 44ft to the bottom of Titanic’s Dock and listen as our guide brings the Titanic story to life. Saturday & Sunday 12.30pm, 1.30pm, 2.30pm & 4.30pm.
- Cafe 1404 at Titanic’s Dock & Pump-House will be hosting a BBQ from 12pm – 4.30pm Saturday & Sunday. Also serving up delicious homemade tray bakes, loose leaf teas & locally roasted coffees. Enjoy your lunch on the site where Titanic last rested on dry land & take in this awesome piece of maritime history!
- The Dock Market Pop in and visit over 30 stalls exhibiting handmade products made locally in Ireland and meet the people who have lovingly designed each unique product.
For further information on TQ entertainment, times and booking details please visit www.facebook.com/tqeventsbelfast or call us on 02890 730490.
The full festival programme is organised by Belfast City Council and proudly supported by Tourism NI, Q Radio, Translink & Titanic Foundation. For more information visit www.belfastcity.gov.uk/maritime.