Belfast Pride has returned to the city with a packed schedule of 150 events spread over 10 days.
The city will welcome vibrant parades, colourful costumes, lively music and community events as part of the main event in the LGBTQIA+ calendar.
The festival runs from Friday July 19 to Sunday July 28 with Pride Day and the centrepiece Pride Parade taking place on Saturday July 27.
This year’s theme is “Love Your Mind”, and organisers said: “Mental health is a subject that affects every person in a multitude of ways.
“Many people reading this will have had experience dealing with mental health issues personally, with a partner, our children, a family member or a friend.
“And poor mental health is something which sadly affects members of the LGBTQIA+ community disproportionately.”
They added: “Our message to every person in our community is that you are loved and that you matter.”
Belfast Pride was officially launched on Friday with an awards ceremony at the Clayton Hotel.
The coming week is jam packed with events taking place across the city.
Family Fun Day in the City Hall grounds
Community events start on Saturday (July 20) at 12pm with a family Fun day on the lawns of Belfast City Hall.
The event promises lots of fun for all the family, including bouncy castles, face painting, and circus performers. Admission is free.
Crafted with Pride
On Sunday, July 21, organisers will host “Crafted With Pride,” a craft fair at 2 Royal Avenue from 10am to 3pm
Enjoy free admission and explore a variety of amazing craft products created by queer crafters.
Belfast Pride Presents: Pride Talks Back
On Tuesday July 23, political representatives are set to answer questions on issues affecting the LGBTQIA+ community at The MAC, at 7pm.
Hot on the heels of the 2024 General Election, BBC Talkback presenter William Crawley will put questions submitted by the public to representatives of Northern Ireland’s main political parties.
South Antrim MLA John Blair will represent Alliance while North Belfast MLA Carál ní Chuilín will represent Sinn Féin.
UUP politician, historian and gay political activist Jeff Dudgeon is also set to attend, and SDLP councillor Séamas de Faoite, who was awarded Pride’s Politician of the Year award on Friday, will also be there on the night.
Organisers said the DUP were also invited to provide a representative, but did not respond to the invitation.
The event is unticketed and it will also be streamed live on the Belfast Pride Facebook page.
Pride Céilí at the Black Box
On Wednesday, July 24, you can join the Pride Céilí at the Black Box, hosted in association with Belfast Tradfest.
Enjoy live traditional music with dances called by Ronán Eastwood. Tickets are £5 and available at here.
Annual Belfast Pride Parade
Belfast Pride is by far the country’s biggest celebration of the LGBTQIA+ community and the iconic annual parade will be taking place on Saturday July 27.
Kicking off at 1pm from Custom House Square, the parade will snake through the heart of the city centre before finishing off on Victoria Street.
Build-up for the parade starts from 11.30am onwards and Translink will be operating a bus for people with accessibility issues.
The service will be available to anyone with mobility, mental health or sensory issues as well as families.
To register people should email pridebus@translink.co.uk.
