Northern Ireland’s great music festivals provide the soundtrack for summer
Whether you are a fan of folk, or you prefer to rock out, music lovers of all kinds can look forward to a fantastic line-up of festivals and events taking place this year in Northern Ireland. Here’s the pick of the summer crop.
Rathlin Sound Maritime Festival, May 23 to 1 June
Celebrating Rathlin Island’s maritime heritage, this unique Co. Antrim festival takes place on the seafront at picturesque Ballycastle and on Rathlin Island which you can reach by ferry. It’s an eclectic mix of live music on outdoor stages, boat tours, artisan markets, storytelling, taster water sport sessions and heritage events.
Music will include Irish trad sessions and traditional sea-songs performed by the Causeway Shantymen as well as the lively festival finale with a local DJ.
AVA Belfast Festival 2025, 30–31 May
Considered to be one of the world’s most exciting electronic festivals, AVA is an Audio-Visual Arts Festival featuring top electronic artists and emerging talent alongside cutting-edge visual arts installations. The 2025 festival features headliners Overmono and Underworld with a host of other acts providing two full days of electronic magic. The setting is the historic Titanic Slipways overlooked by the award-winning Titanic Belfast.
Set on a farm in the stunning Causeway Coast and Glens area, this festival blends music, arts, and culture focusing on local talent with a sprinkling of top international names. Over the weekend, there is live music featuring over 60 artists and bands across eight stages as well as a programme of fun activities for all ages including comedy, circus, art and workshops.
The festival has a strong commitment to sustainability, with organisers working to reduce waste and promote eco-friendly practices including partnering with Every Can Counts Ireland.
Belsonic Festival, Belfast, 5–30 June
Belsonic is Northern Ireland’s largest live music event with gigs by the music industry’s top names across the month of June, each playing to up to 15,000 fans. This year’s headliners include Justin Timberlake with special guest Jess Glynne, Stereophonics, Snow Patrol, Charli XCX and Alanis Morrisette.
Held in Ormeau Park, just a stone's throw from the city centre, this festival offers the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in a fantastic festival experience while also discovering all that Belfast has to offer. From the Belfast Traditional Music Trail to the city's renowned distillery tours, including McConnell’s and Titanic Distillers, there's something for everyone to enjoy.