BELFAST TITANIC MARITIME FESTIVAL 2019
BELFAST TITANIC MARITIME FESTIVAL 2019
SAT 25th - MON 27th MAY
A big outdoor cinema, flash mobs, boatbuilders, live music and of course, magnificent ships!
We had an absolute blast at last year’s Festival. This year, it’s even bigger, with three packed days of brilliant sights and experiences suitable for all.
AND you can now download a handy FREE app to help plan your maritime adventure.
A few of our highlights from last year, to give you a taste of what to expect >>>
Excited for this year then? Keep reading!
(Our full two minute highlights vid of last year is at the very bottom of this page.)
Titanic Quarter will come alive at 10am each day with an array of nautical entertainment, food stalls, traditional maritime demos, live music and a treasure trove of performances.
Links to download the new app below.
Scroll down for a snapshot of this year’s festivities...
TITANIC STREET FOOD MARKET & BIG TITANIC PICNIC
Hamilton Dock, next to SS Nomadic
Sat & Sun 10am to 6pm & Mon to 4pm
The ‘BIG Titanic Picnic’ will be popping up next to SS Nomadic from 10am-6pm each day, perfect for those wanting to enjoy some food whilst watching a mix of maritime acts including live music, theatrical performances, cookery demos, flash mobs, science buskers & lots more.
The 'Pop-up Titanic Street Food Market' is returning to Hamilton Dock - 10am to 6pm Saturday and Sunday and to 4pm on Monday - with quirky food vans & vintage trucks showcasing the very best of world-class food culture.
Watch the Kite Club put on magical displays, directly opposite the popup picnic.
LIVE MUSIC & FLASHMOBS
Grass area next to SS Nomadic
There will be live music & flash mobs at the popup picnic running from 10am to 6pm each day.
Sat: Blunt Fringe, Cooking Demo, Ajendance and Belfast Youth Music School
Sun: Ajendance, Over The Hill and Blunt Fringe
Mon: Paul Mervyn, Over The Hill, Ajendance and Cooking Demo
TRADITIONAL MARITIME DEMOS & EXHIBITIONS
Titanic Slipways
There will be a traditional maritime village with lots of demos from rope makers, linen spinners, boat building and riveters. Look out for the ladies in Titanic era costumes on board the SS Nomadic.
Call into the marquee and make a birthday card for the giant crane Goliath, who turns 50 on the 12th of July.
Say hello to our friends from National Museums NI, National Trust and Derry Council who will be there.
OUTDOOR CINEMA EXPERIENCE
Titanic Slipways
Out on the Titanic Slipways, family favourites will be showing - so bring along your picnic blanket, deck chair and enjoy the film!
Sat: 11am – Finding Nemo | 2pm – Cinemagic’s Grace & Goliath | 6pm – The Goonies
Sun: 11am – Finding Dory | 2pm – Cinemagic’s Grace & Goliath | 6pm - Big
Mon: 11am – The Little Mermaid | 2pm – Muppet’s Treasure Island
GREAT LIGHT STORYTELLING SESSIONS
The Great Light
Sat, Sun & Mon: 1:30pm & 2:30pm
Join storytelling sessions at the Great Light, where Liz Weir will be telling tales of mermaids, pirates and fish next to the largest lighthouse optic of its kind in the world.
TITANIC HOTEL BELFAST - DRAWING OFFICE 1 & HERITAGE SPACES
Sun & Mon
These will be open to the public, providing the perfect opportunity to see their restoration and visit the Heart of the Yard exhibition.
Join the Titanic Society in Drawing Office 1, where they will be there in period costume hats.
MAGNIFICENT SHIPS & NAVAL VESSELS
Quaysides
A host of ships and vessels will be attending this year's festival, including:
Mexican Naval Vessel 'Cuauhtémoc'
Irish Lights Vessel 'Granuaile'
Royal Naval vessel 'HMS Penzance'
Pelican of London
Ketch rigged Dutch sailing barge 'Volharding'
1960's old style tug boat 'Brocklebank'.
^ Doing the 2018 trail - hoping for similar weather this year!
MARITIME MILE TREASURE TRAIL
Multiple locations
Starting at Barrow Square, look out for the signs and panels located along the Maritime Mile to help answer the clues to the festival treasure trail. You can pick up treasure maps along the way or download from the app store. Prizes to be won!
HELLO MARITIME MILE!
Look out for the yellow signs along the route - objects include the Big Fish, Belfast Harbour, SS Nomadic, Titanic Belfast, the Great Light and HMS Caroline. Find each object and chat to them via text message to discover the stories of Belfast’s Maritime Mile!
HMS CAROLINE
Alexandra Dock
Sat, Sun & Mon – 10am to 4pm
Experience live theatre performances on the Dockside by Dockyard Live, explore Bonkers Betty's Bizarre Bazaar craft and food village - full of interesting and locally made products - or get creative with family craft and maritime-themed activities.
Then step on board HMS one of the last remaining ships from the First World War, for an unmissable experience.
UNDER THE LAGAN WEIR TOURS
Lagan Lookout
Sunday 10:30am, 12pm, 1:30pm & 3pm
A unique opportunity to walk under the River Lagan. Follow in the footsteps of the UTV series Ulster Giants with the River Manager. Find out how this crucial infrastructure controls the water levels, facilitates navigation between the harbour and the impoundment, acts as a tidal barrage and also its importance for water quality purposes.
Free event but booking is essential. Reserve your space now via Eventbrite
NOT FORGETTING!
DONEGAL QUAY
The gateway to the Maritime Mile at the Big Fish will feature Wee Critters, Mini Explorers and more family fun, the perfect place for little ones to begin their maritime voyage.
QUEENS QUAY
Over on Queens Quay there’s fun for all ages. The Maritime Market returns with something to tempt your taste buds. Ttry your hand at building a land yacht, learn how to create crazy bubbles with Scientific Sue or have fun at the beach!
SAILORTOWN
In days gone by, sailors from around the world mixed with local dockers. St Joseph’s Church will house a special Maritime Heritage exhibition telling their stories. On Saturday, to celebrate the iconic Rotterdam Bar, Barrow Square will host an evening of great music, not to be missed!
EVENING ENTERTAINMENT!
Jimmy Ellis: Home Again
Sat & Sun 7pm for 8pm start - Andrews Gallery, Titanic Belfast
One of the highlights of the Maritime Festival will be the evening performances of Jimmy Ellis: Home Again, an auto-biographical reflection of the late actor’s family home and life working at the docks during his childhood in East Belfast.
Ticketed. £15pp - book now.
Popup Evening Cinema
Titanic Slipways
Grab your picnic blanket, deck chair and enjoy the evening films on the Slipways.
- Saturday 25 May - Goonies (6pm)
- Sunday 26 May- Big (6pm)
DON’T FORGET…
It’s free. Simply click on the icon that’s relevant to your mobile phone….
MORE INFO!
GETTING ABOUT / TRAVEL
Glider: Hop on the Glider from the city centre, bringing you directly into the heart of Titanic Quarter. Timetables here.
Bike: Bike parking facilities at SSE Arena, Belfast Met and the car parks on Queens rd. Also Belfast Bike docking stations located through-out the area – SSE Arena, Belfast Met, Catalyst Inc & CS Lewis Square. More info here.
Car parking: Facilities will include surface car parks on Queens Road, Belfast Met multi-storey and underground car park at Titanic Belfast, NCP on Corporation Street.
Wee Tram: The Wee Tram will be providing a free service from the Arc Public Realm (behind SSE Arena) to HMS Caroline. More info here.
UP TO THE MINUTE FESTIVAL NEWS
Make sure you’re following the festival’s Facebook event - TQEventsBelfast.
AND A HANDY MAP
…if for some reason you haven’t downloaded that app yet :)
