BackIn 2025, we continued Mela as a week long festival with two massive outdoor events attracting thousands of people.
Highlights of 2025 included:
- The return of Mela Carnival, featuring a spectacular parade across the city centre culminating in a global village party at City Hall grounds and premiering of our new co-created theatre production When Worlds Collide
- The spectacular festival finale at Botanic Gardens with over 20,000 people flocking to the park to enjoy a wonderland of world music, dance, food and art
- A new international residency programme delivered in partnership with the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and the PK Foundation in Indian, welcomed acclaimed Kathak dancer Shinjini Kulkarni and literacy scholar Sanjukta Das Gupta who collaborated with local artists leading to two sell out showcases at The Lyric Theatre and Ulster Museum
- A month long series of events at Olive Tree House – Belfast’s new intercultural hub
- A whole host of food events including a three course dining experience at the Silk Road Supper Club; Feast of Fire Chilli Eating Competition and cookery demonstrations at Taste the World.
- A whole host of wellbeing experiences with events across the city’s parks and studios
2025 Festival Snaps
