MELA Events Date 22 - 30 August 2026 Extend your festival experience with a week long programme of events across the city.
Event Listings Previous Events Family Outdoors Sunday 30th August 12pm, Botanic Gardens Mela Day Join us at Botanic Gardens for the festival finale as it’s transformed into a global wonderland of music, dance, food and art Family Outdoors Spectacle Saturday 22nd August 12pm, City Hall Mela Carnival The heart of the city will burst into life with a dazzling explosion of colour, music, and creativity as the Mela Carnival returns for its fifth year. Outdoors Spectacle Sunday 23rd August 8pm, Titanic Slipways Earth Child A search for balance in a world unravelling. Join us for a breathtaking outdoor spectacle of aerial performance, fire, music, dance, light and myth. Family Outdoors Saturday 22nd August 12pm, Writers Square Colour Procession at Mela Carnival Be part of our colour procession across the city centre throwing colourful powders in a party atmosphere among friends! Adults Comedy Thursday 27th August 7pm, Olive Tree House Mela Laughs Mela Laughs brings a night of stand-up comedy to Olive Tree House hosted by comedian Bronagh Diamond Exhibition Monday 10th August - Sunday 23rd August, Ulster University Marking Time: ArtsEkta at 20 A special exhibition celebrating twenty years of creativity, connection and cultural change in Northern Ireland.
