So the Chilli Fest Belfast is back for another year of fun, food and entertainment for all. Run under the umbrella of the 11th Open House Festival at the Cathedral Quarter Belfast, this years line-up promises to be a start studded affair. All we need now is for the rain to stay away in order to let everyone come out an play. If you plan on doing a little sampling of  food during the Fiery Food Fair, I would strongly advise that you leave a toilet roll in your fridge before leaving as it can both sooth a sore head on your return and give you a much welcome relief should you need to visit the loo!

Don’t forget that the amazing Jackson Cage will be playing on the Saturday night and while this is a paid event, many of the other gigs (in particular the Friday night) are free, so gather your family and come down to Belfast.

For more details on the main events, check out the 11th Open House Festival Website.

For more details on the Chilli Fest, checkout the MySapce website.

The line-up of event and outdoor entertainment is getting hotter and it is fair to say there is choice an variety for one and all. Right now you will find a number of great deal to get here such as:

• Stena Line – car plus one from as little as £69*
• Norfolk Line – Liverpool to Belfast with a car plus 1 from a little as £75*
• FlyBe/Easy Jet/BMI baby – just a selection of cheap airlines offering flights to both Belfast city and Belfast international airports from a host of European and UK destinations

* Prices as of 14th April from travel operators websites

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Finding ways to fill your in Belfast and Northern Ireland is not difficult, it is easy. Belfast offers a lot for the outdoors type with dramatic coastlines, mountains, lakes, and some of the best golf courses in the world. It is also a haven for superb fishing, water sports and walking trails.

For the culture vultures the majestic and beautiful Grand Opera House offers theatre, musicals, opera, ballet, comedy, concerts and pantomime, while the Lyric theatre,  specialises in works by local dramatists. The recently renovated and now re-opened Ulster Hall is also a venue worth a visit to take in a concert or two. Belfast’s Waterfront Hall houses an award-winning conference, music and arts centre holding a wide spectrum of events.

Belfast has a rich tradition of arts festivals, the highlight of which is the highly regarded annual Belfast Festival at Queen’s. It also has one of the best underground music scenes in the world, with live music playing across the city every night.

The rejuvenated Cathedral Quarter of Belfast has become the most fashionable part of the city to eat, drink and socialise. The Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival features an eclectic mix of music, dance and drama, much of which is performed on the street.

Add to that, excellent restaurants, pubs, clubs and everywhere the famous Northern Irish ‘craic’ and it isn’t hard to see why Northern Ireland has been named as one of the ‘must-see’ travel destinations by Lonely Planet’s Blue List.

Belfast Festivals

Below is a sample of the festivals in Northern Ireland

Belfast Festival at Queen’s (October – November) – www.belfastfestival.com

Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival (May) – www.cqaf.com

Féile an Phobail West Belfast (August) – www.feilebelfast.com

Festival of Fools (May) – www.foolsfestival.com

Venues

There are concert and theatre venues in cities and towns across Northern Ireland

Grand Opera House, Belfast – www.goh.co.uk

Millennium Forum, Derry – http://mforum.sed2.info

Odyssey Arena, Belfast – www.odysseyarena.com

The Nerve Centre, Derry – www.nerve-centre.org.uk

Waterfront Hall, Belfast – www.waterfront.co.uk

Lifestyle

Whether you’re interested in attractions, entertainment, shopping or getting back to nature, there’s a wealth of things to see and do on your doorstep. Some are listed below:

Derry Visitor and Convention Bureau – www.derryvisitor.com

Belfast Visitor and Convention Bureau – www.gotobelfast.com

The Glens of Antrim – www.northantrim.com/theglensofantrim.htm

Mourne Mountains – www.mournemountains.com

Fermanagh Lakes – www.fermanaghlakelands.com