An insider's guide to the best festivals and events in Belfast, including the Irish Open 2015, Rose Week, Belfast Tattoo, Red Bull Crashed Ice Championships and where to watch the Tall Ships Races. By Geoff Hill, Telegraph Travel's Belfast expert.
Calendar of events and festivals
Irish Open 2017
July 6-9
This year the Open comes to Royal County Down in Newcastle - just outside of Belfast - in what will be the first time in 76 years that the event has been played at the world-renowned links course, following the very successful 2012 Irish Open at Royal Portrush. Rickie Fowler, one of golf’s most exciting talents, will take a walk down memory lane with one of his closest golfing friends when he joins world number one Rory McIlroy for the event.
Northern Ireland's Rory Mcllroy won last year's open, but can he repeat that in 2017? Credit: GETTY
Admission: daily tickets from £7; season ticket £75/£55 concession
Contact: 0800 023 2557; irishopen.ie
Gran Fondo
June 4
Now in its fourth year, Gran Fondo is aimed at amateur cyclists across the world who travel to the host country to participate. The two routes have yet to be announced, but one is 110 miles and the other 37, and both finish at Titanic Belfast and are expected to include the Mourne Mountains and Strangford Lough.
Amateur cyclists battle it out in the Gran Fondo, now in its fourth year Credit: FACEBOOK
Admission: free
Contact: 028 9024 6609; visit-belfast.com
Rose Week
July
The International Rose Garden at Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park is among the best in the world, with more than 45,000 roses in bloom from July to September. Details of events during Rose Week, including music and a variety of entertainment for all ages, will be available from the end of June.
Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park blooms with some 45,000 roses Credit: ALAMY
Admission: free
Contact: 028 9091 8768; belfastcity.gov.uk/parks
Hillsborough Oyster Festival
September 5-9
Shuck your fill of the little slimy darlings washed down with champagne and stout while enjoying live music, a soapbox derby, a gala ball and a chance to see if local man Colin Shirlow can beat his world oyster eating record of 233 in three minutes.
Admission: free; events £20 to £95
Contact: hillsboroughoysterfestival.com