Belfast

Belfast City is delighted to host Light Night in February 2009 adding a unique addition to its vibrant calendar of events and festivals.  Belfast has hosts 55 festivals annually including the Belfast Festival at Queen's, Belfast Film Fest, The Titanic Festival, Opera in the Gardents, Belfast Food and Drink Festival. 

Belfast - a dramatically changing city

Regeneration and developments are taking place at an unprecedented rate contributing to a rapidly changing skyline.  Belfast has one of the youngest populations in Europe with around 300,000 residents with a primary catchment population of 1.8million.  The vibrancy and economics is amplified with an affluent customer profile of ‘wealthy executives' and ‘flourishing families' employed primarily in a strong software, financial services and telecoms sector.   

Belfast is one of the fastest growing city break destinations attracting 6.8 million visitors annually who have generated £324.1 million into the economy and supported 18,000 full time jobs. 

The timing is perfect to stage this spectacular event and firmly establish Belfast as a vibrant and exciting European Cultural Capital.  Belfast Light Night 2009 presents:

Architectural Illuminations

Belfast's amazing architecture; from Victorian and Edwardian, to pioneering 20/21st century architecture will be integral to innovative illuminations throughout the night.  Belfast Light Night 2009 will use the iconic City Hall as its backdrop in an evening of spectacular visual theatre, its illustrious grounds will be illuminate with a pulsating light show and sensational performances of music, dance and street theatre. 

The light show trail will branch out beyond the city centre to Queen's Quarter the Cathedral Quarter, Custom House Square and Laganside where the streets, public squares, parks, galleries and arts spaces will come alive with out door shows and special events throughout the night.

Showcasing Culture

With culture pumping through every vein of this thriving city Belfast Light Night 2009 will showcase every aspect of the city's cultural life with venues opening doors later to stage literary, music, film, visual and performing arts events.  A carnival atmosphere will be created with a programme of outdoor performances from street theatre and performances to musical performances animating the public spaces.

Shopping

Belfast is renowned for its dynamic and unique shopping experience fantastic boutiques and speciality retail.  The recent opening of the magnificent Victoria Square Shopping Centre, one of the biggest and most prestigious city centre retail and mixed-use developments of its kind in the British Isles.  City Centre shops will be ready to play a part in Belfast Light Night 2009.

Eating

Stylish bars, chic cafés and acclaimed restaurants will also join Belfast Light Night 2009 with special offers and incentives for what will be one of the greatest nights of the 2009 Belfast Calendar.