Belfast's AVA Festival: 80 Artists, 5 Stages, and Epic Vibes Await!

The AVA Festival is one of the biggest music events in Belfast, and it is about to start its twelfth year. The festival will begin on Friday at 1:00 in the afternoon and will last for two days at Titanic Slipways. This year, the festival will feature 80 different artists, including well-known names like KETTAMA, Annie Mac, Honey Dijon, Interplanetary Criminal, and KNEECAP. The event is expected to attract its largest crowd ever, with people traveling from as far away as Japan and Australia to join the celebration.

Sarah McBriar, who founded AVA Festival and UP Productions, shared that the festival has grown a lot since it first started. In the beginning, it was a small event held in an old warehouse with only two stages and about 1,500 people attending. Now, the festival has five stages and welcomes around 10,000 people each day. Over the years, the festival has changed and improved, offering a mix of live music, DJ sets, and hip hop performances. This year, there will also be the largest art installation in the festival's history, showing off the creative talent from Belfast and other places.

Before the main festival starts, there will be a special event at the MAC in Belfast on Thursday. This event will have free talks and workshops about music, culture, and creativity. The AVA Festival is also focused on helping new local talent. They run a creator's forum where new DJs and music producers can apply to perform and get noticed. This gives them a chance to show their skills and maybe start their careers in music. If you plan to go to the festival, remember that the gates open at 1:00 PM and close at 11:00 PM each day. It is best to arrive early because the entrance can get crowded, especially after 3:00 PM. You must be over 18 and bring a valid ID, like a driving licence or passport. There are many food and drink stalls, including a restaurant with West African food. The festival is cashless, so you need to use a card or Apple or Google Pay. There is no parking for cars, but you can get there by taxi, bus, train, or by walking from the city centre. The AVA Festival is a great way to enjoy music, discover new artists, and be part of Belfast's creative community.