Toast to the Island's Biggest Whiskey Celebration

Belfast Whiskey Week: A Celebration of Irish Whiskey

The largest Irish whiskey festival on the island of Ireland, Belfast Whiskey Week, is currently taking place in Belfast. This nine-day event features over 100 activities spread across the city and will continue until Saturday, July 26. The festival culminates with the annual Irish whiskey industry awards at the Ulster Reform Club.

The festival’s flagship event returns to St Comgall’s on Friday, July 25, where brands and distilleries from Ireland, England, Scotland, and Tasmania will showcase their finest products. Attendees can enjoy exclusive first pours, live music, and home-cooked meals.

For more details, visit www.belfastwhiskeyweek.com or follow Belfast Whiskey Week on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

Business on the Run: A Summer Fitness Initiative

The Northern Ireland Chamber is inviting business professionals to participate in a pop-up run club this summer. Supported by GLL, the initiative aims to promote wellbeing and encourage colleagues to be active before the start of their workday.

The run will take place every Friday morning at 8am in Ormeau Park, Belfast, starting on Friday, July 25, and continuing until the end of August. The social 5K is open to all NI Chamber members and friends, regardless of fitness level. To register, visit northernirelandchamber.com.

Cosmetic Medicine Awards: Honoring Excellence in Aesthetics

The 2025 Cosmetic Medicine Awards (CMAs) will be held at the Culloden Estate and Spa on Saturday, November 29. Now in its fourth year, the CMAs are Northern Ireland’s only Trust Mark-accredited awards dedicated to recognizing excellence, innovation, and clinical leadership in the aesthetics sector.

Co-founded by Lesley McGarrity and Michelle McTernan, the awards were officially launched at the recent Aesthetic and Anti-Aging Medicine World Congress (AMWC) in Monaco. BTL Aesthetics will serve as the headline sponsor for the 2025 CMAs, which will be hosted by Amanda Cameron and Robin Elliott.

One lucky finalist will win a luxury two-night break to Monaco, courtesy of LG Travel, with proceeds supporting this year’s chosen charity, Sense. To enter the awards, visit nicosmeticmedicineawards.com.

Northern Ireland Social Media Awards: Recognizing Digital Excellence

The 2025 Northern Ireland Social Media Awards will take place on Saturday, October 18, at the Europa Hotel. Wellness advocate Annette Kelly of Little Penny Thoughts and media personality Gerry Lavz will return as hosts.

An independent panel of global expert judges, including Catherine McKeown and Amy Lynch, will evaluate entries across 23 categories. For further information or to enter before midnight on Tuesday, August 26, visit www.nisocialmediaawards.com.

Hospitality Exchange 2025: A Premier Industry Event

Hospitality Exchange 2025 will return to the Crowne Plaza, Belfast, on Tuesday and Wednesday, October 14 and 15. Organized by the Northern Ireland Hotels Federation (NIHF), the event brings together over 600 industry professionals for two days of inspiration, insight, and celebration.

The conference promises topical and interactive content, featuring panel discussions, success stories, and a networking lounge. Aktar Islam, Chef Patron of the two Michelin-starred restaurant Opheem, will be a headline speaker. The program is centered around three themes: Excelling, Engaging, and Evolving. More details will be announced in September. For updates, visit hospitalityexchange.org.uk.

High Street Heroes: Celebrating Local Retailers

The High Street Heroes NI 2025 campaign, organized by Retail NI in partnership with Allwyn, SSE Airtricity, and Gig Grafter, is ongoing. The initiative celebrates independent retailers and local businesses that form the backbone of Northern Ireland’s communities.

The public can vote for their favorite local businesses across 13 categories, ranging from food and drink to fashion and essential services. Shortlisted retailers will be announced in early August, with an awards evening scheduled for Thursday, August 21. To cast your vote, visit www.RetailNI.com/High-Street-Heroes.

Diversity Mark Summit: Focusing on Inclusion

Northern Ireland’s premier event for diversity and inclusion leadership, the Diversity Mark Summit, will be held on October 8 at Titanic Belfast. The theme for the 2025 summit is “Driving Value: Inclusion in an Ever-Changing Landscape.”

The one-day event will bring together over 300 thought leaders, business executives, and inclusion advocates. For more information and to book tickets, visit https://diversity-mark-ni.co.uk/diversity-mark-summit or contact Christine White at christine@diversity-mark-ni.co.uk.

IFEX Trade Event: A Hub for Foodservice and Retail

Northern Ireland’s flagship foodservice, hospitality, and retail trade event, IFEX, will return from February 24–26, 2026, at the Eikon Exhibition Centre outside Lisburn. With a history spanning over 50 years, IFEX remains a vital platform for sourcing new products, discovering emerging technologies, and networking with industry peers.

Confirmed exhibitors include Henderson Group, Sysco, Britvic Aqua Libra, Meadow Vale Foods, Smedes, AIB Merchant Services, Unox, Craft Training, Coffology Ireland, Nic Ice, and Spice of Life. For more information, visit www.ifexexhibition.co.uk.

Art and Soul Exhibition: A Celebration of Art

Art and Soul returns to the Culloden Estate & Spa from July 27 to August 31. Highlights include Patrick O’Reilly’s bronze bear sculptures, such as “Caddy Bear” and “Beyond the Rough.” Hosted by Gormleys Fine Art, the exhibition features over 250 pieces, with larger outdoor works displayed throughout the Culloden’s 12 acres of landscaped gardens. The event is free to attend and open daily from 11am to 7pm.

Artistic Legacy of Ards and North Down: A New Exhibition

North Down Museum has launched a new exhibition titled “Inspiration and Transformation,” running until Sunday, August 31, in the Long Gallery. The free exhibition celebrates the rich artistic heritage of the Ards and North Down Borough, showcasing the work of significant artists who have lived and worked in the area. Details are available at www.andculture.org.uk.

Mary Peters Trust Lunch: Supporting Sport

A Sport Inspires lunch will take place on Friday, November 21, at Belfast’s Europa Hotel in support of the Mary Peters Trust, which has funded sporting greats for half a century. The event will bring together business leaders, sporting legends, and community champions to celebrate the power of sport in transforming lives. Tickets are now available, with proceeds supporting the next generation of Northern Ireland’s athletes.

Holiday World Show: A Celebration of Travel

Organizers of Holiday World Show Belfast have announced that the north’s biggest annual celebration of travel and tourism will return to ICC Belfast at The Waterfront Hall in January 2026. The three-day event will run from Friday, January 9, to Sunday, January 11, 2026. For more information, visit https://holidayworldshowni.com/.

Northern Ireland Energy Summit: Driving a Greener Future

The second running of the Northern Ireland Energy Summit will take place on Wednesday, September 24, at the ICC Belfast. The event will explore how businesses can drive a cleaner, greener, and more prosperous economic future for the region. Key themes include connectivity, security of supply, and the role of communities in energy clusters. For more information and to register, visit www.nienergysummit.com.

VAVA Awards: Celebrating Digital Content Creators

The VAVA Awards, Ireland’s leading celebration of digital content creators and influencers, has launched its fourth annual event, with Diet Coke as the headline sponsor. The black-tie event will take place on Saturday, September 27, at Titanic Belfast. Nominations are now open via http://bit.ly/3YKvizk.

IoD Annual Dinner: A Night of Inspiration

The Institute of Directors in Northern Ireland will hold its annual dinner at the Culloden Estate and Spa on Thursday, September 25. Sinéad Rocks, managing director (nations & regions) at Channel 4, will deliver the keynote address, followed by after-dinner entertainment by comedian Shane Todd. Booking details are available on the IoD website.

Knit + Stitch: A Textile Craft Show

The UK’s biggest and best textile craft show, Knit + Stitch, returns to Northern Ireland in the autumn, taking place at the Eikon Exhibition Centre near Lisburn from November 13–16. Exhibitor applications are now open for businesses and artisans interested in showcasing their products. For more information and to stay updated on ticket sales, visit the Knit + Stitch website.

Belfast Business Awards: Honoring Excellence in Business

Belfast Chamber is launching the 2025 Belfast Business Awards, celebrating its 10th anniversary. The awards program showcases innovation, excellence, and resilience across multiple sectors. The deadline for entries is Friday, August 29, with the ceremony taking place on Friday, October 17, at ICC Belfast. For more information, visit https://belfastchamber.com/awards/.

NI Food To Go Awards: Recognizing Excellence in Food Service

The NI Food To Go Awards, sponsored by Henderson Foodservice, will return for the second year in a row this November. Spearheaded by the NI Food To Go Association, the awards provide a benchmark of excellence for the food to go industry. Entries are now open, with the gala ceremony taking place at Belfast’s Crowne Plaza Hotel on Tuesday, November 18, hosted by Ibe Sesay. For more information, visit www.foodtogoawards.co.uk.