The Irish language will be a prominent feature of Comhaltas Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Belfast this August, with a full programme designed to welcome Gaeilgeoirs, learners and newcomers alike.

As the world's largest celebration of Irish music and culture, language is integral to the Fleadh and will be reflected in city dressing that begins rolling out this week.

Hosting the Fleadh for the first time, Belfast is preparing to extend a céad míle fáilte to more than 800,000 visitors from Sunday 2 to Sunday 9 August.

Bilingual directional and wayfinding signs, visitor information, festival branding and other temporary infrastructure will guide people to venues and facilities, helping to create a lively festival atmosphere across the city-centre event zone.

A focal point will be the Irish Language Hub at The MAC, which will run a week-long schedule of language, music, arts, culture and community events.

The hub will include free daily Irish taster classes delivered by Ulster University, a tea-and-conversation space and a family room operating throughout the week, providing a relaxed, welcoming setting to hear, use and experience the language in practical ways.

The line-up features daily traditional music sessions, family entertainment, arts and crafts workshops, yoga, circus skills and community conversations.

Irish-language cinema will also shine, with screenings of Mise Éire, Róise & Frank and the award-winning An Cailín Ciúin (The Quiet Girl), while talks and discussions will explore language, heritage and cultural identity through contributions from universities, community organisations and cultural practitioners.

A Belfast history walk led by Professor Fionntánn de Brú will trace the story of the Irish language in the city. There will also be live broadcasts from Raidió Fáilte, performances and workshops for families, and sessions focused on inclusion, accessibility and community participation.

Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Róis-Máire Donnelly, said: "Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann presents a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the Irish language as a living, vibrant part of our city and our shared cultural heritage. "Cruthóidh an mol tiomnaithe san MAC spás fáiltiúil do chách – ó chainteoirí líofa agus foghlaimeoirí go daoine atá fiosrach faoin teanga den chéad uair. Trí cheol, scannán, comhrá, gníomhaíochtaí teaghlaigh agus imeachtaí cultúrtha, beidh deis ag cuairteoirí an Ghaeilge a bhlaiseadh ar bhealach taitneamhach inrochtana.

"The dedicated hub at The MAC will create a welcoming space for everyone – from fluent speakers and lifelong learners, to people who may be engaging with the language for the very first time or are just curious to find out more. Through music, film, conversation, family activities, workshops and cultural events, visitors will have countless opportunities to experience the language in an accessible and enjoyable way, and celebrate its central role within the overall Fleadh experience."

Beyond the hub, the wider festival will include events celebrating Ulster-Scots language and traditions at the Corn Exchange on Gordon Street.

Major performances — Sharing Traditions (Sunday 2 August, Gig Rig at City Hall), the Ulster Bands showcase (Thursday 6 August, Titanic Slipways) and Connections (Friday 7 August, Gig Rig at City Hall) — will bring together artists, musicians and performers from diverse cultural backgrounds, highlighting Belfast's rich diversity and shared heritage.

Other highlights inviting everyone to 'celebrate together' include Mexican dancing at Saltwater Square and the Beat Carnival showcase at FLAXX on Brunswick Street (both Sunday 2 August), a talk by Gary Hastings on 'the orange and green' of traditional music (Linenhall Library, Thursday 6 August) and a concert exploring Persian, Kurdish and Celtic connections at The Duncairn, also on Thursday 6 August.

More than 90 neighbourhood events are planned across the city as part of the Fleadh fringe, bringing the spirit of the festival to local communities.

Working with local arts and community groups and venues, the council has curated a diverse schedule before, during and after the main festival, spanning live music and dance, storytelling and community participation.

The fringe kicks off this weekend with an evening of Gaelic song at Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich on Friday 17 July; a performance from John Spillane, Lorraine Nash and guests at The Duncairn on Saturday 18 July; and Super Sunday Session East at Skainos on Sunday 19 July — the first in a series of free, family-friendly gatherings across the city during the Fleadh.

For full details of what's on, visit fleadhcheoil.ie.