Lechon at the heart
Discover the rich flavour and crisp skin of Filipino roast pork, the centrepiece of so many celebrations.
FILIPINO FOOD · CULTURE · COMMUNITY
A taste of Cebu.
A feast for Belfast.
Crispy lechon, good company and a celebration of Filipino heritage. Come hungry. Bring the whole family.
Register your interest
A CELEBRATION TO SAVOUR
More than a meal.
A gathering.
We’re planning a festival where food brings people together—and every plate has a story.
Cooking in the open air
Planned outdoor live lechon cooking, giving visitors a closer look at the slow-roasting tradition. Subject to venue approval.
Food stalls & sweet endings
Indoor stalls focused on lechon, à la carte meals and desserts. The final trader line-up will be announced.
Culture, music & company
Enjoy planned entertainment and explore displays about lechon, Cebu and the influences that shaped this beloved dish.
FROM CEBU TO THE TABLE
The story
behind the feast.
Lechon is woven into Filipino hospitality: a dish to gather around at fiestas, family milestones and community celebrations.
A Spanish word. A Filipino tradition.
“Lechon” comes from the Spanish word for a suckling pig. In the Philippines, it commonly refers to a whole roasted pig. The Spanish name is one strand of its story, rather than proof that roasting pigs began with Spanish rule.
Food at the heart of the fiesta.
Spanish colonial rule helped shape the Catholic fiesta calendar. Filipino communities made those celebrations their own, with shared feasts, local cooking traditions and generous hospitality.
Cebu’s enduring love for lechon.
Cebu is especially associated with lechon. In Talisay, the Halad Inasal Festival celebrates the local roasting tradition—one expression of the pride and community behind this food.
A heritage worth sharing.
Our Belfast festival brings that spirit of gathering to Northern Ireland. Through food and cultural displays, we hope to share the stories behind the flavours with everyone.
Explore the history & photo credits
History: National Nutrition Council on lechon; NCCA on the fiesta; NCCA on Talisay’s Halad Inasal Festival; National Museum on Philippine pig archaeology; NHCP on Cebu in 1521.
Lechon photo: whologwhy, CC BY 2.0, cropped for display. Magellan’s Cross: Kingphoto23, cropped by Merd123, CC BY-SA 3.0. Photos show Filipino heritage, not the Belfast event.
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MAKE A DAY OF IT
Your festival,
at a glance.
WhereBelfast · Venue to be announced
WhenDate & opening times to be announced
AdmissionEntry arrangements to be announced
Who’s welcomeFamilies, friends & food lovers
SAVE YOUR PLACE IN THE CELEBRATION
Coming along?
Let us know.
Register your interest to help us plan the food, space and festivities. Include everyone in your group, including children.
After registration, you’ll receive a confirmation ticket on this page. Download it or take a screenshot to show at the entrance.
A FEW THINGS TO KNOW
Before you come.
Can I register my whole family?
Yes. Enter the total number in your group, including yourself and children. One registration per email helps us avoid counting your group twice.
Will there be live lechon cooking?
Outdoor live cooking is part of the plan. This will depend on the confirmed venue and its approval. Final arrangements will be published here.
What about allergies and dietary requirements?
Lechon is pork. The final menu and trader details are still being arranged. Please check ingredients and allergen information directly with each food stall before ordering.
Will the venue be accessible?
Accessibility, transport and parking information will be added once the venue is confirmed.