The Belfast Arts Festival is bringing artists, performers and shows to 40 venues across the city.
Over the next three weeks, up to 200,000 people are expected to attend events in the Belfast Arts Festival.
The Belfast festival as usual features artists and events from around the world but there's a strong Irish influence too.
Among the many events are a performance by three of Ireland's most celebrated musicians, Hugh Tinney, Aisling Byrne and Michael Darcy. The Divine Comedy will perform alongside the Ulster Orchestra.
Amongst the international acts on offer are a strictly adults only puppet show from Australia and a sellout concert by Cuban singer and star of the Buena Vista Social Club Ibrahim Ferrer.
Festival organisers say that there is something for everyone. Stella Hall, director of the Belfast Arts Festival, outlines the range of events across the city.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 24 October 2004. The reporter is Brendan Wright.
