Belfast's summer cultural calendar continues this weekend with a series of events scheduled to go ahead as planned, following nights of violent unrest that prompted earlier venue closures.

The Belsonic festival opens at Ormeau Park on Friday and Saturday, drawing up to 20,000 attendees per night. Friday's lineup features the country and folk-oriented Farmers Bash, while Saturday sees house DJ Josh Baker perform. Organisers have not issued a formal statement on the disturbances, but early Friday indications pointed to the festival proceeding. Translink confirmed it will operate bus and rail services as normal, including special event transport to the park.

Other major venues are also moving forward with their programmes. The Waterfront Hall hosts a Shrek-themed production by Starburst Theatre School on Friday and a Tina Turner tribute show on Saturday. The Belfast Empire has jazz tributes to Louis Armstrong and Frank Sinatra, along with a 1990s tribute band, both listed as going ahead. Smaller clubs and bars around the city are staging local acts, though some had closed early midweek due to unrest.

Demonstrations are planned for city centres on Saturday. At 1pm, anti-racism activists will gather at Belfast City Hall, and at 2pm a separate protest is due at Guildhall Square in Londonderry. Both are organised by United Against Racism, a grassroots all-Ireland group that campaigns against the scapegoating of migrants and minorities and advocates for open borders and the regularisation of undocumented workers. The public sector union NIPSA has backed the protests, calling for working class unity against racism.

Separately, an annual loyalist memorial parade is scheduled for Saturday evening in east Belfast. The event, involving 25 bands and approximately 1,000 participants, will move from Newtownards Road to near Woodstock Road over two and a half hours.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland has said it will maintain an increased presence in the city centre. Chief Superintendent Amanda Ford urged the public to continue shopping, dining and attending events.