The year in Belfast

Nov 2026 – Oct 2027 · 13 moments

The big moments of the year in Belfast: Belfast Christmas Market and lights, Out to Lunch, St Patrick's Day and more, with their dates.

November2026
14Nov

Belfast Christmas Market and lights

14 November to 22 December 2026

The Christmas Market in the grounds of City Hall, free to enter, opens at noon on 14 November, the day the Christmas lights are switched on outside City Hall at 6.30pm (that event is ticketed). It closes at 6pm on 22 December.

January2027
8Jan

Out to Lunch

8 to 30 January 2027

The January festival of the Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival team: concerts, comedy, film, talks, poetry and walking tours in venues such as the MAC, the Linen Hall Library and Kelly's Cellars.

March2027
Marusually

St Patrick's Day

Wednesday 17 March 2027, with the council's programme in the days before

Belfast City Council's celebrations around 17 March: a parade that leaves City Hall and circles the city centre, with music and family events in the days before. In 2026 the parade left City Hall at 1.30pm.

May2027
2May

Belfast City Marathon

Sunday 2 May 2027

The marathon and the team relay on the same Sunday morning, starting at Stormont Estate at 9am and finishing in Ormeau Park.

Mayusually

Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival

Usually late April to mid-May (2026: 29 April to 10 May)

The festival's May edition, with music, comedy, theatre, art and literature in the Cathedral Quarter and across the city centre. The 2027 dates are on cqaf.com once announced.

July2027
Julusually

Belfast Pride

Usually late July (2026: 17 to 26 July, with the parade on Saturday 25 July)

Ten days of events across the city, with the Pride parade through the centre and a Pride Village of stalls, music and children's entertainment.

Julusually

Féile an Phobail

Usually late July into August (2026: 25 July to 9 August)

The community arts festival of west Belfast, with music, film, theatre, comedy, tours and workshops, and a marquee in Falls Park.

August2027
1Aug

Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann

Sunday 1 to Sunday 8 August 2027

The All-Ireland festival of Irish traditional music, Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, which Comhaltas has confirmed will return to Belfast for a second year running, with eight days of music across the city.

Augusually

Belfast Mela

Usually late August (2026: 22 to 30 August)

The city's multicultural festival of music, dance, food and art. It ends with Mela Day in the Botanic Gardens, which was on Sunday 30 August in 2026.

September2027
Sepusually

Culture Night Belfast

Usually a Friday in mid-September (2026: 18 September)

One evening of free arts events in the city centre, the Cathedral Quarter and the Linen Quarter, on the same night as Culture Night across Ireland.

October2027
Octusually

Belfast International Arts Festival

Usually mid-October to early November (2026: 14 October to 8 November)

Theatre, dance, music, visual arts and literature in venues across the city. The 2026 edition was the 64th.

Octusually

Halloween

Around 31 October, with events through the last week of October

Family screenings and club nights across the city in the last week of October.

Octusually

Belfast Film Festival

Usually late October into early November (2026: 29 October to 7 November)

Films and special screenings at cinemas and venues around the city, from late October into November.