A Guide to the 2026 Belfast Christmas Market

The Belfast Christmas Market 2026 has been confirmed, with the market returning to the grounds of Belfast City Hall from November 14th.

The market marks its 22nd anniversary this year, and it’s set to draw more than one million visitors to the heart of Northern Ireland’s capital.

One of the longest running Christmas markets in Ireland, they’ve been attracting locals and tourists alike since 2004!

The Christmas markets in Belfast bring a festive buzz to the city with plenty to see and do during the 5.5 weeks that they run for.

What to know about the Belfast Christmas Market 2026

Although a visit to the Christmas markets in Belfast is reasonably straightforward, it’s worth taking 20 seconds to read the below points:

1. Location

The Belfast Christmas markets 2026 is taking place within the grounds of Belfast City Hall at Donegall Square in the heart of the city.

2. Belfast Christmas Market dates

The Belfast Christmas Market 2026 has been confirmed to run from Saturday, November 14th to Tuesday, December 22nd.

3. Opening times

The Belfast Christmas Market opening times will likely be:

• Monday: 10:00 – 20:00
• Tuesday: 10:00 – 20:00
• Wednesday: 10:00 – 20:00
• Thursday: 10:00 – 22:00
• Friday: 10:00 – 22:00
• Saturday: 10:00 – 22:00
• Sunday: 12:00 – 18:00

4. Parking

There is no dedicated parking for the Belfast Continental Market. The closest car parks are the Montgomery Street Car Park (3-minute walk) and Q-Park Victoria Square (5-minute walk).

5. The market could be bigger this year

There’s an interesting development for 2026, with plans being explored to expand Belfast’s Christmas offering beyond the City Hall grounds. Belfast City Council is looking at ways to extend its existing Christmas Market beyond the front of City Hall, with councillors raising concerns that the current setup can feel cramped when it’s busy.

Separately, an application has been made for another Christmas market at Custom House Square. This would be run by a different operator and would be separate from the City Hall market.

6. Don’t just visit for the market

Personally, I wouldn’t visit the city just to see the markets. Luckily, there’s heaps of other things to do in Belfast while you’re there, regardless of how long you’re visiting for. There’s some great hotels in Belfast City Centre if you fancy staying nearby. 

About the Christmas market in Belfast

The Belfast Christmas Market first arrived in the city in 2004 and has since become one of the biggest festive markets on the island.

The market takes over the grounds of Belfast City Hall each year, with traders selling everything from international food and festive drinks to crafts and Christmas gifts.

The organisers have described the 2026 market as returning “bigger, brighter, and merrier than ever”, although the full line-up of traders and attractions hasn’t been announced yet.

What to expect from the 2026 Belfast Christmas Markets

The Belfast Christmas Market 2026 sticks to its usual setup, with stalls selling festive gifts, crafts, sweet and savoury food, and a busy beer tent.

1. Food, glorious food

If you’re fond of a festive bite, point your nose in the direction of the outdoor food court at the Belfast Christmas Markets. Here you’ll find a clatter of options to sink your teeth into.

The food court is home to cuisines from over 32 nationalities from across the world. Expect everything from crepes and pancakes to ostrich, wild boar, and crocodile burgers. 

If you fancy a fine feed where you can plonk yourself down for a bit, nip into our guide to the best restaurants in Belfast or our guide to the best spots for afternoon tea in Belfast.

2. Family activities

There are heaps of things on during the Belfast Christmas Markets 2026 to keep the kids amused, including:

• A vintage helter-skelter
• An observation wheel
• A Santa train
• A busy-bee carousel
• A large snow-slide
• An Olaf ride
• Loads more

3. Santa

Santa’s grotto is operating again this year inside the City Hall grounds.

4. Glühwein

It isn’t a Christmas without some Glühwein! Visitors can grab a ‘Hug in a mug’  from Germany’s award winning Kochem vineyard.

There’s usually an alcohol-free mulled wine option, too.

5. The Beer tent

The beer tent is very popular and, as a result, it gets busy. So, if you fancy a pint in a less crowded spot, here are some of the best pubs in Belfast along with how far of a walk they are from the markets:

• Whites Tavern (9-minute walk)
• Kelly’s Cellars (10-minute walk)
• Bittles Bar (12-minute walk)
• Maddens (10-minute walk)

Other Christmas markets in Belfast and nearby

There are a large number of smaller Christmas markets in Belfast along with festive events.

Here are some of those that have been confirmed:

• Montalto Estate Twilight Market: Nov 13th – 14th
• Ballycastle Speciality Christmas Fair: Dec 13th
• Dundonald Christmas Market: Dec 2nd
• Enchanted Winter Garden: Dec 2nd – 28th
• Christmas at Glenarm Castle: Dec 2nd–20th Titanic Belfast Christmas Experience: Nov 27th–Dec 23rd

Are the Belfast Christmas Markets actually worth visiting?

I’ve been to the Christmas markets in Belfast 2 times now, and I know a lot of people that have visited 5+ times. 

I’m a fan of festive markets in general and, as I’ve been to plenty, tend to visit with fairly clear expectations.

Personally, I enjoyed the Belfast Christmas Market when I visited, but I saw all there was to see in a couple of hours.

In my opinion, and I’ve said this about the Galway Christmas markets too, if you’re visiting them from afar, you need plan in other activities.

There’s plenty to see in Belfast City and it’s worth visiting the markets as part of the 2 day Belfast itinerary on the map above.

FAQs

We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from ‘What are the Belfast Christmas Market opening hours?’ to ‘Where do you park?’.

In the section below, we’ve popped in the most FAQs that we’ve received. If you have a question that we haven’t tackled, ask away in the comments section below.