A Guide to the 2026 Belfast Christmas Market

The Belfast Christmas Market 2026 is set to return this November.

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 4.5 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

If the Belfast Christmas Markets follow the same schedule as last year, they are likely to run from Saturday, 14 November to Tuesday, 22 December 2026.

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. 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

Now entering its 21st year, the Belfast Christmas Market first arrived into the city back in 2004 and it has gone from strength-to-strength since.

Over 1,000,000 people were expected to have attended last year’s event, with over 40,000 visitors alone passing through the stalls on the opening weekend.

Visitors to the market can stop by over 100 exhibitors from 28 counties, beer tents and all of the usual festive bits and bobs, like crafts and sweet treats.

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:

• Ballycastle Christmas Market (Nov 30th and Dec 14th)
• Tedberry Christmas Market (Nov 28th to 30th)
• FestiveFayre at Titanic Belfast (Nov 29th – 30th and weekends in Dec)
• Enchanted Winter Garden at Antrim Castle (Nov 28th – Dec 30th)
• Dundonald Christmas Market (Nov 15th)
• Christmas at Glenarm Castle (Dec 1st – 15th)

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.