Christmas Lights Switch-on

Date: Saturday 15 November 2025 from 6.30pm to 7.30pm (gates open at 6pm)

Venue: Belfast City Hall

Category: Christmas, Family, Free

The Lord Mayor of Belfast Councillor Tracy Kelly will be joined on stage by comperes Pete Snodden, Rebecca McKinney and Paulo Ross from Cool FM’s breakfast show to light up the city for the festive season.

Enjoy a packed programme of festive entertainment for all the family. This year’s event will feature captivating performances and huge talent that you won’t want to miss. The line-up includes:

Donegall Road Primary School Choir
Avenue Arts Academy providing heartwarming festive performances
International Boxing Federation welterweight champion boxer Lewis Crocker
BA Collective Dance extravaganza
the Sandy Row Falcons
singing sensations Philippa and Jolene O’Hara
a performance from our very own West End leading lady Rachel Tucker, and
a special finale featuring St Agnes’ Choral Society.

Tickets will be available from 10am, with a second release at 7pm, on Tuesday 4 November from Visit Belfast. Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis and are limited to five tickets per booking.

Tickets for the wheelchair accessible viewing platform will be available on Tuesday 4 November from 10am. You can book tickets in-person at the Visit Belfast Welcome Centre or by calling 028 9024 6609. Tickets are free and limited to two per booking.

Get tickets from Visit Belfast (link opens in new window)

Terms and conditions apply.

This event marks the start of Christmas in Belfast and there will be plenty of other opportunities to get into the spirit as celebrations continue across the festive period, including:

Map of the Christmas lights switch-on

Map of the Christmas Lights Switch-on

Map of Christmas Lights Switch-On at Belfast City Hall

This map shows the area outside Belfast City Hall where the crowd will gather along Donegall Place and Donegall Square North to watch this year’s Christmas Lights Switch-on on Saturday 15 November from 6.30pm to 7.30pm. It highlights the main stage area directly outside the front of City Hall.

The map contains coloured arrows to show how different ticket holders will enter. There is a green arrow to show that green ticket holders will enter the event site via Donegall Place. There is a blue arrow to show that the blue and wheelchair accessible platform ticket holders will enter via Chichester Street. And there is a red arrow to show that red ticket holders will enter via Wellington Place.

Terms and Conditions

Terms and Conditions for Belfast Christmas Lights Switch-on

Terms and Conditions for Belfast Christmas Lights Switch-on at Belfast City Hall on Saturday 15 November 2025, from 6pm to 7.30pm.

This is a ticketed event and tickets are limited to five per booking. All patrons attending the concert require a ticket, this includes young children in push chairs. Only those patrons with tickets will be permitted entry.
Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult, classified as a responsible person aged 25 or over. Patrons are asked to note that this is an outdoor, standing event and young children must be supervised at all times.
Please print or download your ticket to your smartphone. The QR code displayed on your ticket will be scanned on entry. Email confirmation will not suffice.
Gates open at 6pm, the stage programme will commence at 6.30pm, and the event will finish at approximately 7.30pm.
Ticketholders will be assigned an entrance gate at the time of booking:
- red access via Donegall Square West / Wellington Place only
- green access via Donegall Place only
- blue access via Donegall Square East / Chichester Street only
- blue accessible access via Donegall Square East / Chichester Street only (limited to two persons per booking).
Every effort will be made to admit latecomers (with tickets), but admission cannot always be guaranteed.
Event attendees release Belfast City Council (BCC) from any liability for any loss or damage to personal property that may be suffered in relation to the event. Except as required by law, BCC shall not have any liability to ticket holders.
Belfast City Council requests that patrons assist in creating a shared event space. Therefore, we reserve the right to restrict access to its events if it is deemed, by the Council, that a patron(s) is/are in breach of this position. Belfast City Council also has a duty to ensure various equality rights are protected under S75 of the Northern Ireland Act and reserves the right to restrict access to events should a patron be behaving in a way that is likely to constitute a breach of these obligations.
Tickets may not be sold (including by way of auction) nor advertised for sale. Tickets may not be used for advertising, promotion, fundraising, charity events or marketing purposes (including competitions, contests and sweepstakes) unless previously agreed by BCC.
Event attendees understand that the arrangements for the event may be affected by circumstances beyond the control of the Organiser, which may result in the delay, postponement or cancellation of the event without notice. BCC, the Organiser, shall not have any liability to ticket holders in respect of such delay, postponement or cancellation.
Please be aware that Belfast City Council will have an official photographer onsite as well as drone videography and photography taking place. If a specific image of an individual or a group is the focal point of a photograph, you will be asked for your consent to use the image and to complete a form(s) in line with the General Data Protection Regulation/Data Protection Act 2018.
Professional photographers who operate for public facing media are not permitted to operate within the event space without obtaining permission from Belfast City Council and providing details of their official accreditation alongside contact details.
Event attendees may not engage in any activity which the Organiser consider to be related to unauthorised marketing or advertising (including, for the avoidance of doubt, individual or group ambush marketing). The Organiser reserves the right to refuse admission to, or eject from, the premises any person who fails to comply with this restriction.
The event site is accessible to wheelchair users. Those who have booked tickets for the accessible viewing platform should enter via the Blue entrance at Donegall Square East. Patrons must have tickets designated for this area.
Parking is not available at the event.
No alcohol is permitted on site and Belfast City Council has the right to refuse entry to those under the influence of alcohol and who would be deemed by the organisers to be a hazard to themselves and/or others.
Should you leave the site you may not be able to re-enter; this will be at the discretion of the Event Controller during the event and may be dependent on the site reaching capacity.
Assistance dogs only.
No glass permitted on site.
No bicycles are permitted on site.
Charity collections, leafleting or other promotional activity are not permitted onsite.
Once on site you assume all risk of injury and all responsibility for property loss, destruction or theft, and release organisers, sponsors, performers, venue and their employees from any liability.
This outdoor event will happen regardless of weather conditions, so please dress accordingly and the use of umbrellas may be restricted.
Belfast City Council has the right to refuse admission.
Smoke effects, cold sparks, strobe lighting, lasers and loud noises may be used at this event.
You may be asked to undergo a search on entry. Failure to co-operate may delay or restrict your entry.

Belfast City Council reserves the right to make any alterations to the advertised details for the event. This information was correct at the time of going to print. Belfast City Council does not accept responsibility for any omissions or changes to the information.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Where is the event happening?

The event will take place outside City Hall along Donegall Square North and Donegall Place.

How do I get my tickets?

You can book tickets online on Tuesday 4 November from 10am and a later release at 7pm. Tickets are limited to five per booking.

You must have the QR code ready to scan on your mobile device at entry. Please remember to click through for your tickets as the email confirmation will not suffice as a booking.

Does everyone need a ticket including infants?

All patrons attending need a ticket. This includes young children in push chairs.

I need a wheelchair accessible ticket - how do I get one?

You can book wheelchair accessible tickets by calling 028 9024 6609 or in person at the Visit Belfast Welcome Centre from Tuesday 4 November at 10am. These are limited to two per booking.

Where are the entry points to the event?

Donegall Place - Green gate
Donegall Square West/Wellington Place - Red gate
Donegall Square East/Chichester Street - Blue gate
Wheelchair Accessible Viewing Platform - Donegall Square East/Chichester Street - Blue gate (Limited to two persons per booking)

What time do the entry points open?

Entry points to the site will open at 6pm.

Will the event still happen if it’s raining?

Yes, please dress appropriately for the weather.

Is the event accessible?

We are committed to making sure events are accessible and inclusive. For the Christmas Lights Switch-on event, we have these additional facilities available on site:

Wheelchair accessible viewing platform (ticketed, limited space) with mobile accessible toilet located nearby.
Signer on stage.
Palantypist (live subtitles).

There is no dedicated disabled car parking for the event. However, there are public car parks within close proximity to the venue.

What time does the event start and end?

The event starts at 6.30pm and will end at approximately 7.30pm. Gates open at 6pm.

Where are the first aid points?

The main first aid station is near the corner of Donegall Place/Donegall Square North (near Visit Belfast premises). First aiders and ambulances are located at all entrances.

Will there be stewards at the event?

Yes, the event will have stewarding personnel.

What are the times for each individual performance?

This information is not available as it is subject to change.

Can I take photos or videos at the event?

Yes, but for personal use only or if you have been given permission to do so by the organisers of the event. Professional photographers who operate for public-facing media are not permitted to operate within the event space without obtaining permission from Belfast City Council and providing details of their official accreditation alongside contact details.

Who should I contact if I have any media enquiries?

Media enquiries can be directed to [email protected].

Are there toilets available?

No, the event lasts under the recommended three-hour timeframe as proposed in HSE guidance. Public conveniences are still open for the duration of the event.

What are the arrangements for street cleaning after the event?

There will be a site sweep directly after the event by our cleansing operatives.

If I leave the event during the show, will I be able to get back in?

This is not guaranteed and will be subject to capacity on the evening.

Where are the parking facilities?

There is no designated parking for the event, but many city centre car parks are available.

Please allow plenty of time for travelling to the event and parking as it will be busy.

Is there any public transport running especially for the show?

No, however some Translink services will be diverted during the show, due to road closures. For updates, you should check Translink (link opens in new window).

Do I need to bring ID to the show?

No, however children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. An adult is defined as a responsible person aged 25 or over.

Are there food and drink stalls?

No, however the Christmas Market will open at 12 noon on the same day.

How do I access the Christmas Market?

The Christmas market will have an entrance gate on Donegall Square West and an exit gate on Donegall Square East.

Am I allowed to bring alcohol to the event?

No.

Can I get photographs or autographs with the acts?

There are no meet and greet opportunities with any of the performers.

If I feel unwell during the event, what should I do?

Please speak to your nearest steward who will assist you. We have first aiders on site.

Road restrictions

Christmas Lights Switch-on Road Restrictions

Road restrictions and diversions will be in place in and around Belfast city centre on Saturday 15 November due to the Christmas lights switch-on event.

We advise visitors to the city centre and those attending the event to plan their journey in advance, use public transport and allow extra time for their journeys.

Road restrictions

From 5am to 10am, Donegall Square North will close for all vehicular traffic except Translink services.

From 4.30pm to 8.30pm closures will be in place at:

Royal Avenue between Rosemary Street and Castle Place
Donegall Place
High Street between Castle Junction and Cornmarket
Castle Lane
Callender Street from bollards to Castle Lane
Castle Place

From 5.30pm to 8.30pm closures will be in place at:

Wellington Place
Donegall Square North
Donegall Square West

Parking suspensions and relocations

From 3am on Saturday 15 November until 5am on Sunday 16 November these measures will be in place.

Relocation of the taxi rank on Donegall Square North to Donegall Square East.
Suspension of disabled parking on Donegall Square North.
Suspension of parking on Upper Arthur Street.

There will also be no on-street parking, including blue badge spaces, from 4.30pm on Donegall Place and Castle Place (between Cornmarket and Royal Avenue).

Translink services

Translink will operate a normal service throughout the day on Saturday 15 November, but there may be some diversions before and during the event. For the latest information, check bus stop display screens or visit Translink's website (link opens in new window).