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Christmas in Belfast

  • Belfast’s festive season

    This year’s Christmas season begins on Saturday 15 November with the opening of the Christmas Market and our Christmas Lights Switch-on.

    The celebrations continue during the festive season, with free events at 2 Royal Avenue’s Winter’s Den, plus a selection of festive activity in the city centre and beyond.

  • Christmas events

    Event title Date Venue
    Belfast Christmas Market Saturday 15 November to Monday 22 December Belfast City Hall grounds
    Winter's Den at 2 Royal Avenue Saturday 15 November to Wednesday 31 December 2 Royal Avenue
    Santa's Post Office Sunday 16 November to Sunday 21 December 2 Royal Avenue
    Christmas animation programme Sunday 16 November to Sunday 14 December City centre
    C S Lewis Festival Friday 21 November and Saturday 22 November C S Lewis Square
    Winter Circus Friday 12 December to Sunday 4 January Writers' Square
    Pantomimes Various dates Theatres across Belfast

    View all our festive events

  • Holiday opening hours

    Some of our services and venue opening hours may be affected during the Christmas and New Year period. Check when your bin will be collected or when our offices are open. This page will be updated as information becomes available.

    See our holiday arrangements

  • Travel with Translink

    Translink is encouraging people to choose bus, coach and train to visit the city this Christmas. Or you can use park and ride and avoid bringing the car to the city. For more details, go to Translink (link opens in new window).

    There will be additional late-night services in operation over the festive period. Read about these services (link opens in new window).

  • Car parking, public toilets and Changing Places

    Car parking

    We publish information on all of our car parks, including holiday arrangements, to help you plan your parking before you leave. 

    Find all our city centre car parks

    Public toilets

    We operate and maintain public toilets in Belfast city centre and disabled access is available at 13 of our 14 public toilets.

    Find a public toilet

    Changing Places facility

    City Hall has a Changing Places facility. View opening hours and access arrangements.

  • Your bins and recycling at Christmas

    Most of us produce extra waste over the festive period, so it is important to know what goes in your bin, when your bin will be collected and what you can recycle, including Christmas trees, wrapping paper, crackers and Christmas cards.

    What goes in my bin

    Holiday bin collection dates

    Recycling your Christmas waste

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