Christmas Lights Switch-on

Christmas Lights switch-on event information

• Frequently asked questions

  • Where is the event happening? 
    The event will take place outside City Hall along Donegall Square North and Donegall Place.
  • Does everyone need a ticket for the event including infants? 
    Every person attending needs a valid ticket. This includes young children in push chairs.
  • How do I get tickets?
    Tickets will be available to book online on Tuesday 3 November at 10am and at 7pm. Tickets are limited to five per booking. 
    
    Tickets for the wheelchair-accessible viewing platform will be available to book online on Tuesday 3 November at 10am. Tickets are limited to two per booking. 
    
    When you receive ticket confirmation by email, you need to click to open your tickets. At the event, we won't accept an email confirmation as a booking. 
    
    
  • Where are the entry gates to the event? 
    • Donegall Place: green gate
    • Donegall Square West, Wellington Place: red gate
    • Donegall Square East, Chichester Street: blue gate

    There is a wheelchair-accessible viewing platform at the Donegall Square East, Chichester Street (blue gate). See signs within the area and speak to stewards on the ground.

  • What time do the entry gates open? 

    Gates open at 6pm. Access to the viewing platform opens at 5.45pm. At the entry gate, you must have the QR code ready to scan on your mobile device.

  • Will the event go ahead if it’s raining? 

    Yes. Please dress appropriately for the weather.

  • Is the event accessible? 

    We are committed to ensuring events are accessible and inclusive. For the Christmas Lights event, we have these facilities available on site:

    • wheelchair accessible viewing platform (ticketed, limited space) with A mobile accessible toilet nearby
    • British Sign Language (BSL) signer on stage
    • palantypist (live subtitles)

    There is no dedicated disabled car parking for the event. There are public car parks close to the event site.

  • What time does the event start and end? 

    The event is on Saturday 14 November 2026. Gates open at 6pm. The event starts at 6.30pm and ends at 7.30pm.

  • Where are the first aid points? 

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

  • Will the event be stewarded? 

    Yes, the event will have stewards.

  • What are the times for each individual performance? 

    This 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 by the event organisers. 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? 

    For media enquiries, email [email protected].

  • Are there toilets available? 

    No. The event lasts under the recommended three hour timeframe as proposed in HSE guidance. Public toilets 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 immediately after the event by Belfast City Council cleansing.

  • 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. City centre car parks are open.

  • Is there any public transport running especially for the show?

    No. Some Translink services will be diverted during the show. To check updates, go to Translink  (link opens in new window).

  • Do I need to bring ID to the event? 

    No. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. This is defined as a responsible person aged 25 or over.

  • Are there food and drink stalls? 

    No. But the Christmas Market will open at 12 noon on the same day, Saturday 14 November.

  • How do I access the Christmas Market? 

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

  • Are you allowed to bring alcohol to the event? 

    No. But the Christmas Market will open at 12 noon on the same day, Saturday 14 November.

  • Can I get autographs or photographs with the acts? 

    There are no meet and greet opportunities with performers.

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

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

• Terms and conditions for Belfast Christmas Lights switch-on

  It is important ticket-holders read our terms and conditions for the event.

  • This is a ticketed event. Every person attending the event must have  a ticket, this includes young children in push chairs. Only people with tickets will be permitted entry.
  • This is an outdoor, standing event.
  • Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. This mean a responsible person aged 25 or over. 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 begin at 6.30pm and will finish at approximately 7.30pm.
  • Ticket-holders 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 from 5.45pm via Donegall Square East, Chichester Street only (limited to two people per booking).
  • Every effort will be made to admit latecomers with booked 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 our events if it is deemed, by the council, that a patron is in breach of this position. Belfast City Council also has a duty to ensure various equality rights are protected under Section 75 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 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 wristband holders in respect of such delay, postponement or cancellation.  
  • Please be aware that Belfast City Council will have an official photographer onsite. 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 in line with the General Data Protection Regulation and 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 and 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. People who book tickets for the accessible viewing platform should enter via Blue entrance at Donegall Square East. Patrons must have tickets designated for this area.
  • Parking is not available at the event.
  • Alcohol is not allowed on site. Belfast City Council has the right to refuse entry to people under the influence of alcohol and who would be deemed by the organisers to be a hazard to themselves or other people.
  • If 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.  
  • No dogs are allowed at the event except assistance dogs.
  • No glass is allowed on site.
  • No bicycles are allowed on site.
  • Charity collections, leafleting or other promotional activity are not permitted on site.
  • 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 take place regardless of weather conditions. Please dress accordingly. The use of umbrellas may be restricted.  
  • Belfast City Council has the right to refuse admission.  
  • Smoke effects, 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.

• Map of the Christmas Lights switch-on

  This map shows the area outside Belfast City Hall where ticket-holders will gather along Donegall Place and Donegall Square North to watch our Christmas lights switch-on event on Saturday 14 November from 6.30pm to 7.30pm. 

  The map has coloured arrows to show how different ticket-holders will enter. The map has: 

  • a green arrow to show that green ticket-holders must enter the event site via Donegall Place
  • a blue arrow to show that the blue ticket-holders and wheelchair-accessible platform ticket-holders must enter via Chichester Street, and
  • a red arrow to show that red ticket-holders must enter via Wellington Place.