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Fleadh 2026 (2 to 9 August)
Over 800,000 visitors are expected in Belfast during Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann from Sunday 2 to Sunday 9 August.
If you’re in Belfast during the Fleadh, you will need to:
Visitors from across Ireland and overseas should check travel information on Fleadh Cheoil (link opens in new window).
During the Fleadh, we are closing many Belfast city centre streets and roads for pedestrian movement and to allow street performances and activities to take place. Cyclists should dismount from their bikes before entering the pedestrian zone.
To support the safe movement of visitors in the city, the pedestrian zone extends to these streets from Wednesday 5 August until the Fleadh is over:
There will be additional road closures as part of the takedown of the event infrastructure from 10 to 12 August.
View the pedestrian zone on our map
Look out for information signs highlighting any temporary suspension of on-street parking bays, to support the event operation.
No stopping restrictions are in place around the perimeter of the pedestrian zone (for example, at Dunbar Link, Great Patrick Street, Carrick Hill and Millfield) to help manage traffic flow.
If your business is in the pedestrian zone, check information on delivery and collection arrangements during the Fleadh.
Translink is the public transport company which offers bus and rail services in Northern Ireland.
There may be some changes to their services including bus stops and pick-up points.
Plan your journey with Translink (link opens in new window).
Translink is running a free city centre loop bus for people with mobility problems and musicians carrying large instruments to and from performances and competitions.
Bus stops and times are published on Translink's website (link opens in new window)
There are three dedicated park and ride sites for Fleadh visitors. The sites are outside Belfast city centre and located at:
Free shuttle buses are running from each site to Belfast city centre. The shuttle buses are accessible with low floors.
Park and ride costs £10 a day. To book, visit Fleadh Cheoil website (link opens in new window).
Some on-street Blue Badge parking in Belfast city centre is unavailable but there are two dedicated free car parks for Blue Badge-holders at Dunbar Street and Smithfield on Winetavern Street. Spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
During city centre road closures, you must show your Blue Badge to event stewards on your way to these car parks.
The Frank and Honest Belfast Bikes public bike hire scheme, operated by Beryl, has over 50 docking stations and 400 bikes across the city, including electric bikes. It's Belfast's only government-subsidised public bike share scheme. While it's a great way to get into the city, please be aware cyclists must dismount in the pedestrian zone. During the Fleadh, these stations in the pedestrian zone are closed:
Stations located around the pedestrian zone and at the Fleadh campsites have extra space for bike parking using geofencing technology. This means you can end your ride close to the stations without returning the bike to a docking point. You can see the marked area on the Beryl app.
You can register on Belfast Bikes (link opens in new window) or visit your app store and download the Beryl app.
There are free unlocks on Belfast Bikes until the end of August. You don't pay a fee to start your ride. You pay for the time you ride, or you can use your minutes-bundle.
Get 20 per cent discount on 100-minute bundles from 27 July to 9 August. Enter the promotional code FLEADH20 in the Beryl app. This minute bundle offer doesn't apply to Beryl student discount.
For private coaches, there is a passenger pick-up and drop-off (PUDO) terminal in Linenhall Street and three parking sites.
We appointed The Traffic Management Company to manage coach bookings for the Linenhall Street terminal and coach parking sites. Tour operators must book a slot to enter the coach terminal or a coach parking site. PUDO slots and coach parking sites are free.
To book PUDO slots, go to Book a coach pick-up or drop-off slot and coach parking (link opens in new window).
There are also comfort and convenience facilities for coach drivers at our coach parking sites. For more information, complete the booking form or contact [email protected].
Most existing public hire taxi pick-up ranks continue to operate where possible within the pedestrian zone, with some temporary relocations at peak times. These arrangements have been communicated directly to operators.
Bridge Street, Donegall Square North and Donegall Square East taxi ranks are closed, as they lie within the extended pedestrian zone. Public hire taxis, which currently use the ranks at Donegall Square North and Donegall Square East, can use Upper Arthur Street and back onto Chichester Street - the nearest available rank.
We have worked with private taxis to establish designated pick-up and drop-off points around the pedestrian zone. These are located at:
We have appointed The Traffic Management Company to support us with road closures during the Fleadh.
If you’re a taxi, tour or coach operator and you’re unsure about your arrangements for the event, please contact this team to advise you. Email [email protected] or call 07501 386203.
Our city centre car parks in the pedestrian zone are closed during the Fleadh.
There are exceptions in some car parks for permit-holders and Blue Badge-holders.
These car parks are closed until Wednesday 12 August 2026:
These car parks are restricted to Blue Badge-parking only until Sunday 9 August 2026:
Little Donegall Street car park currently has limited parking spaces.
You must not park on double yellow lines or pavements – this restricts the safe flow of pedestrians. It also limits accessibility and causes problems for public transport. You could also get a parking fine.
Charges apply to off-street car parking. The Department for Infrastructure will enforce parking restrictions as normal.
We recommend people use public transport, walk or cycle to get around Belfast, due to anticipated crowds at the Fleadh.
If you usually travel through the city centre for work, appointments or other reasons, you will need to plan your journey.
Fleadh Cheoil (link opens in new window) has information on travelling between Fleadh venues and exploring neighbourhood events. While most Fleadh events will take place in Belfast city centre, there will be plenty of activities in local areas.
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