Opportunities for businesses

Play your part - business opportunities

Hosting the Fleadh in Belfast provides a valuable opportunity for local businesses to engage with a large and diverse audience. With over 800,000 people expected, hospitality, retail and service sectors can expect increased demand before, during and after the event.

Preparing for higher customer volumes is essential. Think ahead about staffing, stock levels and payment systems for a smoother experience for customers and your business.

To maximise the opportunity, businesses can consider extending their opening hours where appropriate, as well as adapting their offer to reflect the event. This could include themed menus, window displays, or highlighting locally produced goods.

All businesses should also make sure they follow our guidance on licensing, hygiene and waste management during the event.

In the run-up to Fleadh, we have advertised several specific opportunities for local businesses to get involved in council-run or managed activities at the event. 

They have included:     
•    vendors to trade at our Food Village at St Anne’s Square 
•    temporary street licensing licences for designated streets inside the event zone 
•    additional stall space at St George’s Market and Verner Street during extended market hours

These opportunities have now closed, and successful applicants will be contacted directly.

Sponsorship and partnering

There are many ways for brands and organisations to gain exposure and support Fleadh Belfast. We welcome expressions of interest from potential sponsors and partners who would like to be part of this landmark event.

If you are interested in partnership or sponsorship opportunities, email [email protected].

View our tender opportunities to find out more about our call for sponsorship 

Fleadh road closure information sessions

We will hold information sessions about city centre road closures on 6 and 7 July 2026. These sessions are for suppliers and city centre businesses.

Sunday trading

Following a public consultation, we agreed to designate the Belfast City Council area as a holiday resort on Sunday 2 August and Sunday 9 August, during the Fleadh. This means large stores can open at 11am on those days, so everyone can shop earlier and for longer. 

Pavement cafés and entertainment licences

We issue licences for pavement cafés in Belfast. A pavement café licence authorises a business supplying food or drink (in or from premises) to place furniture on a public area for use by customers. Read more about pavement café licences.

We also issue entertainment licences. If you’re making plans for your premises, contact our licensing team about your options by emailing [email protected].