Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026

Fleadh Belfast

Belfast will host Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, the world’s biggest celebration of Irish music and culture, from Sunday 2 August 2026 to Sunday 9 August 2026. Qualifying competitors from all over the world will showcase the very best of traditional music, song, dance and language in All-Ireland competitions.The Comhaltas Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann promises to be a momentous event for Belfast. With a minimum of 700,000 visitors from across the world, it is shaping up to be the biggest cultural event held in Belfast.

What to expect at Fleadh 2026

Across the eight-day festival, activities and experiences will include:

• competitions
• concerts
• street performances
• pub sessions
• pageants
• recitals
• ceili bands
• marching bands
• exhibitions
• family fun
• fringe activities
• Irish language hub.

Where to find out more about Fleadh 2026

Working with Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, Ards CCÉ, city partners and other authorities, we are currently developing event details. A map with Fleadh venues, key sites, park and ride facilities and bus routes will be published on the official Fleadh website Fleadh Cheoil (link opens in new window). This update will also include information on fringe events, ticket booking and prices.

Fleadh Belfast video

Watch our video about Fleadh Belfast. It plays for two-minutes and 10 seconds.

How you can be part of The Fleadh

Volunteer Now is recruiting over one thousand volunteers to help us run The Fleadh in Belfast. Volunteers will be instrumental in making the eight-day festival a success. Every performance, smiling face and unforgettable moment will be made possible by volunteers giving their time, energy and support.

Becoming a Fleadh volunteer offers an opportunity to:

• meet new people
• learn new skills
• be part of a community
• experience The Fleadh's energy from the inside.

A range of volunteering roles will be available including:

• street ambassadors
• team leaders, and
• customer services.

Volunteer Now will provide specialist training to every volunteer. Volunteer training will start in early 2026.

Express an interest in volunteering

To express your interest in volunteering at the Fleadh, go to Volunteer Now (link opens in new window).

Ards Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann

Formed in 1976, Ards CCÉ promotes traditional music, song and dance throughout Belfast and the North Down and Ards area. It will be a proud moment for this Comhaltas branch to host Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in 2026 as they mark their 50th anniversary year. For information, go to Ards CCÉ (link opens in new window).

History of Fleadh Cheoil and Comhaltas

Fleadh Cheoil means ‘a festival, or feast, of music’. The first Fleadh Cheoil was held in Mullingar in 1951 by the newly formed, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (CCÉ). The group wanted to prevent the decline in traditional Irish music and created a festival to bring together performers and celebrate the tradition.

Comhaltas is now an international cultural movement committed to the promotion of Irish music, song and dance throughout Ireland and across the world. They run numerous fleadhanna each year at county and provincial level, and also in overseas regions. The biggest and best-known of these festivals is Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, simply known as The Fleadh. The performers who compete at The Fleadh for All-Ireland titles, have qualified through participation at their local fleadhanna. Local branches of Comhaltas are integral to hosting Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann.