- Belfast’s Christmas lights switch-on takes place on Saturday 14 November 2026.
- Free tickets will be available from visitbelfast.com from 10am on 3 November.
- A second release of tickets will be available from 7pm on the same evening.
- The event features The Shamrocks, Avenue Arts Academy and Cool FM presenters.
- A sensory switch-on takes place in 2 Royal Avenue from 6pm to 8.30pm.
Belfast City Council has confirmed tickets for the annual Christmas lights switch-on at City Hall on Saturday 14 November 2026. Lord Mayor of Belfast Councillor Róis-Máire Donnelly will be joined on stage by Bauer Media’s Cool FM presenters Stuart Robinson and Melissa Riddell for the evening. Free tickets will be available from visitbelfast.com on a first-come first-served basis from 10am on 3 November with a second release from 7pm the same evening. There is a limit of five tickets per booking.
The event features a choir from Bunscoil an tSléibhe Dhuibh, The Shamrocks joined by Avenue Arts Academy for a performance of Christmas in Belfast, Tumble Circus, Belvoir Players and The MAC sharing extracts from seasonal productions, the Quire Community Choir and Doogan Dance performing from The Nutcracker. The Belfast Christmas Market opens at 12 noon on Saturday 14 November with the same layout as previous years. A six-week programme of music and street performances will entertain shoppers across the city centre.
The switch-on event lasts around one hour with gates opening at 6pm and the event starting at 6.30pm. City centre road closures will be in effect from earlier in the afternoon and attendees are encouraged to use public transport. A wheelchair accessible viewing platform will be available with tickets limited to two per booking. A sensory switch-on will take place in 2 Royal Avenue from 6pm to 8.30pm with no tickets required.
Róis-Máire Donnelly shared “I’m looking forward to marking the start of the festive season with a fantastic line-up of seasonal performances and family entertainment.”
