Belfast Christmas lights switch-on 2026: Free tickets, dates and entertainment announced
Free tickets for the Belfast Christmas lights switch-on 2026 will be released on Tuesday 3 November, with thousands of people expected to welcome the festive season at Belfast City Hall.
Belfast City Council has confirmed that this year’s Christmas lights switch-on will take place on Saturday 14 November, featuring live music, family entertainment and performances from local arts organisations.
Tickets will be available through Visit Belfast from 10am on Tuesday 3 November, with a second release at 7pm that evening.
Admission is free, but tickets must be booked in advance, with a maximum of five tickets permitted per booking.
How to get Belfast Christmas lights switch-on 2026 tickets
Tickets for the event will be released in two stages on Tuesday 3 November.
The first allocation will become available at 10am, followed by a second release at 7pm.
Both allocations will be available through the Visit Belfast website on a first-come, first-served basis.
There is a limit of five tickets per booking, and everyone attending must have their own ticket, including infants and young children.
Visitors should ensure they have their ticket’s QR code available for scanning at the entrance, as an email booking confirmation alone will not be accepted.
The council is encouraging people interested in attending to book early because of the event’s popularity.
When and where is the Belfast Christmas lights switch-on?
The annual celebration will take place outside Belfast City Hall on Saturday 14 November 2026.
Gates will open at 6pm, with the entertainment programme beginning at 6.30pm and finishing at approximately 7.30pm.
The event will take place along Donegall Square North and Donegall Place, with ticket-holders directed to designated entrance gates.
City centre road closures will be in place from earlier in the afternoon, and visitors are advised to use public transport where possible and allow additional time for their journeys.
Children under 16 must be accompanied by a responsible adult aged 25 or over.
Cool FM presenters and local performers lead festive celebrations
Lord Mayor of Belfast Councillor Róis-Máire Donnelly will be joined by Cool FM presenters Stuart Robinson and Melissa Riddell for the annual countdown to the Christmas lights being switched on.
Credit: Belfast City Council
The evening will feature a range of music, theatre, dance and family entertainment.
A choir from Bunscoil an tSléibhe Dhuibh will open the show, while The Shamrocks and Avenue Arts Academy will perform the festive song Christmas in Belfast.
Other performances will include:
– Tumble Circus, presenting a preview of its Winter Circus.
– Belvoir Players, featuring a performance inspired by Cinderella.
– The MAC, offering a taste of its Goldilocks and the Three Bears production.
– Quire Community Choir, performing the Christmas film song Somewhere in My Memory.
– Doogan Dance Academy, presenting an extract from The Nutcracker.
The Lord Mayor said she was looking forward to marking the beginning of the festive season with a programme of entertainment for families.
She also encouraged residents to secure tickets early and join the celebrations in the city centre.
Accessible viewing and sensory Christmas lights event
A wheelchair-accessible viewing platform will be available at the main switch-on event.
Tickets for the platform will be released from 10am on Tuesday 3 November and will be limited to two people per booking.
Accessible viewing tickets can be arranged through the Visit Belfast Welcome Centre or by calling 028 9024 6609.
The main event will also provide British Sign Language interpretation and live subtitles.
For families who prefer a quieter experience, a separate sensory Christmas lights switch-on will take place at 2 Royal Avenue on Saturday 14 November, from 6pm until 8.30pm.
The sensory event will feature snow-themed activities, Christmas characters and the lighting of the indoor Christmas tree.
No tickets are required for the sensory event.
Belfast Christmas Market opens on the same day
The Belfast Christmas Market will also return to the grounds of City Hall on Saturday 14 November.
The market will open at 12 noon, allowing visitors to explore its festive stalls before the evening switch-on.
The city’s Christmas tree will once again be a central feature of the celebrations at City Hall.
Belfast City Council is also planning a six-week programme of music and street performances across the city centre as part of its Unwrap Belfast at Christmas campaign.
Further details of those activities are expected to be announced.
What visitors need to know before attending
The Christmas lights switch-on is an outdoor standing event, and visitors are advised to dress appropriately for the weather.
Ticket-holders will be allocated an entrance gate when booking, and the council recommends checking ticket instructions before travelling.
There will be no dedicated event parking, while some public transport services may be affected by road closures and diversions.
The main event is free but strictly ticketed, and tickets cannot be resold.
Residents planning to attend should check the Belfast City Council and Visit Belfast websites for the latest arrangements before travelling.
Ticket booking: Visit Belfast — ticket booking website
External link: Belfast City Council — Christmas lights switch-on 2026
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