The date is in. Belfast’s Christmas lights switch-on 2026 takes place at City Hall on Saturday 14 November 2026, officially kicking off Christmas in the city. Here’s what Belfast City Council has confirmed so far, how tickets will work, and when towns across Northern Ireland are switching on their own lights, where councils have published dates.
All details were checked against council and organiser websites on 26 September 2026 and updated on 7 October 2026. Anything not yet announced is marked TBC.
Belfast City Hall Christmas lights switch-on 2026
- Date: Saturday 14 November 2026
- Time: 6.30pm to 7.30pm
- Where: Belfast City Hall, Donegall Square
- Tickets: free, but ticketed. The council will publish ticket release details on its event page, so the release date is TBC.
- Who: the Lord Mayor of Belfast, joined on stage by local artists and performers. The line-up is TBC.
The council calls the switch-on the start of Christmas in Belfast. Once the lights are on, festive plans across the city include music and animation around Belfast, activities at 2 Royal Avenue, and the Christmas market. Keep an eye on the official switch-on page for ticket news. Because it’s ticketed, don’t just turn up on the night expecting to get into the grounds. Book as soon as tickets are released.
What about the market? The City Hall Christmas Market opens the same day, at 12 noon on Saturday 14 November, and runs until Tuesday 22 December 2026. See our Christmas markets Belfast 2026 round-up and City Hall market guide.
Christmas lights switch-on dates around Northern Ireland 2026
These are the switch-ons that councils (or their official tourism sites) have dated so far:
- Derry: Friday 20 November 2026. Santa leads a festive procession through the city streets, switching on the lights as he passes. Time TBC. Source: Visit Derry.
- Cookstown: Friday 20 November 2026, town centre, free. Time TBC. Source: Mid Ulster District Council.
- Strabane: Saturday 21 November 2026, a full afternoon with Christmas markets, live music, pony rides and creative activities. Time TBC. Source: Visit Derry.
- Omagh: Saturday 21 November 2026 from 1pm, with festive entertainment. More details to follow. Source: Fermanagh & Omagh District Council.
- Enniskillen: Saturday 21 November 2026 from 1pm, with festive entertainment. More details to follow. Source: Fermanagh & Omagh District Council.
- Magherafelt: Saturday 21 November 2026, town centre, free. Time TBC. Source: Mid Ulster District Council.
- Dungannon: Saturday 28 November 2026, 6pm to 7.30pm, free. Source: Mid Ulster District Council.
Still to be confirmed
- Ards and North Down: the council has reserved Saturday 21 and Saturday 28 November 2026 for its large-town Christmas switch-on celebrations, but hasn’t yet published which town is on which date or the times (TBC). Community-run switch-ons in smaller towns and villages will fall on other dates.
- Newry: the organisers of Newry Christmas Markets say their market (from Thursday 19 November) opens alongside the city’s lights switch-on, but Newry, Mourne and Down District Council hadn’t published a 2026 switch-on listing when we checked (TBC — 2026 date not yet announced).
- Lisburn: no 2026 city-centre switch-on date from Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council yet (TBC — 2026 date not yet announced).
More Christmas lights to see in 2026
Enchanted Winter Garden, Antrim Castle Gardens
Antrim Castle Gardens becomes a festive wonderland again from 2 to 28 December 2026, with a twinkling light trail, fun fair and enchanted grotto. Organisers promise bigger, brighter lights and four extra nights this year. Inclusive evenings are on 3 and 9 December, and the Grinch takes over on 27 and 28 December once Santa heads home. Antrim and Newtownabbey residents can register for resident pricing. Details at enchantedwintergarden.com.
Christmas Unveiling at Mount Stewart
See the historic house dressed in twinkling lights and Christmas trees after dark at Mount Stewart’s Christmas Unveiling on Friday 27 November 2026, 5pm to 8pm. You don’t need to book, but normal admission applies (National Trust members free). The gardens and trails are closed that evening. See our Mount Stewart listing.
Magical Christmas at Glenarm Castle
For a festive family day out on the Antrim coast, read our Magical Christmas at Glenarm Castle news piece.
Belfast Christmas lights switch-on 2026: FAQ
When is the Belfast Christmas lights switch-on 2026?
Saturday 14 November 2026, 6.30pm to 7.30pm, at Belfast City Hall.
Do I need a ticket for the Belfast switch-on?
Yes. Belfast City Council says it will be a ticketed event and will publish ticket release information on its switch-on page. The release date is TBC.
Is the Belfast Christmas lights switch-on free?
The council lists it as a free event. You’ll still need a ticket once they’re released.
Who is switching on Belfast’s Christmas lights in 2026?
The Lord Mayor of Belfast will be joined on stage by local artists and performers. The full line-up hasn’t been announced yet.
When does the Belfast Christmas Market 2026 open?
Saturday 14 November 2026 at 12 noon, the same day as the switch-on. It runs until Tuesday 22 December.
When are other Northern Ireland towns switching on their lights?
Confirmed so far: Derry and Cookstown on 20 November; Strabane, Omagh, Enniskillen and Magherafelt on 21 November; and Dungannon on 28 November 2026.
Looking back? Here’s how Christmas in Belfast 2025 went. For everything else happening in the city, see our What’s On hub.
Driving into the city? Our guide to parking in Belfast covers car parks, on-street parking and Park & Ride.
Discover more from LoveBelfast
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
