There’s nothing quite like the first mulled wine of the season in the shadow of City Hall. Belfast’s festive market season is almost here, and this guide rounds up the Christmas markets in Belfast and across Northern Ireland for 2026 that have official or expected dates so far. Where an organiser hasn’t confirmed its 2026 plans, we’ve marked it clearly as TBC instead of guessing.
Everything below was checked against organisers’ and councils’ own websites on 26 September 2026 and updated on 7 October 2026. For the City Hall market in depth, including parking and what to expect on site, see our dedicated Belfast Christmas Market 2026 guide.
Christmas markets 2026 at a glance
- Belfast City Hall Christmas Market: Saturday 14 November to Tuesday 22 December 2026, free entry
- Belfast Christmas lights switch-on: Saturday 14 November 2026, 6.30pm to 7.30pm, City Hall (free but ticketed)
- Christmas Twilight Market, St George’s Market: expected 24–25 Nov (TBC by council)
- Guildhall Craft Fair, Derry: Friday 13 to Sunday 15 November, 10am to 6pm
- Newry Christmas Markets: Thursday 19 November to Sunday 20 December, Thursdays to Sundays
- Strabane Christmas lights switch-on with Christmas markets: Saturday 21 November
- Royal Hillsborough Christmas Market: TBC — 2026 dates not yet announced
Belfast City Hall Christmas Market 2026
The chalets on the City Hall lawns are the big one, a proper Belfast tradition. Belfast City Council has confirmed the 2026 market runs from Saturday 14 November to Tuesday 22 December in the City Hall gardens. It opens at 12 noon on 14 November, the same day as the lights switch-on, and closes at 6pm on 22 December. Hours are Monday to Wednesday 10am to 8pm, Thursday to Saturday 10am to 10pm and Sunday 12 noon to 6pm. Entry is free. Full details in our City Hall market guide.
Our City Hall market guide also covers parking and getting there, our Christmas in Belfast guide has more festive ideas around the city, and the switch-on itself has its own page: Belfast Christmas lights switch-on 2026.
Christmas Twilight Market at St George’s Market
St George’s Market is gorgeous at the best of times, and even more so when it’s dressed for Christmas after dark. The Christmas Twilight Market is expected to return to St George’s Market on 24–25 November (4pm–10pm, free), according to trader notices; Belfast City Council has yet to publish official details. Last year it ran on 25–26 November. It’s a great place to pick up gifts from local makers and producers. Last year’s launch had plenty of festive family fun, as we reported in our 2025 Twilight Market piece. For the regular weekend markets, see our St George’s Market listing and when to go and what to eat.
Newry Christmas Markets
Newry’s Christmas market is back for a second year after drawing more than 65,000 visitors in its first, according to organisers. From Thursday 19 November to Sunday 20 December 2026, the city’s historic 17th-century Variety Market Hall hosts what organisers say will be up to 70 stalls of festive food and drink, crafts and gifts. It’s open every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday for five weeks. The organisers say the market opens alongside Newry’s Christmas lights switch-on. There’s also a ticketed Santa’s Christmas Workshop experience lasting 30 to 45 minutes, which includes a visit with Santa and a gift, with one accompanying adult free. Details at newrychristmasmarket.com.
Derry and Strabane
If you’re heading north-west, the Guildhall Craft Fair is at the Guildhall in Derry from Friday 13 to Sunday 15 November 2026, 10am to 6pm. It’s a good spot for handmade gifts and local artisan food. A week later, Strabane’s Christmas lights switch-on on Saturday 21 November comes with an afternoon of Christmas markets, live music, pony rides and creative activities. Timings are still to be confirmed. Derry’s own lights switch-on is on Friday 20 November. See Visit Derry’s Christmas events page for updates.
Festive shopping nights at National Trust Mount Stewart
This isn’t a market, but it’s a lovely festive evening out. Mount Stewart on the Ards Peninsula opens its house after dark for its Christmas Unveiling on Friday 27 November 2026, 5pm to 8pm. Expect Christmas music, the big tree, hot chocolate in the tea-room and some Christmas shopping. You don’t need to book, but normal admission applies (National Trust members free). Only the house, shop and tea-room are open that evening. A further Christmas Late Night Opening is listed for 18 and 19 December. See our Mount Stewart listing.
Still to be announced for 2026
- Royal Hillsborough Christmas Market on The Dark Walk at Hillsborough Fort: the latest official listing is for last year’s event, so 2026 is TBC. Our earlier coverage gives a flavour.
- Lisburn city-centre Christmas events: no 2026 details from Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council yet (TBC).
- Cathedral Quarter Christmas art market: TBC — 2026 dates not yet announced. Here’s how it looked last year.
Planning a family trip rather than a market crawl? Magical Christmas at Glenarm Castle is already on sale for December.
Christmas markets Belfast 2026: FAQ
When does the Belfast Christmas Market 2026 open?
Saturday 14 November 2026 at 12 noon. It runs until Tuesday 22 December at Belfast City Hall.
Is entry to Belfast’s Christmas markets free?
Yes for the big one: Belfast City Council lists admission to the City Hall Christmas Market as free. Trader notices say the St George’s Christmas Twilight Market will also be free to enter, but the council has yet to publish official details for it. For other markets, check each organiser’s listing, as individual experiences such as Santa visits are often ticketed.
When is the St George’s Market Christmas Twilight Market 2026?
It’s expected on 24–25 November 2026 (4pm–10pm, free), according to trader notices; Belfast City Council has yet to publish official details. Last year it ran on 25–26 November.
What other Christmas markets are there in Northern Ireland in 2026?
Confirmed so far: Newry Christmas Markets (19 November to 20 December, Thursdays to Sundays), the Guildhall Craft Fair in Derry (13 to 15 November) and Christmas markets at Strabane’s switch-on (21 November). Royal Hillsborough and Lisburn are still TBC.
How do I get to Belfast City Hall for the Christmas market?
City Hall is at Donegall Square, right in the city centre. Parking gets busy on weekends in the run-up to Christmas, so check Translink for bus and rail options. Our City Hall market guide lists nearby car parks.
For more festive plans, keep an eye on our What’s On hub.
Planning Belfast and Dublin together? For the dual winter plan (including Everwinter at the RDS), see Christmas markets & winter destinations 2026.
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.
