Belfast City Hall is home to one of the UK’s most famous Christmas markets. With fresh local produce, handmade crafts, and plenty of festive cheer, it has become one of the city’s main attractions in November and December. This year, the market runs every day until Friday 22nd December. Here’s a look at how it has changed through its 20-year history.
2004’s humble beginnings
Back in 2004, there were only 28 stalls. This year’s instalment, however, is hosting more than 100 stalls, making it Northern Ireland’s biggest festive market.
The market was initially only run on a trial basis. It was one of the first contracts for Market Place Europe, and after a successful four days in 2004, Belfast City Council voted to hold a month-long market for the next three years.
Market Place’s intention was to give Belfast’s visitors the feel of an international-style market. The company designed and built Alpine-style wooden chalets. However, they didn’t want every chalet to look identical, so they designed a range of models and put them together to make the Christmas village.
After three successful years, the council voted in favour of holding the market for another three years. After ten years, it was described by Market Trade News as one of Europe’s leading Christmas markets. The queues have been known to circle City Hall twice.
The expansion of the market has had a noticeable impact on tourism. Many travel sites from around the world highlight the event, while dozens of reviewers mention the market on Belfast City Hall’s TripAdvisor page.
Alan Hartwell, the managing director of the festival, told The Irish News that the organisers were proud to celebrate 20 years of festive celebrations. Hartwell highlighted the festival’s support for young entrepreneurs and the funds it raised for charities.
Christmas in a range of industries
Christmas influences almost every industry imaginable. The Belgian waffles and handmade decorations at the festival illustrate how Christmas shapes offerings in food and crafts. However, everything else changes, too. For example, retailers and online marketplaces like Amazon adjust their inventory to meet the December demands, while streaming services highlight Christmas films and music.
The gaming industry also tries to make the most of the season. While console players have rarely embraced festive-themed games, the trend is a lot more visible in online and mobile games. Casinos have long adapted their slots with Christmas themes. Players can try games like Christmas in Papertown and Christmas Bonanza on the same sites they use to play baccarat online, which is a game that typically keeps its theme consistent throughout the year.
Similarly, restaurants and hotels offer holiday packages, sending a flurry of emails and advertising heavily on social media, while theatres stage Christmas-themed shows. The holidays often inspire businesses to experiment with one-off products and experiences that capitalise on the festive mood.
What to know
More than 40,000 visitors passed through the stalls on the opening weekend alone last year, and a total of a million people were expected to visit the market.
Visitors make the trip for different reasons. The food court offers everything from wild boar to pancakes, with cuisines from more than 30 nationalities represented. There are also many activities on offer, including the famous helter-skelter and Santa’s grotto.
For people who can’t get enough of the festive celebrations, there are several other Belfast events taking place this December. These include the Enchanted Winter Garden at Antrim Castle, which runs until December 30th, and Ballycastle Christmas Market on December 14th.
Opening hours for Belfast Christmas Market
Here is a look at the schedule for this year’s market:
Monday-Wednesday: 10am-8pm
Thursday-Saturday: 10am-10pm
Sunday: 12pm-6pm
There’s no dedicated parking at City Hall, but there are several 24-hour car parks in the city centre situated within walking distance of the market.
Planning a festive day out? See our Christmas in Belfast 2026 guide for markets, lights and events.
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