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Culture
Belfast will host the Comhaltas Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, the world’s biggest celebration of Irish music and culture, for the first time from Sunday 2 August 2026 to Sunday 9 August 2026.
Qualifying competitors from all over the world will showcase the very best of traditional music, song, dance and language in All-Ireland competitions. Over 800,000 people are expected to enjoy the eight-day event which will also include street performances, pub sessions and stage concerts.
We are delivering the event in partnership with organisers, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, and their local branch Ards CCÉ as well as a range of city partners and other authorities.
For full information about the event, what’s on, transport information and more, visit the official Fleadh website Fleadh Cheoil (link opens in new window)
The Fleadh sections on this website support residents and businesses on what to expect and how to get ready as we prepare to extend our city’s warm welcome.
Watch our video about Fleadh Belfast. It plays for 90 seconds.
We have opportunities for traders to apply for a temporary street trading licence during the Fleadh.
If you’re a business looking to maximise the opportunities Fleadh offers, you can find out more about:
To ensure a safe and enjoyable event for all, we are proposing that all roads and streets within Belfast city centre will be closed to vehicle traffic. Additional traffic and parking changes will also apply. These measures will help ensure safe pedestrian movement and allow street performances and activities to take place.
We recognise that arrangements may affect residents and businesses. We’ll make every effort to minimise disruption.
We are proposing that road closures will be in operation from 6am on Sunday 2 August to 5am on Monday 10 August 2026, with flexibility planned where possible during the early part of the week. With significant crowds anticipated from Thursday 6 to Sunday 9 August, closures will phase-up in line with operational planning and to ensure visitor safety.
You can read details of the proposed road closures in Belfast for the event on our road closure applications page.
Delivery windows are incorporated into the road closure plan to allow business deliveries to continue. An Accreditation and Logistics Hub will be open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, to arrange access to premises inside the road closures.
We recommend using public transport to travel for everyone who lives, works and visits the city. Translink will maintain normal bus and train services during the Fleadh. There will be some minor changes to existing Metro and Glider Services in line with the existing tried and tested Translink plan for city centre events. Translink will provide full details about how to travel to and from the city centre during the event in due course.
Maintaining a clean and welcoming environment is always important and a shared responsibility. Additional bins and cleaning services will be in place, and we ask that businesses manage waste carefully.
We encourage visitors, residents and businesses to make use of the facilities provided and to follow any guidance issued.
During the summer, changes to resident bin collections will be implemented. We will add more information to our bins pages when it is available.
Help deliver the city’s famous warm welcome by becoming an event volunteer. Every performance, smiling face and unforgettable moment will be made possible by volunteers giving their time, energy and support.
Volunteer Now is recruiting two thousand volunteers to help run the eight-day event and it’s a great way to be part of the Fleadh. Volunteers will be instrumental in making the festival a success. Visitors will need to know how to get around the city, where to find performance venues, access facilities and more.
Find out more about volunteering, including how to register as a volunteer at Fleadh, at Fleadh Cheoil (link opens in new window).
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