The Belfast Christmas Market runs at Belfast City Hall, with over 100 international and local stalls. Confirmed 2026 dates: 14 November to 22 December 2026.
Belfast City Hall
The market’s setting is itself worth a look - City Hall was built in 1906, a Baroque Revival landmark that anchors the market each year.
Opening Times
Monday to Wednesday: 10am-8pm. Thursday to Saturday: 10am-10pm (late nights). Sunday: 12 noon-6pm. Hours can shift year to year, so it’s worth a quick check against the official belfastcity.gov.uk listing close to your visit rather than treating these as fixed forever.
Food & Drink
The market draws traders from around 30 countries (sources vary between roughly 28 and 32 depending on the year and who’s counting - not a fixed number worth quoting precisely), with food ranging from wild boar sausage to Belgian waffles, plus the popular Glühwein and Beer Tent for mulled wine, ale, and continental drinks.
Shopping & Family Activities
Stalls range from Belleek Pottery to handmade crafts and gifts. Family activities include Santa’s Grotto, a vintage helter-skelter, and a traditional carousel - the helter-skelter also gives a bird’s-eye view over the market. No admission fee to enter the market itself.
Recognition: in 2025, the market was named by The Times as one of the “Best Christmas Markets in the UK” - a real, dated accolade rather than a claim of ongoing/current ranking.
Getting There
Montgomery Street Car Park and Q-Park Victoria Square are both a short walk from the market. One unverified claim worth flagging rather than silently repeating: the market’s own promotional content mentions free city parking after 6pm - not independently confirmed this pass, so check current signage or the council’s own parking pages before relying on it.
Visiting Tips
Bring cash - not every stall takes card. Dress in warm layers; visiting after dark, when City Hall is lit up, is worth the cold.
