Fleadh 2026 · Belfast
The short version of everything visitors ask about Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026 in Belfast — dates, sessions, camping, the shuttle bus and getting around.
Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026 runs from Sunday 2 August to Sunday 9 August 2026 in Belfast. It is the first time the festival has ever been hosted in Belfast.
The Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann is the world's biggest celebration of traditional Irish music and culture, organised by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. The week features concerts, céilís, pub sessions, street performances and the prestigious All-Ireland music competitions.
Fleadh events take place right across Belfast — in concert halls, pubs, churches, streets and outdoor stages, with the heaviest concentration around the city centre. Use the live map to see every participating venue and how busy it is right now.
Most of the Fleadh is free — street performances, pub sessions and much of the outdoor programme cost nothing. Headline concerts and some special events are ticketed, and each listing in the programme shows whether it is free or ticketed.
The All-Ireland competitions take place from Friday 7 to Sunday 9 August 2026 at venues across Belfast. The competition timetable can be searched by day, age group, competition and venue in this guide; all details remain subject to change, so refer to the official Fleadh Clár upon arrival.
Browse the competition timetable →View competition venues on the map →
Belfast city centre is compact and walkable. A free Fleadh shuttle bus links the campsite, The Pavilion, Lavery's and the city centre, while three official Park & Ride sites serve visitors arriving via the M1, M2 and M3. Full shuttle stops, timetables and Park & Ride details are on the bus page.
The three official Fleadh Park & Ride sites are Eikon Exhibition Centre near the M1, Giant’s Park near the M2 and Belfast Harbour near the M3. Eikon and Belfast Harbour offer single-day or multi-day parking, while Giant’s Park is single-day only. Free shuttle buses connect the sites to Grand Central Station or Laganside Bus Station.
Fleadh Park & Ride costs £10 per vehicle per day and parking spaces must be booked in advance. Book through RingGo using location code 58692 for Eikon Exhibition Centre or 58691 for Giant’s Park; check the official Fleadh travel page for the latest Belfast Harbour booking details.
Park & Ride booking details →Official Park & Ride information →
Accommodation demand in Belfast is extremely high for Fleadh week, so book as early as you can. A dedicated event campsite is available at Ormeau Park for visitors who want to camp.
The what's-on programme lists sessions by day, and the live map shows which venues have music going right now — venues and visitors post real-time updates, so you can see where the session has started before you walk over.
Yes — the daytime programme is packed with family events, workshops and outdoor performances. Each venue page shows its age policy, including which pubs welcome families during the day and switch to over-18s in the evening.
Not at all, but a cúpla focal (a few words) goes down well. Our free Irish phrasebook covers greetings, ordering at the bar, session etiquette and getting around — with rough pronunciation for every phrase.
No — the Belfast Fleadh Guide is an independent live city guide built by Lavery's, Belfast's oldest family-owned bar. It is not affiliated with Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann; for official festival information visit fleadhcheoil.ie.
For official festival information, competitions and programmes, visit the Fleadh's own channels. For anything about this guide, email contact@belfastfleadh.com or read about the guide.
