- 14 Nov–22 Dec 2026
- Over 100 stalls
- Free admission
- Bars to 11pm
- Over half local
Belfast's Christmas market fills the City Hall gardens every day from 14 November to 22 December 2026. Over 100 stalls of food, drink and gifts, and the council says admission is free.
Selling here
- Who chooses tradersMarket Place, the company that runs the market for the council
- HowFree trader account on marketplace.co.uk, then apply to its markets
- Have readyInsurance, right to work, PAT, Gas Safe, food hygiene, product photos
- CostChalet rent not published; ask Market Place
- Starting out?Jolly Big Business Boost competition has given a free chalet
Next dates
- Sat 14 Nov 2026 to Tue 22 Dec 2026Confirmed
Chalets around City Hall from mid-November
The market fills the gardens around Belfast City Hall on Donegall Square for about five weeks. Market Place, which designs and runs it for Belfast City Council, says it has over 100 stalls and two bars.
The council says local traders make up over half the stalls. The rest come from up to 30 nationalities, so German sausages and Dutch pancakes sit beside Northern Ireland food, crafts and handmade gifts. Market Place lists a vintage carousel, a helter-skelter and Santa's grotto.
Hours at City Hall, day by day
Friday and Saturday evenings and December weekends are the busiest, and the paths between stalls fill up. Monday to Wednesday mornings are calmer for buggies and wheelchairs.
- Opens Saturday 14 November 2026 at 12 noon
- Monday to Wednesday 10am to 8pm, bars to 9pm
- Thursday to Saturday 10am to 10pm, bars to 11pm
- Sunday 12 noon to 6pm
- Closes Tuesday 22 December 2026 at 6pm
Renting a chalet from Market Place
The council owns the event, but Market Place picks the traders. Make a free trader account on marketplace.co.uk and upload your papers.
Then apply for the Belfast market from your account. Chalet rent is not published, so ask Market Place. The market runs every day for over five weeks, so plan stock and staff for all of it.
Market Place's Jolly Big Business Boost competition has given a young local business a free chalet at this market. Look for it on Market Place's news page.
- Right to work in the UK
- Public liability insurance
- PAT and Gas Safe certificates, where they apply
- Fire risk assessment and food hygiene certificate, where they apply
- Photos of your products and your stand
Glider, Grand Central and city-centre car parks
Most Metro buses and both Glider lines, G1 and G2, stop around Donegall Square and Chichester Street, a short walk from the gates. Belfast Grand Central station is about 10 minutes away on foot, and Lanyon Place a little further.
The market has no car park. Victoria Square and CastleCourt car parks are close but fill on December weekends, so the Park and Ride at Dundonald (Glider G1) is worth a look.
City Hall has ramps at its entrances, accessible toilets and a Changing Places toilet in reception. The garden paths get very crowded at peak times.
Twenty years and more in the gardens
The council first held the market in 2004 as a 28-stall pilot run by Market Place. Market Place says it now draws over a million visitors a year.
In 2025 it won an Outstanding Market Achievement award from the National Association of British Market Authorities, after its 20th year.
Visiting
- WhereBelfast City Hall grounds, Donegall Square, Belfast BT1 5GS
- Bus and trainMetro buses and Glider G1/G2 stop around Donegall Square and Chichester Street; Belfast Grand Central is about a 10-minute walk.
- ParkingNo market parking; city-centre car parks such as Victoria Square and CastleCourt, or Park and Ride at Dundonald.
- EntryAdmission is free (Belfast City Council).
- AccessGarden paths that get crowded at peak times; City Hall has ramps, accessible toilets and a Changing Places toilet in reception.
Questions about Belfast Christmas Market
When does the Belfast Christmas Market open?
In 2026 it opens at 12 noon on Saturday 14 November and closes at 6pm on 22 December (confirmed by the council). It is open every day in between.
What are the Belfast Christmas Market opening hours?
Monday to Wednesday 10am to 8pm, Thursday to Saturday 10am to 10pm, and Sunday 12 noon to 6pm. The bars close at 9pm Monday to Wednesday and 11pm Thursday to Saturday.
Is the Belfast Christmas Market free?
Yes. Belfast City Council says admission to the market is free. You pay only for what you buy and for rides.
How do I get a stall at the Belfast Christmas Market?
Market Place, which runs the market for the council, chooses the traders. Create a free trader account on marketplace.co.uk, upload your insurance and other papers with product photos, then apply to the Belfast market from your account.
How many stalls are at the Belfast Christmas Market?
Market Place, which runs it, says over 100 stalls and two bars. The council says local traders make up over half of them; the rest come from up to 30 nationalities.
Is the Belfast Christmas Market moving beyond City Hall?
It has been reported, not confirmed. In August 2026 the Irish News reported that a private operator had applied to run a Christmas market at Custom House Square, with more city-centre sites hoped for in 2027. The Department for Communities said no licence had been issued.
Where do I park for the Belfast Christmas Market?
There is no market car park. Victoria Square and CastleCourt car parks are a short walk away, but they fill on December weekends. The Park and Ride at Dundonald, on the G1 Glider, avoids city-centre traffic.