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music · Sunday 2 August 2026 · Various 
Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann - Belfast 2026
At Belfast City Hall and various venues · Belfast, Co. Antrim
At Belfast City Hall and various venues · Belfast, Co. Antrim
Once every few years, one Irish city gets to hold the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann - the All-Ireland traditional music festival that draws more visitors than most European capitals see in a month. In 2026, that city is Belfast. Running from Sunday 2 to Sunday 9 August, this is the first time the Fleadh has been hosted in the north, and with over 800,000 visitors expected across eight days, it is set to be one of the biggest cultural events ever staged on the island. If you have any interest in traditional music, dance or song, this is the one.
The heart of the Fleadh is the Gig Rig - a large outdoor stage outside Belfast City Hall on Donegall Square, with free performances running from 11am to 11pm each day. Opening night on 2 August features Sharon Shannon and her Big Band alongside Goitse and the Blackwater Ceili Band, with a ‘Shared Traditions’ showcase bringing together Irish dance, South Asian dance and a 100-strong school choir.
Later in the week, the competition side takes over: the All-Ireland finals in instrument classes, singing, dancing and ensemble events run from Friday 7 to Sunday 9 August. These are genuine competitions, not staged performances, and watching a roomful of young fiddle players contest an All-Ireland title is something to see. Scoil Eigse, the week-long summer school, runs Sunday 2 to Friday 7 and is open to players of all levels. Throughout the city, informal sessions break out in pubs and public spaces - some of the best music happens with no stage at all.
Headline ticketed concerts take place at Waterfront Hall, Ulster Hall, the ICC and the MAC. The full programme is at fleadhcheoil.ie.
Belfast is two hours by car from Dublin on the M1 (160km). The Enterprise rail service runs up to 15 times daily between Connolly and Grand Central Station, taking around two hours ten minutes. Belfast City Hall is a short walk from Grand Central and all main Metro bus routes. City-centre car parks are available, though on busy days public transport is the practical choice.
Between sessions, the Cathedral Quarter, Titanic Belfast and St. George’s Market are all within easy walking distance of the City Hall. There is more to see in Belfast and across Co. Antrim.
Heading to Belfast City Hall and various venues in Belfast? Antrim has plenty more to see. Read the Belfast area guide, find what else is on, and explore the towns and villages nearby.