Belfast City Council will host the Comhaltas Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann from 2 to 9 August 2026.

More than 700,000 visitors are expected. The event is projected to generate millions of pounds for the local economy.

Tourism Northern Ireland has launched a marketing campaign to encourage visitors to extend their stay and explore areas beyond Belfast. The campaign includes television advertising on RTÉ and TG4, a supplement in The Irish Independent, radio activity, PR, email marketing, and digital content.

The promotion is expected to deliver over 13 million advertising impacts, 12 million digital impressions, and a PR reach of 200,000. Tourism Northern Ireland will hold a webinar on 9 June to help businesses prepare.

Separately, the production North Star will make its US debut at the Irish Arts Center in New York from 3 to 21 June 2026. The show was created by Kwame Daniels as part of the Belfast 2024 programme.

North Star draws on the 1845 visit to Belfast by Frederick Douglass. It was first performed at the Telegraph Building during Black History Month 2024.

Belfast City Council and the British Council are supporting the New York run, which is co-produced with the Irish Arts Center and Solab in association with the Lyric Theatre Belfast.