Belfast is set to host Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann from Sunday 2 to Sunday 9 August 2026, with more than 800,000 people expected to attend the world’s largest celebration of Irish music and culture.

The eight-day festival will feature over 200 events, including All-Ireland competitions in traditional music, concerts, street performances and céilís, across venues throughout the city.

To manage the large influx of visitors, three dedicated park-and-ride sites will operate on the main approaches to Belfast. Parking will cost £10 per day, with spaces bookable in advance through the RingGo app or website. Contactless payment machines will also be available on site. The sites are located at the Eikon Exhibition Centre near the M1, Giant’s Park close to the M2, and Belfast Harbour off the M3. Free Translink shuttle buses will run from all three locations, dropping passengers at Grand Central Station from Eikon and at Laganside Bus Station from Giant’s Park and the Harbour. Buses will run every 15 minutes, increasing to every 10 minutes at peak times, with first departures at 7.30am except on Sunday 2 August at Eikon, where services start at 10am. Return shuttles will run until 2am on the first and last weekends of the festival, and until midnight from Monday to Wednesday.

Additional late-night bus and train services will operate on Sunday 2 August and from Thursday 6 August to Sunday 9 August to complement the park-and-ride network and support the city’s night-time economy.

Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins said the extra services would help people travel safely and manage the increased demand on transport. Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Róis-Máire Donnelly, said the measures would boost local restaurants and music venues, and urged visitors to walk, cycle or use public transport where possible.

Road closures and traffic restrictions will be in place in parts of the city centre. Visitors are advised to plan journeys in advance and check the Fleadh Cheoil website for travel guidance and Belfast City Council’s site for traffic management details.