Belfast will host Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann for the first time from Sunday 2 August to Sunday 9 August 2026. The opening ceremony at City Hall begins at noon with a free programme of traditional music, dance and cultural showcases. Sharon Shannon and her Big Band headline the first evening at 8pm.

The Fleadh brings an expected 800,000 visitors across eight days. Most events are free, with some ticketed performances. Open-air céilís are scheduled at City Hall on Friday 7 and Saturday 8 August at 3pm. The Comhaltas programme includes the National Folk Orchestra of Ireland, the Ceol na Cruinne international showcase and a concert with the Kilfenora Céilí Band.

Seven pop-up session spaces will be available at locations including 2 Royal Avenue, Castle Place, Donegall Quay, CastleCourt, Corn Market, the Assembly Rooms and ICC Belfast. A Fleadh Fringe features intimate sets by Kate Nash, Ryan McMullan and Foy Vance at specialist city-centre venues. Other highlights include an Ulster Bands Showcase at the Titanic Slipways on Thursday 6 August and free daily music on the Gig Rig outside City Hall.

Family activities range from children's trad trails and storytelling to circus performances, Irish dancing displays, daily youth seisiúns and an arts-and-crafts space at Castle Place. A Food Village will operate at Belfast Cathedral, and the Irish Language Hub at the MAC offers films, circus skills and events delivered through Irish. Late-night bus and rail services will run on Sunday 2 August and from Thursday 6 to Sunday 9 August.

In the run-up to the Fleadh, Irish language traffic management and bus lane signs have been installed along the Falls Road by the Department for Infrastructure. Irish language billboards, bus stop advertisements and hoardings at Grand Central Station have appeared, a building site in Castle Street has been levelled for a TG4 live broadcast marquee, and The MAC arts centre has introduced bilingual signage.

Plans have been announced for Coláiste Feirste to occupy the former Corpus Christi school building at Beechmount in a £10m expansion of its estate.

Two other festivals share the same period. Féile an Phobail and Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann both conclude on Sunday 9 August, while TradFest opens the fortnight on Sunday 26 July. Separately, Féile na hAbhann (Festival of the River) runs until 9 August with free riverside celebrations along the Lagan Walkway between Ormeau Bridge and Albert Bridge. A Twilight Market on Friday 31 July and a Family Fun Day on Saturday 1 August include live music, craft stalls and food. From 6 to 9 August a dedicated festival stage on Verner Street beside St George's Market presents traditional music and cultural performances.

Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2026 closes on Sunday 9 August when the newly crowned Senior Céilí Band winners perform on the Gig Rig at City Hall after the competition final at the Waterfront Hall.