What you need to know ahead of Fleadh Cheoil kicking off in Belfast this week

Need to know

More than 800,000 people are expected to visit the city during the festival

Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann comes to Belfast for the very first time from Sunday. Here is what you need to know before it kicks off:

1. Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann is the world’s biggest celebration of Irish traditional music, song, dance and culture. It translates from Irish as “a festival, or feast, of the music of Ireland”.
2. It is coming to Belfast for the very first time this week – running from Sunday, August 2 to Sunday, August 9 2026. With more than 800,000 visitors expected to descend on the city, it will be one of the biggest and most celebrated events ever to take place in Belfast.
3. The Fleadh is organised annually by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (CCÉ) and has been running since 1951. The Fleadh features All-Ireland music and dance competitions, live stage concerts, céilí dancing, street performances, pub sessions, storytelling, language events and a huge fringe festival programme.
4. The Gig Rig at Belfast City Hall will host a packed programme of free music and performances throughout the festival. Special performances and competitions will also take place at Ulster Hall, ICC Belfast and Waterfront Hall.
5. During the Fleadh, Belfast City Council will need to close many Belfast city centre streets and roads to ensure safe pedestrian movement and allow street performances and activities to take place. Some roads and streets in Belfast city centre will be closed to vehicle traffic from 6am on Sunday August 2 to 10am on Monday August 10 2026.
6. To help everyone to move with the rhythm of the Fleadh, visitors are encouraged to plan ahead, allow extra time for journeys and choose Park and Ride, public transport or active travel wherever possible.To create a safe and welcoming event zone for Fleadh 2026, Belfast city centre will be pedestrianised – find out more and see the map here.
7. The Fleadh is an inclusive and family-friendly festival. Children are warmly welcomed and there is a wide range of events, workshops and entertainment designed especially for younger visitors.
8. CCÉ has already announced that Belfast will host the Fleadh again in 2027, making it a back-to-back host city.
9. The full event programme will be published on fleadhcheoil.ie. Visitors are encouraged to check regularly as more announcements and event details are confirmed in the run-up to the festival.

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