Fleadh competitions get underway in Belfast as 5,000 performers chase All-Ireland titles

The Fleadh Cheoil Belfast competitions begin today, Friday 7 August, with more than 5,000 competitors from 22 countries taking part.

Judging begins at 2.30pm across several Belfast venues and continues until Sunday.

Visitors are being encouraged to use public transport or dedicated Park & Ride services as crowds increase ahead of the Fleadh’s final weekend.

More than 5,000 competitors take part in Belfast

The Fleadh Cheoil Belfast competitions get underway today as thousands of musicians, dancers and singers compete for prestigious All-Ireland titles.

More than 5,000 competitors from 22 countries are expected to take part in music, dancing and sean nós singing competitions.

Judging begins at 2.30pm today, Friday 7 August, and continues through until Sunday 9 August.

Competitions will take place across:

• ICC Belfast and Belfast Waterfront Hall
• Assembly Buildings
• The MAC
• Ulster University

There are competitions for different age groups, alongside solo and group categories.

Full Fleadh information and event details are available through the official Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann website.

Travel advice for Fleadh competitors and visitors

Competitors, supporters and spectators are being urged to leave their cars at home where possible.

No stopping will be permitted around the main competition venues.

Dedicated Park & Ride facilities are operating at:

• Eikon Exhibition Centre, close to the M1
• Giant’s Park, close to the M2
• Belfast Harbour Estate, close to the M3

Shuttle buses will operate as frequently as every 10 minutes during peak periods.

Services will take visitors to Belfast Grand Central Station or Laganside Bus Centre, with the dedicated Fleadh Park & Ride costing £10 per day.

Spaces can be booked in advance through RingGo, while visitors can also pay on arrival using contactless payment machines, subject to availability.

Translink is also operating additional capacity and late-night services during the Fleadh.

You can check the latest arrangements on the Translink Fleadh travel information page.

Details of temporary service changes are available on the Translink Fleadh service adjustments page.

Blue Badge parking and accessible transport

Dedicated parking for Blue Badge holders is available on a first-come, first-served basis at:

• Dunbar Street, outside Common Market
• Winetavern Street/Smithfield

A free city-centre loop shuttle bus is also operating for people with accessibility requirements and those carrying large instruments, costumes or equipment.

Competition wristbands and Fleadh guide

Anyone who wants to watch the competitions can purchase day or weekend wristbands.

Prices are:

• Adults: £12 day wristband
• Adults: £30 weekend wristband
• Children: £6 day wristband
• Children: £12 weekend wristband

Wristbands are available from the main competition venues, including Belfast Waterfront Hall and Assembly Buildings.

Competitors can also find timetables, streaming information and details on requesting adjudication sheets in the official Clár.

The full Fleadh guide can be bought at Fleadh venues, transport hubs and the Visit Belfast Welcome Centre.

More information is available from Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann.

Fleadh Belfast enters its busiest weekend

It has already been a busy week across Belfast, but organisers expect crowds to grow further during the final weekend.

More than 800,000 people were expected to visit Belfast over the duration of the festival.

Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann is regarded as the world’s largest celebration of traditional Irish music, song and dance.

Belfast is hosting the event for the first time in 2026, with festivities running from Sunday 2 August until Sunday 9 August.

The festival is being hosted by Belfast City Council alongside Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann and Ards CCÉ.

The latest official Belfast updates can also be found on the Belfast City Council website.

What’s happening at Belfast City Hall today?

The free Gig Rig programme outside Belfast City Hall continues throughout Friday.

Loughbeg CCÉ gets the programme underway at 11am, followed by another packed programme including Bangor Ukes at 1pm and an open-air céilí at 3pm.

The evening programme includes Connections, an intercultural music experience from ArtsEkta under the musical direction of award-winning composer Neil Martin at 8pm.

This is followed by TRIP at 9.10pm and Lúnasa at 10.30pm.

No tickets are required for Gig Rig events and advance booking is not necessary.

Check the latest programme through the official Fleadh Cheoil website.

Other Fleadh events taking place today

A packed programme of events is taking place across Belfast on Friday.

Belfast city centre

Janet Harbinson: The Belfast Harp Orchestra Legacy
Linen Hall Library
12 noon
Tickets: £5

Foinneóg: 75 Bliain Ag Fás
Grand Opera House
5.30pm
Tickets: £5

The special one-hour live event offers a look at what it means to grow, learn and lead within traditional Irish music today.

All-Ireland Senior Champions from Ulster concert
Europa Hotel
7pm to 9pm
Free

Comhaltas National Folk Orchestra of Ireland
Ulster Hall
8pm
Tickets: £15

Open Singing Session with Mairead Walls
Europa Hotel
9pm until late
Free

Family events at the Fleadh today

Families also have several activities to choose from.

Whiterock Library Family Fun Day

Whiterock Library hosts a free family fun day from 10am until 4pm.

Activities include:

• Balloon animals
• Face painting
• Games
• Stories
• Crafts
• Amazon Jungle Show

Play Make-Believe

The tent at 2 Royal Avenue hosts free Play Make-Believe sessions at:

• 11am
• 1pm
• 2pm

Paidí agus Fionn

Cityside Retail Centre hosts an Irish-language adventure featuring music, storytelling, laughter and audience participation.

The event runs from noon until 1pm.

Tickets cost £6.

MOIRO at 2 Royal Avenue

Music of Irish Origin, or MOIRO, features Dark Tropics alongside Paul Rose and VERA.

The event runs from 7pm until 11pm at 2 Royal Avenue.

Tickets range from free to £10, while children under five can attend free.

For the latest event listings, visit Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann.

Fleadh events across Belfast

The programme also extends well beyond the city centre.

North Belfast

Lúnasa North Blöck Night Market
Crumlin Road Gaol
7pm
Tickets: £3

Templehouse Céilí Band
Belfast Castle
8pm
Tickets: £13

South Belfast

Cabaret Evening
Shaftesbury Bowling Club
7.30pm
Tickets: £5

East Belfast

Poetry Workshop with Stephen James Smith
Cregagh Library
2pm to 4pm
Free

West Belfast

Equal Notes Choir
Kennedy Centre
11am to 11.45am
Free

Advice for anyone heading into Belfast

With larger crowds expected over the weekend, people attending the Fleadh are advised to plan ahead.

Visitors should:

• Check the weather before travelling
• Dress appropriately for the conditions
• Leave extra time for their journey
• Use buses and trains where possible
• Consider walking, cycling or wheeling into the city centre
• Check event locations and opening times before travelling
• Use bins provided across the festival area
• Follow signs and instructions from event stewards
• Respect other visitors
• Look for Fleadh volunteers wearing yellow T-shirts and hats if assistance is required

Translink has warned that some Metro departure points and other services will be temporarily adjusted during the festival. Enhanced rail services and additional late-night services are also operating.

Check the latest information before travelling through Translink’s dedicated Fleadh travel page.

Find out what else is happening at Fleadh Cheoil Belfast

The Fleadh continues across Belfast until Sunday 9 August, with competitions, live performances, sessions, family entertainment and special events taking place throughout the city.

Visitors can check the latest programme, competition details and visitor information at fleadhcheoil.ie.

The official Belfast City Council update on today’s competitions is also available on the Belfast City Council website.

Planning to attend this weekend? Check your event times and transport arrangements before travelling, and allow extra time as Belfast city centre becomes increasingly busy.