Fleadh Belfast Day 2: Music, Dance and Family Events Across the City
3 August 2026
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Fleadh Belfast Day 2: Music, Dance and Family Events Across the City
Day two of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann is under way in Belfast today, Monday 3 August 2026. Visitors can enjoy free performances, family activities, Irish dancing, traditional music sessions and cultural events across the city.
Public transport remains the recommended way to travel. Park and Ride services, accessible parking and a free mobility loop bus are available throughout the festival.
Fleadh Belfast Day 2 at a glance
Date Monday 3 August 2026
Main stage Belfast City Hall Gig Rig
Headline act Auris – Luke Savage at 9pm
Recommended travel Public transport or Park and Ride
Fleadh Belfast Day 2 is bringing another packed programme of traditional music, Irish dancing, family entertainment and cultural activities to the city.
The festival enjoyed a lively opening day on Sunday. Belfast is now preparing for another full day of performances on Monday 3 August.
More than 800,000 visitors are expected throughout the week. The event is described as the world’s largest celebration of traditional Irish music, song and dance.
Belfast City Council is hosting the festival alongside Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann and Ards CCÉ.
Public Transport Recommended for Fleadh Belfast Day 2
Visitors are being encouraged to use public transport when travelling into Belfast city centre.
A large section of the city centre has been pedestrianised. This creates a safer and more welcoming festival area for visitors and performers.
Main routes around the wider city remain open. However, motorists should check their journey before leaving and allow additional travel time.
Stopping is not permitted around the festival zone perimeter. These restrictions are designed to help buses move through the city.
Dedicated drop-off and collection areas are available for private hire taxis.
Roads around the following locations remain in use:
- Donegall Square North
- Donegall Square South
- Wellington Place
- Chichester Street
Pedestrians should use designated crossings and follow instructions from festival stewards.
Belfast Fleadh Park and Ride Services
Park and Ride shuttle buses are operating every 10 to 15 minutes during peak periods.
Services are running between:
- Eikon Exhibition Centre and Belfast Grand Central Station
- Giant’s Park and Laganside Bus Centre
- Belfast Harbour Estate and Laganside Bus Centre
Spaces can be booked through the RingGo app. Visitors can also pay on arrival using contactless payment machines.
All parking spaces are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Check current travel information through the Translink Fleadh travel service or the Translink Journey Planner.
Plan your journey to the Belfast Fleadh
Public transport and Park and Ride services are recommended due to city-centre pedestrian zones and temporary traffic restrictions.
Accessible Parking and Mobility Support
Dedicated accessible parking is available for Blue Badge holders at:
- Dunbar Street, outside Common Market
- Winetavern Street and Smithfield
These spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
A free city-centre loop bus is also running for people with mobility needs. The service can also be used by visitors carrying large instruments, costumes or equipment.
Belfast City Hall Gig Rig Programme
Belfast City Hall will again provide the backdrop for the festival’s main Gig Rig stage.
The programme begins at noon with an energetic performance from Innova Irish Dance Company.
Other scheduled performers include:
- Aisling School of Irish Dance
- Flute Church Band Portadown
- Ronan McEvoy
- Filidh
Auris – Luke Savage Headline Performance
Auris – Luke Savage will headline the Gig Rig at 9pm.
The group combines traditional jigs and reels with saxophone, electric guitar, funky basslines and contemporary grooves.
The outdoor performance is expected to provide a lively end to the second day of the festival.
Comhaltas Gradam Inclusion Awards at The MAC
The MAC will host the Comhaltas Gradam Inclusion Awards at 2pm.
The free event celebrates traditional Irish musicians with additional needs.
It recognises their talent, commitment and contribution to traditional music at every level.
Ards Comhaltas 50th Anniversary Concert
The Waterfront Hall will host a special celebration marking 50 years of Ards Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann.
The concert begins at 8pm and will feature The Priests alongside leading traditional musicians and performers.
The programme will showcase Irish music, song and dance.
Tickets cost £15.
Other Fleadh Events Taking Place Today
A wide selection of performances, workshops, talks and dancing events will take place across Belfast.
Music, Dance and Cultural Events
- Rock Choir performance at UNTOLD, 28 Bedford Street, at 11am. Free.
- Echoes of Erin School of Irish Dance at Victoria Square from noon until 4pm. Free.
- The Neuroscience of the Harper’s Brain at the Black Box at 2pm and 7pm. Tickets cost £10.
- Ar Shiúl Leis Na Sióga – Away with the Fairies exhibition launch at Belfast Barge at 2pm. Free.
- Sets Céilí with the Duntally Céilí Band at the Europa Hotel at 8pm. Tickets cost £13.
Free Family Activities at Fleadh Belfast
Families can enjoy several free workshops, performances and storytelling sessions throughout the day.
Activities include:
- Scéal sa Spéir – Stories in the Sky outside 2 Royal Avenue at 10am and 1pm.
- The Art of the Bodhrán with Ogham Art at Falls Library at 10.30am.
- Children’s Trad Trail at Native, Queen’s Quay, from noon until 2pm.
- Lenadoon Community Festival family fun day from 1pm until 4pm.
- Children’s daily seisiúns outside 2 Royal Avenue from 3pm until 5pm.
Some activities may have limited capacity. Visitors should check booking arrangements before travelling.
Free family activities
Families can enjoy storytelling, music workshops, traditional sessions and community entertainment across Belfast.
- Stories in the Sky at 2 Royal Avenue
- Bodhrán workshop at Falls Library
- Children’s Trad Trail at Queen’s Quay
- Lenadoon Community Festival family fun day
- Children’s daily traditional music sessions
Check individual event listings before travelling, as capacity and booking requirements may vary.
Irish Language Hub and Instrument Makers’ Village
Seachtain na Gaeilge is welcoming visitors to its Irish language hub at The MAC.
Activities are available for beginners and fluent Irish speakers.
The Instrument Makers’ Village also opens today at Belfast Metropolitan College’s Millfield Campus.
It will run from 10am until 5.30pm each day until Sunday.
Visitors can meet makers of traditional instruments, including:
- Harps
- Violins
- Banjos
Competitors and visitors can learn more about instrument-making or purchase a new instrument.
Heritage Tours, Walks and Local Performances
Several heritage tours, talks and performances are also taking place across Belfast.
These include:
- Clifton Street Cemetery tours. Free.
- Mary Anne’s Poor House Tales self-guided tour at Clifton House. Tickets cost £5.
- Live music from Cormac Ó Briain at Caifé Ceoil, Áras Mhic Reachtain, from 11am until 12.30pm. Free.
- Friar’s Bush Graveyard tours at 11am, 2pm and 4pm. Free.
- Live music with Sarah Ann Rée and Paddy McKeown at Lisburn Road Library from 2pm until 3pm. Free, with booking through Eventbrite.
- Flora, Fauna and Folklore walk at Colin Glen Park from 2pm until 4pm. Free.
- The Art of Lament with Bróna McVittie at Falls Road Library from noon until 1pm. Free, with booking through Eventbrite.
- Flute Appeal open session at St Gall’s GAC from 7pm until 11pm. Free.
Belfast Fleadh Accessibility Hub
A drop-in Accessibility Hub is open at CastleCourt Shopping Centre.
The hub is located in Unit 59 on the first floor and operates from 11am until 7pm daily.
Open Arts is managing the facility with support from Volunteer Now.
Visitors can call in for information and assistance during the festival.
Toilets and Changing Facilities
Temporary portable toilets are available at:
- Belfast City Hall grounds
- Fountain Lane
- Hill Street
- Verner Street, beside St George’s Market
Each location includes at least two accessible portable toilets.
Parent and child changing facilities are available at City Hall and Hill Street.
A mobile Accessoloo changing-place toilet is located behind 2 Royal Avenue at Bank Square.
Visitor Information Points
Festival information and visitor assistance are available at:
- Ulster University, York Street
- Visit Belfast Welcome Centre, Donegall Square North
- ICC Belfast and Waterfront Hall
- Belfast Grand Central Station
Visitors can follow Fleadh Cheoil on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok for programme announcements and event updates.
The official social media hashtag is #FleadhBelfast2026.
Plan Your Visit to Fleadh Belfast
Visitors should check event times, ticket availability and transport information before leaving home.
Use public transport where possible and allow extra time when travelling through Belfast city centre.
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