Event Dates
From: Saturday, November 16, 2024
To: Monday, December 23, 2024
Belfast is transformed into a city full of festive cheer and magical markets during the Christmas Season.
Belfast is transformed into a city full of festive cheer and magical markets during the Christmas Season.
- Enjoy a magical Christmas at The Fitzwilliam hotel, rated “Superb” by guests, close to all the markets featuring spacious rooms, great location and highly-rated breakfasts.
Belfast City Hall Markets
- Saturday 16th November – Sunday 22nd December, 2024 – Discover unique Christmas gifts, delicious treats and traditional local dishes at Belfast Christmas Markets.
- The event takes place on the grounds of Belfast City Hall at Donegall Square.
- Markets are open Mon to Wed: 10 am to 8 pm, Thur to Sat: 10 am to 10 pm and Sun: Noon to 6 pm.
- Over 1 million people visited the market last year, with 40,000 visitors on opening weekend.
- Belfast Christmas Market features over 100 exhibitors from 30 countries selling a range of handmade gift items, crafts and sweet treats.
- The outdoor food court offers dishes from over 32 nationalities while the bars serve beer, mulled wine and festive cocktails.
- Enjoy everything from French crêpes, Dutch pancakes, Belgian chocolates, an exotic selection of ostrich, wild boar and crocodile burgers, giant bratwurst from the iconic Schwenkgrill, Spanish paella and Italian sweets.
- Stay at The Merchant Hotel for an indulgent Christmas escape, seasonal afternoon teas and fabulous celebrations to ensure your Christmas is truly magical.
Hillsborough Christmas Market
- From December 6th, 2024 – Stroll through Hillsborough Christmas Markethttps://www.visitlisburncastlereagh.com along the historic setting of The Dark Walk and Hillsborough Fort.
- The market fills with Christmas sounds, sights and tastes with an eclectic mix of independent food producers and artists.
- The grounds of Hillsborough Fort provide a unique background to enjoy a hot drink and a bite to eat.
St George’s Market Christmas Craft Fair
- November 23rd 2024 – St George’s Market was built between 1890 and 1896. The market is famous for its fresh, local produce and great atmosphere.
- The market offers visitors local, continental and speciality foods, including meat and fish, cheese, coffee beans, tapas and organic products from around the world.
- A range of stalls features a selection of handmade crafts, jewellery and antiques.
- St George’s Market is opposite the Waterfront Hall. You can get to the market from Oxford Street, May Street and East Bridge Street.
A Gay Christmas in Belfast.
- Belfast gay bars battle for the best decorations during the festive season.
- Head to Maverick Bar and enjoy some hilarious Christmas drag shows and stunning Christmas lights and decorations.
- Kremlin club hosts its “Homo for the Holidays” with visits from Santa and his naughty elves.
- Enjoy Christmas cocktails at the delightful Muriel’s Cafe bar
Recommended Hotels in Belfast
Here are the hotels we recommend that have good reviews and keep you close to all the action
Hilton Belfast, The Fitzwilliam Hotel, Grand Central Hotel, The Merchant Hotel
Where to stay close to all the gay bars.
Our top 4 selections with the best rates.
The Merchant Hotel is our editors choice
when in Belfast in the heart of the city!
For further information and advice on
Belfast Christmas Markets Facebook
Belfast is a compact city, easily walkable and full of charm and character. Gay life is centred around the Cathedral Quarter, home to several gay bars and clubs.
16 Skipper St, Belfast BT1 2DZ, UK
All of the elegantly appointed rooms are decorated with original artwork. They each have black-out blinds, a flat-screen TV, and spacious en suite marble bathrooms.
The Merchant is a Grade I Listed building dating back to 1860. Its Great Room Restaurant has a huge domed ceiling and offers a fine à la carte menu and traditional afternoon teas.
9-15 Bedford St, Belfast BT2 7FF, UK
Grand Central Hotel is situated in Belfast and is the tallest building in the city
Guest rooms in the hotel are equipped with a flat-screen TV. All rooms have a private bathroom and a city view. The units at Hastings Grand Central Hotel include air conditioning and a desk.
A Full English/Irish breakfast can be enjoyed at the property. Guests can dine in the in-house restaurant, which serves a variety of local dishes.
Great Victoria St, Belfast, UK
On Great Victoria Street, beside the Grand Opera House, the luxury Fitzwilliam Hotel Belfast offers boutique bedrooms with free Wi-Fi. There is a chic restaurant and modern cocktail bar. Valet parking is available for an additional cost.
The sumptuous rooms have crisp Egyptian linens, and the elegant bathrooms feature fluffy robes and designer toiletries. All rooms have an LCD TV, air conditioning and a minibar.
4 Lanyon Pl, Belfast BT1 3LP, UK
This 4-star Hilton’s spacious rooms each feature a flat-screen TV with pay-per-view channels, mini-fridges, a marble bathroom and 24-hour room service. Many rooms enjoy city, river or mountain views.
With riverside views and floor-to-ceiling windows, Sonoma Bar and Grill offers a menu with Irish produce including Irish lamb. Guests can visit the No.4 bar, specialising in premium drinks including local draft beers and award-winning gins and spirits
108 Donegall St, Belfast BT1, UK
Big Gay nightclub with good Djs and dancefloor offering regular theamed nights and shows Open every Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday night from 10pm til late.
96 Donegall St, Belfast BT1 2GW, UK
Kremlin Nightclub, Belfast, Northern Ireland's biggest and most popular gay venue. Cocktail bar, disco bar and dancefloors in stylish Soviet-themed gay club with PAs and theme nights.
8-14 Union St, Belfast BT1 2JF, UK
Union Street Bar & Restaurant is Belfasts no.1 gay spot with top quality entertainment 7 nights a week.
8-14 Union Street, New Lodge, Belfast, BT1 2, United Kingdom
Gay Night club with regular events
1 Union St, Belfast BT1 2JF, UK
Take a walk on the wild side! A radical alternative gay bar at the heart of Belfast's Queer Quarter, The Maverick is open 7 days a week with free entertainment like Drag Shows
38-44 Upper Arthur Street BT1 4GH Belfast, UK
Cabaret is a luxurious supper club. Feel like a star and experience an evening reminiscent of the 1920’s Hollywood. Enjoy live jazz, burlesque, contortionists, magicians, comedians, bands, even famous local artists, while you enjoy a sumptuous meal served by your own Cabaret Butler and all of this in the convenience of a Belfast City Centre venue.
4 Queens Arcade, Belfast BT1 5FF, UK
Queen’s can safely boast a unique ‘personality’ not to be found elsewhere in Belfast offering cocktails and good food situated in Queen’s Arcade, right in the heart of Belfast’s shopping area
12-14 Church Ln, Belfast BT1 4QN, UK
The cutest little gin bar in Belfast and beyond trendy gathering place with funky decor offering global dishes, cocktails, gin & draught beer.
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We have chosen hotels in Belfast that keep you close to all the shops, restaurants & bars
A look inside the Belfast Continental Christmas Markets