Belfast City Hall will once again be the focus for the city’s Christmas lights switch-on, which will take place on Saturday 18 November.
The event is returning to its pre-Covid format for the first time since 2019, with the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Ryan Murphy, joining residents and local artists and performers to illuminate the city and begin the countdown to the festive season.
This year’s event will focus primarily on local music and arts performances, with a line-up that includes leading NI soul band Manukahunney, characters from the Lyric Theatre’s Christmas pantomime Hansel and Gretel, emerging electro pop queen FYA Fox, an upbeat routine from Belfast Boys, DU Dance NI’s youth dance group, and a singalong medley of popular Christmas songs from Fortwilliam Musical Society.
Pete Snodden, Rebecca McKinney and Paulo Ross from Cool FM’s breakfast show will also act as comperes on the evening.
- The Let’s Glow Belfast event on Saturday 18 November will start at 6.30pm, and last for around an hour. There will be road closures in effect in the city centre from earlier in the afternoon, so please allow extra time for your journey, with gates opening at 6pm.
- The annual Belfast Christmas Market will also open in the City Hall grounds on Saturday 18 November, starting at 12 noon. The market will continue until 6pm on Friday 22 December.
- The Winter’s Den at 2 Royal Avenue begins on Saturday 18 November and continues until Sunday 7 January with events for all the family. It includes Santa’s post office, operated by Belfast One, which runs from Saturday 18 November to Sunday 17 December, and is free to visit.
For full details of the Let’s Glow Belfast switch-on event, visit belfastcity.gov.uk/christmas