Our Christmas in Belfast was filled with holiday magic! Here’s why you should experience it too.
When I was still single, I would always book for a holiday trip just so I could spend Christmas in a different place. Now that I have kids, and a holiday trip has become more expensive than ever, I need to spread the holiday spirit without spending a lot.
Good thing Belfast has become home to several holiday festivities that will bring out the kid in you. Our December calendar’s always fully booked!
So read on to check out the fun activities you can do if you’re planning to spend the holidays here in the city!
1. Belfast Christmas Market
– Media credit: @belfastchristmasmarketofficial
Website: https://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/
Address: Belfast BT1 5GS
2024 Schedule:
| 19 December 2024, Thursday | 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM |
| 20 December 2024, Friday | 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM |
| 21 December 2024, Saturday | 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM |
| 22 December 2024, Sunday | 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM |
For over 20 years, Belfast residents and visitors have been having a festive Dickensian-themed Christmas market experience. At Belfast Christmas Market, you’ll instantly be transformed to the Victorian era—while shopping for some holiday finds!
While strolling around, you’ll get to see Dickens’ world, allowing you to see the known characters from his stories. You can also spot some storytelling or even live performances that revolve around the life of Dickens.
For those who want to shop for the holidays, you can find more than 100 stalls filled with handcrafted items, artisan products, and other Christmas decors—with the Belfast City Hall as your backdrop.
When it comes to food, you can grab some international treats such as Italian chocolates and various cheeses from around the world.
You can also complete your tour around the market by sipping on some german mulled wine called Glühwein.
| Pro tip: Most of the shops here at the Belfast Christmas Market only accept cash transactions, so make sure that you’d bring enough. |
2. Enchanted Winter Garden
– Media credit: @enchanted.winter.garden
Website: https://enchantedwintergarden.com/
Address: Castle Gardens, Barbican Gate Entrance, 52 High St, Antrim BT41 4DT
Contact Details: +44 300 123 7788
2024 Schedule: November 29 – December 21
Admission:
| Adult | £10.50 |
| Child | £7.50 |
| Family (1 adult, 3 children or 2 adults, 3 children) | £32 |
For the kids and the kids-at-heart, you’ll love to experience Christmas at the Enchanted Winter Garden in Belfast. Here, you’ll see a place filled with sparkling lights and other festive decorations that will give you the Christmas spirit you’ve been craving for.
Of course, kids’ Christmas won’t be complete without meeting Santa. Let your kids whisper their Christmas list to Santa, along with the sprites at Pixieland.
Moreover, your children will definitely enjoy seeing fairies in the Wonderland Wood.
If you ever feel hungry, you can spot some festive booths that showcase some local food and drinks.
Meanwhile, for our friends with high sensitivities, the team that works behind the Enchanted Winter Garden normally hosts two inclusive nights of reduced lighting and sound levels.
There’s also a sensory and quiet room, great for people with additional needs.
| Pro tip: For a more exclusive tour, consider purchasing tokens before entering the Enchanting Winter Garden. This will allow you to enter various corners such as Santa’s Grotto, the Giant Wheel, and the Tea Cups. |
3. Santa’s Virtual Reality Sleigh Ride
– Media credit: @visitlisburncastlereagh
Website: https://www.lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk/w/santa-s-virtual-reality-sleigh-ride
Address: 16 Market Square, Lisburn
Contact Details: +44 300 123 7788
2024 Schedule:
| 19 December 2024, Thursday | 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM |
| 20 December 2024, Friday | 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM |
| 21 December 2024, Saturday | 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM |
| 22 December 2024, Sunday | 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM |
| 23 December 2024, Monday | 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM |
Admission: £5 per person
Belfast knows how to adapt in today’s digital world. And because most of the kids are now inclined to immersive virtual reality, they decided to add a full 4D experience through Santa’s Virtual Reality Sleigh Ride in this year’s Christmas lineup.
Yes, it’s a full 4D experience, allowing you to experience all the tilting motions, wind and damp effects, as well as the high-definition visuals that’ll make your activity truly immersive.
Once you’re inside the immersive experience, you’ll immediately be transported to Santa’s workshop. You’ll feel what it’s like to step inside Santa’s sleigh, gliding your way through snowy hills with your lovely reindeer.
From there, you’ll set on an exploration to Lapland and make your way around the world. You can even see how Santa would fly out into space using Santa’s new sleigh!
| Pro tip: The Santa’s Virtual Reality Sleigh Ride isn’t recommended for people with photosensitive epilepsy. It’s also worth noting that those who suffer with motion sickness should avoid this activity. |
4. Santa Sundays at Fratelli
– Media credit: @fratelli.belfast
Website: https://www.fratellibelfast.com/
Address: Unit 1, 60 Great Victoria Street, Belfast, BT2 7BB
Contact Details: 028 90 310862
2024 Schedule:
| 8 December 2024, Sunday | 2:00 PM onwards |
| 15 December 2024, Sunday | 2:00 PM onwards |
| 22 December 2024, Sunday | 2:00 PM onwards |
Rates: Adults: £40.95 for the 4-course menu; Kids: £23.95 3-course menu inclusive of Santa visit, face painting, and a gift
Santa Sundays at Fratelli is an ideal place for families to celebrate the festive Christmas spirit. As the name suggests, this annual event at Fratelli happens on December Sundays leading to Christmas.
Here, the adults can enjoy dining in a delicious 4-course lunch. And while you’re busy eating lunch, the kids will enjoy their own little world during their meet-and-greet with Santa.
These children will also feel that they’ve been nice all year as they receive a special gift from Santa.
Additionally, they can also enjoy some face painting sessions, allowing them to put color on their faces. Moreover, Santa will also watch over them as the kids enjoy building their own pizza, which will be served on their tables!
If your kids want more food, you can let them enjoy some pasta and turkey too!
| Pro tip: Don’t miss out on Fratelli’s hot chocolate or Italian coffee. Additionally, consider requesting for a pump of their seasonally syrup or topping too! |
5. Scott’s Jazz Club’s Have Yourself A Merry Little Jazzmas
– Media credit: @kristinemillsmusic
Website: https://visitbelfast.com/event/scotts-jazz-clubs-have-yourself-a-merry-little-jazzmas/
Address: 1 Sandown Road, Belfast, BT5 6GT
2024 Schedule:
| 20 December 2024, Friday | 9:00 PM – 12:00 AM |
| 21 December 2024, Saturday | 9:00 PM – 12:00 AM |
Admission: Starts at £16.96
For those of you who love listening to live Christmas music then you shouldn’t miss out on the annual Scott’s Jazz Club’s Christmas show. This 2024, the show titled Have Yourself A Merry Little Jazzmas is back for two nights!
This year, Scott Flanigan will be joined by the house trio of Rohan Armstrong and Andreq McCoubrey as they serenade you with some Christmas jazz.
You’ll also fall in love with the saxophone tunes from Dave Howell. Additionally, you can also sing along with Kyron Bourke and Kristine Mills as they sing your favorite Christmas carols.
| Pro tip: Consider securing a ticket as soon as they announce the final show dates as this annual Scott’s Jazz Club Christmas event solds out fast. |
6. Lisburn Light Festival at Castle Gardens
– Media credit: @visitlisburncastlereagh
Website: https://www.visitlisburncastlereagh.com/whats-on/lisburn-light-festival-2024-p790741
Address: Lisburn BT27 4X
Contact Details: 028 90 310862
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 4:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Admission: Free
If you want to catch some festive Christmas lights then you shouldn’t miss out on the Lisburn Light Festival at Castle Gardens. Entrance is free, so make sure you to bring the whole family for an afternoon until evening of holiday spirit!
What’s great about this place is that you can let your furry pals join the fun too! So no need to worry about leaving them at home while you go around the area.
You’ll love that there’s a Santa grotto where your kids can take lots of photos. There’s even a sign language interpreter every Thursday evening, which we think is thoughtful.
Since the garden has flat terrain, families with kids in strollers or even wheelchair users can conveniently roam around the place.
Meanwhile, you can also enjoy listening to some live Christmas music from Wednesday until Saturday.
| Pro tip: If you still need to cross off some from your holiday gift list, there’s a mini Christmas market in Castle Gardens, so make sure to allot some time here when you plan your visit. |
7. Christmas Gig Lock-ins at The Second Fiddle
– Media credit: @thedirtyonion
Website: https://visitbelfast.com/event/christmas-gig-lock-ins/
Address: Cotton Court, 30-42 Waring St, Belfast BT1 2ED
Contact Details: +44 28 9024 3712
2024 Schedule:
| 23-24 December 2024Monday – Tuesday | 8:30 PM – 3:00 AM |
| 26-27 December 2024Thursday – Friday | 8:00 PM – 3:00 AM |
| 27-28 December 2024Friday – Saturday | 8:30 PM – 3:00 AM |
| 28-29 December 2024Saturday – Sunday | 3:00 PM – 3:00 AM |
| 29-30 December 2024Sunday – Monday | 8:30 PM – 3:00 AM |
| 30-31 December 2024Monday – Tuesday | 8:30 PM – 3:00 AM |
| 31 December 2024 – 1 January 2025Tuesday – Wednesday | 7:00 PM – 3:00 AM |
Admission: Free
For those of you who want to hear some traditional live and folk music during Christmastime then you should watch the Christmas Gig Lock-ins at The Second Fiddle in Belfast.
It’s actually part of a Christmas tradition here in Belfast, so if you’re only visiting the area during the holidays, make sure to not miss out on this! It’s your chance to hear
Some of the traditional artists that you’ll see here are Martin Patrick, Mairead Forde, Tommy McNulty, Cormac Crummey, and Rare Auld Stuff, just to name a few. To see their full lineup, make sure to check it out here.
| Pro tip: Consider staying until the very end as the venue transforms into one whole stage, letting all the guests jam and be part of the performance. |
8. FestiveFayre at Titanic Belfast
– Media credit: @titanicbelfast
Website: https://www.titanicbelfast.com/visitor-information/offers-events/festive-fayre/
Address: 1 Olympic Wy, Belfast BT3 9EP
Contact Details: +44 28 9076 6386
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
2024 Schedule:
| 21 December 2024, Saturday | 11:00 AM – 3:00 AM |
| 22 December 2024, Sunday | 11:00 PM – 3:00 AM |
Admission: Free
For last-minute gift shoppers out there, you’ll definitely love shopping at the FestiveFayre at Titanic Belfast. Here, you can get a chance to see some local traders as they offer handcrafted items that are perfect for the holiday season.
Some of the exhibitors that you can find are Kissock Crafts, Scent Bunny, Beads Needs Bracelets, and Artwork by Lyne. If you want to check the full list, you may check it here.
You can grab some handcrafted bracelets and scented candles, which are the top favorite Christmas presents nowadays. You can even buy gifts for your furry pals here!
| Pro tip: Disabled visitors can conveniently shop here as all areas are highly accessible. |
9. Little Festive Forest at Colin Glen
– Media credit: @colinglenbelfast
Website: https://visitbelfast.com/event/little-festive-forest/
Address: Colin Glen, 163 Stewartstown Road
2024 Schedule:
| 19 December 2024, Thursday | 11:30 AM – 4:00 PM |
| 20 December 2024, Friday | 11:30 PM – 4:00 PM |
| 21 December 2024, Saturday | 11:30 PM – 4:00 PM |
| 22 December 2024, Sunday | 11:30 PM – 4:00 PM |
Admission: £25 per person
If you’re looking for a fun activity for your kids this holiday season, then you should plan to visit the Little Festive Forest at Colin Glen.
There are two passes that you can get if you plan to visit the area. If you have kids ages 3 to 9, you should choose the morning and early afternoon passes as there are games and activities that are more applicable to their age group.
Meanwhile, you can choose the evening passes for kids 9 years and above.
Here, you and your kids can be amazed at train rides, complete with Christmas tunes. You can also ride the Polar Coaster, letting you enjoy two rides on the country’s only alpine toboggan coaster.
If you’re craving for more adventure, you can also check the 250-meter zipline in the area. Just don’t forget to check the weight and height restrictions to know if your kids can be accommodated.
And of course, kids’ Christmas won’t be complete without meeting Santa. You’ll love that your kids can also enjoy doing some arts and crafts while Santa’s around!
| Pro tip: Kids under 2 years of age can enter the Little Festive Forest. Just note there’s no Santa gift included for those with free admission. |
10. Christmas at Ulster Folk Museum
– Media credit: @ulsterfolkmuseum
Website: https://www.ulsterfolkmuseum.org/whats-on/christmas
Address: 153 Bangor Road, Cultra, Holywood, County Down, BT18 0EU
Contact Details: +44 28 9042 8428
2024 Schedule:
| 19 December 2024, Thursday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| 20 December 2024, Friday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| 21 December 2024, Saturday | 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| 22 December 2024, Sunday | 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
Admission:
| Adult | £13.50 |
| Senior (Age 60+) | £10.50 |
| Student | £10.50 |
| Child (5-17 years) | £8.50 |
| Family (1 adult, 3 children) | £28.50 |
| Family (2 adults, 3 children) | £38 |
| Child (Under 5 years) | Free |
| Adult Green Ticket | £8.40 |
| Student Green Ticket | £6.80 |
| Child Green Ticket | £6.80 |
| Accessible child & adult | Free |
| Member (single, joint, family) | Free |
If you’re looking for a more traditional way to celebrate the holidays, then you should experience Christmas at Ulster Folk Museum. During the festive season, you’ll see the museum decorated with Christmas trees, garlands, and glittery decor.
You can also get a chance to meet some craft artists as they create some holiday-inspired art.
Moreover, as you go around the place, you’ll love smelling the scent of cinnamon embracing the entire museum.
For those of you who love hearing Christmas tunes, this place invites carol singers ready to serenade you throughout your stay. Additionally, there is also a harpist and a brass band, perfect to remind you of some Christmas traditions.
Meanwhile, you can also grab some holiday drinks at the McCusker’s pub such as hot toddy, mulled wine, and spiced cider.
| Pro tip: Let your kids write their Christmas letter addressed to Santa and drop it at the Ulster Folk Museum’s office, making their gift giving a little more exciting and memorable. |