Christmas Lights Switch-on
Ticket-holders gather outside Belfast City Hall along Donegall Place and Donegall Square North for an outdoor standing celebration to officially launch the festive season. The Lord Mayor of Belfast joins Cool FM presenters on stage alongside special guests to illuminate the city's Christmas lights. The stage production features live entertainment enhanced by sound, smoke effects, lasers, and strobe lighting.
Sat, Nov 14, 2026
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Plan Your Visit
Tickets
Free; it is ticketed, and every attendee, including young children in push chairs, needs a valid ticket.
Hours
Gates open at 6pm; accessible viewing platform access opens at 5.45pm; the event and stage programme start at 6.30pm and finish at approximately 7.30pm.
Food & Drink
There are no food or drink stalls at the event.
Parking
There is no designated parking for the event and no dedicated disabled car parking. City centre car parks are open, and public car parks are close to the event site.
Accessibility
Features a ticketed wheelchair-accessible viewing platform, a nearby mobile accessible toilet, a British Sign Language (BSL) signer on stage, and live subtitles.
Pets
No dogs are allowed except assistance dogs.
Location
Tips & Advice
- Open or download your ticket before travelling and have the QR code ready, as email confirmation is not accepted at the entrance.
- Check your assigned gate and use it to enter; the green, red and blue ticket categories have separate access points.
- Dress for outdoor standing in any weather, and be prepared for umbrella restrictions.
- Use a nearby city-centre car park, as there is no designated event parking or dedicated disabled parking.
- If using the wheelchair-accessible viewing platform, book its specific ticket and enter through the blue gate on Chichester Street.
Special Events & Promotions
- The event is free to attend, but every attendee, including young children in push chairs, needs a ticket.
- Wheelchair-accessible viewing-platform tickets are available, limited to two per booking.
- The Christmas Market opens on the same day.
Links & Contact
Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide, not the organizer of this event. For tickets, entries, vendor spots or questions, contact the organizer directly through their website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do children need their own tickets?
Yes. Every attendee needs a valid ticket, including young children in pushchairs. Children under 16 must be accompanied by a responsible person aged 25 or over.
What should I have ready to enter?
Have your ticket open on your phone or printed, with its QR code ready to scan. Email confirmation alone is not accepted, and tickets have assigned entrance gates.
Is food or drink available at the event?
There are no food or drink stalls at the switch-on, but the Christmas Market opens at City Hall on the same day. Alcohol is not allowed at the event.
What happens if I leave the event site?
Re-entry is not guaranteed and depends on the Event Controller and site capacity.
What should I know about access and the outdoor conditions?
The event is outdoors and standing. The site is accessible to wheelchair users, and a ticketed accessible viewing platform has limited space. Dress for the weather; umbrella use may be restricted.
Browse Christmas in Belfast
Always check the official website for the most current information.
We've done our best to keep details up-to-date, but event schedules, prices, and policies can change. For the latest updates, please visit the official website or contact the organizers directly. Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide and isn't affiliated with the events we list.