Belfast announced as host city for Comhaltas Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in 2026
14th March 2025
The world’s biggest celebration of traditional Irish music and culture is coming to Belfast. The city has been confirmed as the host of the 2026 Comhaltas Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann. The announcement was made at City Hall on Saturday 8th March, following a meeting of the Ardchomhairle of Comhaltas in Belfast. It follows a bid by Belfast City Council, along with partners Ards CCÉ to bring the event to Belfast. The festival has grown massively in recent years, with hundreds of thousands of people attending, and the Fleadh in Belfast will mark Comhaltas’s 75th year, with Ards CCÉ also celebrating their 50th year.
Over 400 events, including 230 championships were delivered in 2024 over eight days, attracting more than 650,000 and delivering an economic value of around €70 million (approx. £58 million) to last year’s host region. The Fleadh in Belfast will run from Sunday August 2 2026 until Sunday August 9 2026. Events range from large concerts and big name acts to street performances, pop-up gigs and community céilís, while competitions in music, song and dance range from local county and regional level to provincial and All-Ireland titles.
Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Micky Murray, said: “I am delighted that Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann will finally be coming to Belfast in 2026. Our council is committed to bringing major events to the city, because we know from past experience the huge social and economic benefits they can bring, not just to our city centre, but to local communities also. I have no doubt that the Fleadh in Belfast will be something unique. It will be a truly inclusive festival that will allow our citizens – and visitors from near and far – to celebrate together.”
The world’s biggest celebration of traditional Irish music and culture is coming to Belfast. The city has been confirmed as the host of the 2026 Comhaltas Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann. The announcement was made at City Hall on Saturday 8th March, following a meeting of the Ardchomhairle of Comhaltas in Belfast. It follows a bid by Belfast City Council, along with partners Ards CCÉ to bring the event to Belfast. The festival has grown massively in recent years, with hundreds of thousands of people attending, and the Fleadh in Belfast will mark Comhaltas’s 75th year, with Ards CCÉ also celebrating their 50th year.
Over 400 events, including 230 championships were delivered in 2024 over eight days, attracting more than 650,000 and delivering an economic value of around €70 million (approx. £58 million) to last year’s host region. The Fleadh in Belfast will run from Sunday August 2 2026 until Sunday August 9 2026. Events range from large concerts and big name acts to street performances, pop-up gigs and community céilís, while competitions in music, song and dance range from local county and regional level to provincial and All-Ireland titles.
Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Micky Murray, said: “I am delighted that Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann will finally be coming to Belfast in 2026. Our council is committed to bringing major events to the city, because we know from past experience the huge social and economic benefits they can bring, not just to our city centre, but to local communities also. I have no doubt that the Fleadh in Belfast will be something unique. It will be a truly inclusive festival that will allow our citizens – and visitors from near and far – to celebrate together.” The world’s biggest celebration of traditional Irish music and culture is coming to Belfast. The city has been confirmed as the host of the 2026 Comhaltas Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann. The announcement was made at City Hall on Saturday 8th March, following a meeting of the Ardchomhairle of Comhaltas in Belfast. It follows a bid by Belfast City Council, along with partners Ards CCÉ to bring the event to Belfast. The festival has grown massively in recent years, with hundreds of thousands of people attending, and the Fleadh in Belfast will mark Comhaltas’s 75th year, with Ards CCÉ also celebrating their 50th year.
Over 400 events, including 230 championships were delivered in 2024 over eight days, attracting more than 650,000 and delivering an economic value of around €70 million (approx. £58 million) to last year’s host region. The Fleadh in Belfast will run from Sunday August 2 2026 until Sunday August 9 2026. Events range from large concerts and big name acts to street performances, pop-up gigs and community céilís, while competitions in music, song and dance range from local county and regional level to provincial and All-Ireland titles.
Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Micky Murray, said: “I am delighted that Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann will finally be coming to Belfast in 2026. Our council is committed to bringing major events to the city, because we know from past experience the huge social and economic benefits they can bring, not just to our city centre, but to local communities also. I have no doubt that the Fleadh in Belfast will be something unique. It will be a truly inclusive festival that will allow our citizens – and visitors from near and far – to celebrate together.”
