Enjoy the festive season in Belfast with the whole family! With lots of family experiences to choose from like visiting Santa in his grotto, catching a Christmas Pantomime, or heading to see the circus. Here are our top picks for family friendly events happening around the city and beyond.
Walking With The Snowman™
18 November – 07 January
Hillsborough Castle & Gardens
Wrap up warm, bring your family and friends, and get ready for a heart-warming festive adventure. There are 12 giant The Snowman™ sculptures to discover, each beautifully hand painted by a different artist and inspired by the timeless Christmas classic ’12 Days of Christmas’. Can you find them all?
A Magical Christmas Experience
24 November – 23 December
Titanic Belfast
Watch the excitement unfold as Father Christmas and his Elves count down to their favourite night of the year! Journey through the Enchanted Forest, before joining Father Christmas and his Elves in their workshop at Titanic Belfast. Enjoy festive arts and crafts, hear Mrs Claus read a classic Christmas tale and have your name checked off the ‘Naughty or Nice’ list.
Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs
02 December – 14 January
Grand Opera House
Mirror, mirror, on the wall, don’t miss the fairest pantomime of them all! Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs will be spectacularly brought to life with an abundance of comedy, sensational song and dance numbers, fabulous costumes and stunning scenery.
Winter's Den
18 November – 31 December
2 Royal Avenue
Step into Winter’s Den for a season of fabulously festive, free events this Christmas, or simply pop in to soak up the cosy atmosphere. Chill out in the sensory igloo, write a letter with the elves at Santa’s Post Office or indulge in one of Yallaa Café’s hot chocolates!
Christmas at Ulster Folk Museum
02 – 23 December
Ulster Folk Museum
Wander the snowy, cobbled streets of the Ulster Folk Museum and experience a truly traditional Christmas. Meet their craft demonstrators as they prepare for seasonal celebrations and take in the festive scents of Christmas pudding warming on the griddle. Listen out for carol singers, traditional musicians, with added festive sounds from a harpist and brass band.
Indoor Snowball Fight
25 November – 31 December
W5
Ever wonder what it’s like to have a snowball fight indoors? Well, now you can! Visit W5 over the holidays and enjoy a snowball fight with your friends and family – no coats needed! It may look like real snow but don’t worry – there is no chance of getting frozen fingers. The warm, dry and soft snow is really cool – but not in a cold way!
Christmas on the Ration
02 – 16 December
Northern Ireland War Memorial
Learn how people celebrated Christmas under the restraints of rationing and make your own Christmas wrapping paper with scrap materials and potato prints. Listen to well-loved Christmas songs and taste some wartime Christmas treats. There’s something for all ages to enjoy with bonus drop in activities.
Winter Circus
15 December – 02 January
Writer’s Square, Belfast
Tumble Circus welcomes you to the 7th annual Winter Circus – a high skill, all-human and all-thrill circus featuring death defying aerialists, hardcore acrobats, eye-popping jugglers and hilarious comedy acts. This is Belfast’s non-traditional festive tradition and perfect for all the family.
Christmas at the Ulster American Folk Park
09 December – 01 January
Ulster American Folk Park
Experience the traditions of Christmas past as you wander the wintery streets of the Ulster American Folk Park. Discover how the festive season would have been celebrated in rural Ulster, from the humble surroundings of a single-room cabin to the indulgent Christmas of the Campbell House.
Best Places to See Santa in Belfast
Come and meet Father Christmas in his grotto this winter. Santa has been very busy planning all the different places he will visit in Belfast and would love to meet all the children who have been very good this year.
All Christmas Events in Belfast
Experience a Belfast Christmas like no other this year! With a rich line-up of events, you’ll be sure to get into the festive spirit!
Getting Here
Getting Here
Northern Ireland has three airports, sea crossings from England and Scotland, and a direct rail link from Dublin.
Car Parking in Belfast
Secure car parking is available across Belfast. See our guide to car parks in the city.
Translink
Leave the car at home, relax and travel with Translink, Northern Ireland's main provider of public passenger transport.
