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.
The Christmas Chronicles
30 November – 02 December
Belfast Castle
Father Christmas has arrived at Belfast Castle! The Christmas Chronicles is a magical and joyous event for all the family. Meet with Father Christmas and receive a gift for every child, enjoy an interactive meet and greet with Mrs Claus and relish in YuleTide treats.
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.
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.
Little Miss Muffet's Christmas Adventure
09 December
Queen’s Hall, Newtownards
Little Miss Muffet’s Christmas Adventure, presented by Centre Stage Theatre Company, is a hilarious Christmas Tale, with catchy songs and simple effects! Few nursery rhymes can have more instantly recognisable lines than Little Miss Muffet and ” Along came a spider…’ Guaranteed to have hordes of children shrieking their delight at these heart-stopping words!
A Christmas Sing-along
03 December
The MAC
Come and enjoy an hour of songs, carols and music with the NI Opera Chorus! Start your Christmas season off by belting out some rousing well-loved tunes: whether you sing in the shower or are a fully-fledged singer, this will be a fun, festive hour to get you in the Christmas spirit.
Festive Choir at Montalto Estate
03 December
Montalto Estate
Join family and friends for a musical afternoon at Montalto this festive season. Upon arrival at The Carriage Rooms, you will be greeted with a glass of mulled wine (non-alcoholic option available) and delicious canapés in front of open log fires while enjoying seasonal live music.
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
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Car Parking in Belfast
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Translink
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