Eleventh Night Beacons 2026: Find Your Local Community Celebration

The countdown to the Twelfth of July is officially underway, with final preparations for the Eleventh Night celebrations now in their final hours. Community groups right across Belfast have been working hard for months to organise fantastic events for families, friends, and neighbours, with music, street parties, marching bands, and family fun days all planned.

Supported by Belfast City Council, these official beacons are lit in commemoration of the historic pyres once set across the hills of Antrim and Down to guide King William's warships into Belfast Lough. They offer a safe, family-friendly way for local communities to come together and mark the annual occasion.

For over 15 years, the Belfast City Council Beacon Programme has supported constituted community and voluntary organisations by providing these beacons as an alternative to traditional bonfires. Allocation of the beacons is subject to rigorous site risk assessments and agreement by elected council members.

For the 2026 celebrations, the council initially approved the provision of 18 beacons across the city, including six in East Belfast, two in South Belfast, four in North Belfast, and three in West Belfast. Following the completion of safety and site risk assessments, 15 beacons have been successfully allocated and provided to local community groups, ensuring a safe and vibrant night of celebration across our local areas.