Huge Opportunities for Local Businesses at Fleadh Cheoil Belfast!

Get ready, North Belfast! The world's largest celebration of Irish music and culture, Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, is heading to Belfast this summer, from Sunday 2 to Sunday 9 August 2026. This is huge news for our city, with over 800,000 visitors expected, and it presents an incredible opportunity for local businesses and independent traders to shine.

Food lovers and culinary entrepreneurs, listen up! A dedicated Food Village will be set up in the beautiful grounds of St Anne's Cathedral. This is your chance to showcase Belfast’s vibrant food scene and high-quality local produce to a global audience, providing a place for visitors to refuel and relax between the fantastic competitions, sessions, and events. Recruitment for food and drink traders will be opening very soon, managed by an appointed operator. Keep an eye on the council website and social media, as well as industry partners, for all the details.

For those who love the hustle and bustle of a market, St George's Market will also be buzzing throughout the festival. It will be open from 10am to 5pm from Monday 3 to Wednesday 5 August, and then extended hours from 10am to 10pm from Thursday 6 to Sunday 9 August. Expect live traditional music, delicious food, craft stalls, and accessible seating. Plus, there will be additional trading space available on neighbouring Verner Street during the latter half of the festival (10am to 10pm, Thursday 6 to Sunday 9 August). Existing market traders will get first dibs on stalls, with an open call for any remaining spaces advertised on the council's website and social media in May.

Thinking of setting up a temporary stall in the city centre? There will be a limited number of street trading opportunities in the heart of the proposed pedestrianised area, specifically on High Street, Bridge Street, and Royal Avenue. These spots are ideal for businesses, vendors, and entrepreneurs selling arts and crafts, artisan products, high-quality souvenirs, and a limited amount of food and soft drinks. You can apply online at /fleadh from Monday 20 April until Friday 29 May. Full criteria and fees are already available on the council website.

Demand is expected to be high, so applications will be assessed based on the type of goods offered, giving consideration to existing street traders, businesses within the pedestrianised area, other Belfast-based entrepreneurs, and those able to trade for all eight days of the Fleadh. Pitches will be carefully allocated to ensure a diverse and exciting range of goods for visitors.

If you're looking to trade outside the proposed pedestrianised area, you can still apply for a temporary street trading licence through the council's normal process. For our fantastic hospitality venues, the council's licensing officers are actively helping businesses make the most of the Fleadh by expanding into outdoor spaces using the existing pavement café licensing scheme. They've been visiting venues and answering queries, encouraging owners to plan for a safe and accessible event.

If your hospitality business hasn't yet explored these options, it's highly encouraged to get in touch as soon as possible with your specific proposals, including any entertainment licensing queries. You can call the Licensing team on 028 9027 0650, email licensing@, or visit their website for advice. Hosting the Fleadh is a fantastic way to bring our city to life and truly showcase the best of our local independent businesses. These varied opportunities – from the dedicated Food Village and extended market hours to additional street trading – are all designed to champion local traders and artisan producers, ensuring a vibrant festival atmosphere. It's a landmark moment for Belfast's economy and reputation as a welcoming destination, so make sure your business is ready to be part of it!