Opening Event
Belfast City Hall - Gig Rig · Belfast City Hall, Belfast
Sunday 2 August · 3pm
Blackwater Céilí Band, Goitse, Sharon Shannon and Big Band
Fleadh 2026 Opening Event
City Hall, Belfast
Expect lively entertainment, stirring performances and contemporary collaborations as Belfast welcomes Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann to the city for the very first time.
With Belfast City Hall as its impressive backdrop, the main Gig Rig Stage will be at the heart of the opening day's celebrations. Cross-community and multicultural performances will set the tone for a week of multi-generational shared celebration across the city.
Join musicians, dancers and performers as they treat visitors from across Ireland and around the world to a special showcase of the very best in traditional music, song and dance.
Opening Day Programme
The opening event at Fleadh 2026 will feature a special collaborative performance from host branch Ards CCÉ, the South Asian Dance Academy, the Belfast Bands Forum, as well as an array of highland pipers and champion Irish dancers led by Riverdance lead Lauren Smyth.
The impressive outdoor stage will also welcome more than 100 children from primary and secondary schools across North Down and Belfast as part of a special Schools Choir Project.
A Historic Moment for Belfast
Whether you're a lifelong fan of traditional music or experiencing the Fleadh for the first time, join us for a landmark celebration as Belfast hosts Ireland's largest celebration of traditional culture.
A spectacular opening showcase of music, dance, community and culture in the heart of Belfast.
Current vibe at Belfast City Hall - Gig Rig
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