Overview
- The festival officially opened on Sunday with a ceremony at the Gig Rig outside Belfast City Hall that featured political leaders and performances capped by Sharon Shannon and her Big Band.
- A large area of the city centre is pedestrianised with road closures in force from 6am on the opening day and special park-and-ride services priced at £10 per car plus free shuttle buses to reduce car traffic.
- Major competition rounds and headline concerts will run across key venues including Ulster Hall, ICC Belfast, Waterfront Hall, the MAC and Ulster University with All‑Ireland finals scheduled between August 7 and 9.
- The Duncairn-managed Fringe is delivering more than 150 free or low-cost neighbourhood events in libraries, parks, care homes and community centres as part of a push to broaden access and leave a local legacy.
- National broadcasters RTÉ, TG4 and BBC Radio Ulster are providing live coverage, more than 1,300 volunteers are on duty, and organisers have already confirmed Belfast will host the Fleadh again in 2027.