Festivities in Belfast

At the heart of Belfast’s Christmas festivities is the annual Christmas market outside City Hall. The bustling market is complete with international and local food stalls (including a brand new stall selling Yorkshire pudding wraps!), local retailers and two beer tents. The market is running until Monday 22 December - don't miss out on indulging in some Christmas fayre.

Get your sugar fix at the Belfast Christmas Markets

Christmas isn’t complete without a festive film or two – why not visit The Treehouse for one of their rooftop movie nights? Previous screenings have included Love Actually, Elf, It’s a Wonderful Life and The Grinch, and tickets normally include a special movie night box full of treats and snacks.

For lovers of string music, Candlelight Christmas in St Anne's Cathedral promises to be a magical evening of live festive performances by Arco String Quartet.

Winter vibes at Victoria Square

Top of the Belfast Christmas bucket list is a dander down Joy’s Entry, which is well-known for its vibrant seasonal outdoor displays. Make sure to get a photo under the new Polar Express themed display and then grab a festive tipple in Henry’s/The Jailhouse!

Speaking of tipples, Visit Belfast has put together a fun 12 Pubs of Christmas Guide to check out with your friends – don your Christmas jumpers and pop into each bar throughout the city, making sure to follow the rules along the way!

Once you have had your fill of fun in the city centre, head over to the Titanic Quarter for further festivities! Check out Titanic Belfast’s fayre, full of seasonal gifts from local artisan retailers; and make a pit stop at Hickson’s Point for a hot drink. Titanic Belfast is also hosting Cappella Caeciliana for a special  musical performance on 21 December, complete with a festive drinks reception - find out more here.

If you haven’t already, take a trip to the SSE Arena to watch a Belfast Giants ice hockey game! Their December home fixtures are on the following dates: Friday 12, Saturday 13, Sunday 21, Friday 26 and Tuesday30. Get your tickets via Ticketmaster and make sure to wrap up warm!

Wrap up and enjoy some festive fries at a Belfast Giants ice hockey game!

Christmas at Queen’s

For fans of Christmas film classics, the Queen’s Film Theatre’s Christmas schedule is jam-packed with seasonal favourites, including screenings of Die Hard, The Holiday, Home Alone and more. View the full programme and book tickets (only £6.50 for students) here.

The annual Big Band Christmas Concert is back on 10 December in the Harty Room within the Queen's Music Building - stop by for some local Christmas jazz!

For arts and crafts fans, visit the One Elmwood Foyer on 12 December for DIY Christmas decorating between 2 and 4pm.

Elsewhere, the Seamus Heaney Centre is hosting its Christmas debate on 17 December under the theme 'This House Believes that the Writer Lives by Pen Alone' - book tickets here.

Watch festive classics in the QFT

Queen’s Accommodation

Christmas celebrations are in full swing at Queen's Accommodation! Upcoming events include:

• Christmas crochet on 7 December (Elms BT9)
• Hot chocolate and mince pies on 7 December (Elms BT1)
• Christmas cinema club on 10 December (Cinema Room Treehouse)
• Hot cocoa and cookies on 14 December (Elms BT1)
• Festive breakfast on 22 December (Willow Walk)

Follow @qub_accommodation on Instagram for weekly events updates.

Clubs and Societies

If you missed out on joining Queen’s clubs and societies this semester, don’t worry – why not join this month and take part in one of their festive events? Upcoming events include the English Society's 12 Pubs of Christmas and the Musical Theatre Society's Winter Mini Musicals event.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Find out more

• 10 Ways to get in the Christmas spirit in Belfast
• Discover festive magic at Belfast’s Christmas Market
• How to Spend a Christmas Day/Night Out in Belfast
• Christmas at QUB as an International Student

Hannah Reilly Staff Writer | Queen's Global Hi, I’m Hannah, a two-time graduate of Queen’s University Belfast and now a current staff member of Queen’s Global! As well as helping with general content management for the main Queen’s website, I also collaborate with current students to create relatable and useful content for the student blog.  I studied BA English and MA English Literary Studies at Queen’s and have since worked in various editorial positions in Belfast, including previous roles as Editorial Assistant and Assistant Commissioning Editor for local and international magazine publications. In my spare time, I enjoy reading novels (and attending various book clubs), studying Korean at the Queen’s Language Centre and attending Belfast Giants ice hockey games!