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 food stalls (including an amazing Hungarian chimney cake stall for those with a sweet tooth), local retailers and two beer tents. The market is running until Sunday 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? Screenings include Love Actually, Elf, It’s a Wonderful Life and The Grinch, and tickets include a special movie night box full of treats and snacks.

Last-minute gift shopping? If you are looking for one-of-a-kind, handmade gifts for your friends and family, don't miss The Reporter's Christmas Artist Market on Sunday 15 December. Elsewhere, get into the holiday spirit and enjoy live festive performances at Victoria Square! The shopping centre will be host to an array of dance and magical acts, as well as carol singers and brass bands. Check out the full schedule here.

For lovers of opera and string music, Christmas at the Cathedral promises to be a magical evening of live festive performances, including NI-based Arco String Quartet and mezzo Sarah Richmond.

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 Coca Cola arch 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!

A photo under the Joy's Entry arch is a must-do!

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.

If you haven’t already, take a trip to the SSE Arena to watch a Belfast Giants ice hockey game! Their festive home fixtures are on the following dates: Sun 15 December; Wed 18 December; Sun 22 December; Sat 28 December; and Mon 30 December. Get your tickets via Ticketmaster.

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

Christmas at Queen’s

Enjoy festive vibes on campus this Christmas with a variety of music and literary performances, including an informal concert by the Junior Academy of Music and a celebration of Seamus Heaney with a Christmas twist.

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, Carol, Home Alone and more. View the full programme and book tickets (only £5 for students) here.

Christmas is taking over the Queen’s SU’s usual line-up of events, including the Demand Less Xmas Special – gather your friends and classmates together for one final celebration before the end of semester! Or if you prefer day time activities, drop into the One Elmwood foyer on Saturday 14 for some gingerbread cookie decorating.

Planning on staying in Belfast over the winter break? International students are invited to The Cube in One Elmwood on 18 December for a Winter Warmer Festive Event, with free festive treats and seasonal goodies up for grabs. Register for the event here (limited spaces available!)

Christmas carolling in One Elmwood and the Graduate School (clips courtesy of blogger Sai Sree Kurra)

Queen’s Accommodation

Christmas celebrations are in full swing at Queen's Accommodation! On Friday 13, Elms BT1 will be hosting a Games Night at 7pm; and Elms BT9 will be showing a Christmas movie and providing popcorn at 7pm.

On Sunday 15, all accommodation sites will be hosting a tea and talk session with Residential Life Co-ordinators - or if you'd like another Christmas movie fix, visit Elms BT1 at 7pm! Follow @qub_accommodation on Instagram for weekly events updates.

Also, get inspired by how our students are decorating their accommodation for Christmas:

Courtesy of the residents of Willow Walk!

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 K-pop Society's 12 Quizzes of Christmas and the Pride Society's Christmas party. 

Student celebrations

Check out how our student bloggers are taking part in Christmas celebrations this year!

Politics and International Relations student Charlotte (left), getting cosy with the Grinch

Management student Sai Sree Kurra attending the SU's Christmas light switch on!

Human Resource Management student Malavika at the Belfast Christmas Market

French and International Relations student Jadzia at a Christmas market during her year abroad in Toulouse!

Colombian graduate Isa (left) is celebrating Christmas in Ireland for the first time!

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 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!