We confirmed 18 Christmas events for kids in Belfast for 2026. The season starts on 14 November with Belfast Christmas Lights Switch-on and runs until 10 January (The Little Mermaid). 14 of them are free. Every listing links straight to the host. This page is part of our guide to Christmas events for kids in the UK.
The short version
- 18 kids’ Christmas events confirmed for 2026 in Belfast, Holywood, Lisburn, Newtownabbey, Carrickfergus and more
- First: Belfast Christmas Lights Switch-on, Belfast, 14 November
- Free events: Belfast Christmas Lights Switch-on, Merry Moments with Mrs Claus, Letters to Santa and Story-time, Christmas craft and festive stories, Christmas Storytime and Bauble Workshop!, Christmas Storytime and Craft Session and more
Below is every event we could confirm, grouped by area, with the date, time, price and the small things parents ask about (booking, ages, what is included).
Belfast Christmas events for kids at a glance
- Kids’ Christmas events
- 18 confirmed for 2026
- Areas
- Belfast, Holywood, Lisburn, Newtownabbey, Carrickfergus, Dundonald and Newtownards
- Season
- 14 November to 10 January
- Free events
- 14
- Last checked
Christmas events for kids in Belfast
9 confirmed events in Belfast, soonest first.
Belfast Christmas Lights Switch-on
Christmas lights switch-onFreeBelfast City Council · Belfast
- Host
- Belfast City Council (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Belfast City Hall, Donegall Square North, Belfast BT1 5GS
- When
- Sat 14 November, 6.30pm to 7.30pm (gates 6pm)
- Price
- Free, but everyone needs a ticket (including babies in pushchairs)
- Ages
- All ages; under 16s with an adult aged 25+
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
The Lord Mayor switches on Belfast's Christmas lights outside City Hall on Saturday 14 November, with a free hour-long show from 6.30pm hosted by Cool FM presenters. The line-up is very family-friendly: The Shamrocks with Avenue Arts Academy, a twist on Cinderella from the Belvoir Players, Tumble Circus, Goldilocks and the Three Bears from The MAC, the choir Quire, an Irish-language school choir and a Nutcracker extract from Doogan Dance Academy. The Christmas Market opens the same day.
Entry is free but strictly by ticket, released online through Visit Belfast on Tuesday 3 November at 10am and 7pm, with a limit of five per booking. Every person needs a ticket, including infants in pushchairs, and you must show the QR code on your phone at the gate. The event goes ahead in all weather and there are no toilets on site.
Parent tip: Grab tickets the moment they are released; under 16s must be with an adult aged 25 or over, and food, drink and bikes are not allowed.
See dates and details from Belfast City Council (opens in a new tab)A Magical Christmas Experience
Meet SantaTitanic Belfast · Belfast
- Host
- Titanic Belfast (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Titanic Belfast, 1 Olympic Way, Queen's Road, Belfast BT3 9EP
- When
- 27 November to 23 December, timed sessions of about an hour
- Price
- Children £29 midweek, £33 weekends; adults £15
- Ages
- Children with their families
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Titanic Belfast's Magical Christmas Experience begins at the North Pole check-in in the Grand Atrium, where an elf guide leads small groups through the Enchanted Forest, past the Magical Wishing Tree and into the Elves' Workshop. Children visit Mrs Claus in her cosy kitchen to hear Christmas tales, write and post their letters, peek into the toy shop and do some arts and crafts, before the Chief Elf checks the Naughty or Nice list and families meet Father Christmas.
The visit takes about an hour. Child tickets (£29 midweek, £33 weekends) include juice and shortbread, photo stops, a private visit with Father Christmas, a printed photo and a Christmas bear, and each child ticket also gets a free same-day child ticket to the Titanic Experience. Quiet sessions with softer lighting and less noise run on 6, 12 and 14 December and are booked by phone.
Parent tip: Book before 3 December with code FESTIVECHEER26 for 20% off; call 028 9076 6386 to book a quiet session.
See dates and details from Titanic Belfast (opens in a new tab)The Little Mermaid
Panto or Christmas showGrand Opera House Belfast · Belfast
- Host
- Grand Opera House Belfast (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Grand Opera House, 2-4 Great Victoria Street, Belfast BT2 7HR
- When
- 28 November to 10 January, matinees and evenings
- Price
- £17.50 to £43.50; family tickets £2 off per ticket
- Ages
- Recommended for ages 3+
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
The Grand Opera House pantomime is a Belfast Christmas tradition, and this season it is The Little Mermaid, running from 28 November to 10 January. Expect the usual mix of songs, slapstick and audience participation, in the theatre's grand Victorian auditorium on Great Victoria Street. The show lasts about two hours including an interval.
It is recommended for ages 3 and up, with a note that it is loud and one or two scenes are meant to be a little scary. Tickets cost from £17.50 to £43.50 including fees, and family tickets for four (with at least two children) save £2 per ticket. Accessible performances include a BSL-signed show on 16 December, captioned on 17 December, audio-described on 21 December and a relaxed performance on 5 January at 6pm.
Parent tip: The box office (028 9024 1919) is open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm; book the relaxed performance early if you need it.
See dates and details from Grand Opera House Belfast (opens in a new tab)Letters to Santa and Story-time
Christmas story timeFreeLibraries NI · Belfast
- Host
- Libraries NI (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Ballyhackamore Library, 1-3 Eastleigh Drive, Belfast BT4 3DX
- When
- Mon 7 December, 6pm to 7pm
- Price
- Free, booking essential
- Ages
- Ages 3 to 8
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Santa's post box is back at Ballyhackamore Library in east Belfast, and the staff are marking it with an evening of Christmas stories. After the stories, children sit down to write their very own letters to Santa, with special stationery, pens and, as the library puts it, a sprinkle of North Pole magic to send each letter straight to Lapland.
The session runs from 6pm to 7pm on Monday 7 December, so it works for families who cannot make daytime events. It is free and suitable for ages 3 to 8, and children must be accompanied by an adult. Booking is essential, by phone or email. Younger children who are not yet writing can still draw a picture or dictate their wishes to a grown-up.
Parent tip: Booking is essential: call 028 9050 9204; it is an evening session, handy after school or work.
See dates and details from Libraries NI (opens in a new tab)Christmas Storytime and Bauble Workshop!
Christmas story timeFreeLibraries NI · Belfast
- Host
- Libraries NI (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Ardoyne Library, 446-450 Crumlin Road, Belfast BT14 7GH
- When
- Thu 10 December, 3.30pm to 4.30pm
- Price
- Free
- Ages
- Ages 7+
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Ardoyne Library in north Belfast is offering a little extra Christmas magic for the family tree. The afternoon begins with a special Christmas storytime, and then friendly library staff show the children how to make their very own Christmas bauble, which they can take home, hang up and keep as a memento for years to come.
The session runs from 3.30pm to 4.30pm on Thursday 10 December and is free. It is suitable for children aged 7 and over, and under 8s must be accompanied by an adult. The listing says booking is not required, so you can simply call in at the start time. Earlier in the month, on 2 December, the library also hosts a Letters to Santa workshop where children fill in their wish lists and decorate their letters with glitter before they are sent off.
Parent tip: No booking needed, just arrive at 3.30pm; under 8s need an adult with them.
See dates and details from Libraries NI (opens in a new tab)Storytime with Mrs Mary Claus!
Story time with Mrs ClausFreeLibraries NI · Belfast
- Host
- Libraries NI (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Belfast Central Library, Royal Avenue, Belfast BT1 1EA
- When
- Sat 12 December, 11am to 12 noon
- Price
- Free, booking advisable
- Ages
- Everyone welcome
- Booking
- Booking recommended
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Mrs Mary Claus is visiting Belfast Central Library on Saturday 12 December, and she is bringing her favourite Christmas stories with her. The morning, presented by Play Make-Believe, mixes festive storytelling with singalongs and a very important check of the naughty and nice list.
Before she arrives, children can write their letters to the North Pole and pop them into her special postbox, and afterwards there is a chance to have a photo taken with Mrs Claus herself. The session runs from 11am to 12 noon and is free, and the library says everyone is welcome, so it suits a mixed-age family. Booking is advisable as this kind of event tends to fill up, and you can book by phoning or emailing the library. Belfast Central is right on Royal Avenue, so it is easy to combine with the Christmas Market at City Hall.
Parent tip: Booking is advisable: call 028 9050 9150 or email the library; bring a letter or write one there.
See dates and details from Libraries NI (opens in a new tab)Snowy Storytime and Craft
Christmas story timeFreeLibraries NI · Belfast
- Host
- Libraries NI (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Belfast Central Library, Royal Avenue, Belfast BT1 1EA
- When
- Thu 17 December, 3.30pm to 4pm
- Price
- Free, booking advisable
- Ages
- Ages 4 to 8
- Booking
- Booking recommended
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
If your child has been dreaming of a white Christmas, this after-school session at Belfast Central Library is a gentle way to end the week before the holidays. Library staff read cosy stories about wintertime adventures, and then the children craft their very own snowman friends to take home.
All the craft supplies are provided by the library and the session is free. It is aimed at children aged 4 to 8, and under 8s must be accompanied by an adult. The session is short, running from 3.30pm to 4pm on Thursday 17 December, which makes it manageable straight after school. Booking is advisable by phone or email. Earlier in the month the library also hosts a Christmas Rhythm and Rhyme for under 4s on Saturday 5 December, and a Victorian Christmas exhibition is on display through the season.
Parent tip: Book ahead by phone on 028 9050 9150; under 8s must stay with an adult.
See dates and details from Libraries NI (opens in a new tab)The Night Before Craft-mas
Christmas story timeFreeLibraries NI · Belfast
- Host
- Libraries NI (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Whiterock Library, Whiterock Road, Belfast BT12 7FW
- When
- Thu 17 December, 3.30pm to 6.30pm
- Price
- Free
- Ages
- Ages 6 and up
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Whiterock Library in west Belfast is spending an afternoon with the classic poem The Night Before Christmas. While the story is read aloud, children make their own Santa Claus going down the chimney, and there are biscuits to enjoy during storytime.
The session runs from 3.30pm to 6.30pm on Thursday 17 December, a long window that lets families call in after school when it suits them. It is free and suitable for ages 6 and up, and children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult. The listing does not ask for booking, though you can phone the library to check. Earlier in the month, on 3 December, Whiterock also holds Letters and Lights to the North Pole, when children help decorate the library, switch on its Christmas lights and write letters to Santa.
Parent tip: Children under 8 need an adult with them; phone 028 9050 9236 if you want to check timings.
See dates and details from Libraries NI (opens in a new tab)Festive Fun at Finaghy Library
Christmas story timeFreeLibraries NI · Belfast
- Host
- Libraries NI (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Finaghy Library, 477 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7EZ
- When
- Wed 23 December, 2.30pm to 3.30pm
- Price
- Free
- Ages
- Primary school age
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
With the schools off and excitement running high, Finaghy Library in south Belfast is opening its doors for an afternoon of festive fun on the day before Christmas Eve. The programme includes Christmas stories, crafts, colouring and a Santa-inspired scavenger hunt around the library.
It runs from 2.30pm to 3.30pm on Wednesday 23 December and is free. The session is suitable for all primary school aged children and no booking is required, so it is an easy drop-in when you need an hour out of the house in the final days before Christmas. Contact the library for any further information. Finaghy also hosts a Christmas Activities Morning on Monday 21 December with mindful colouring, puzzles, board games and Christmas treats, if you would like another visit during the holidays.
Parent tip: No booking needed; call 028 9050 9214 for more information.
See dates and details from Libraries NI (opens in a new tab)Christmas events for kids in Holywood
2 confirmed events in Holywood, soonest first.
Christmas craft and festive stories (Holywood)
Christmas story timeFreeLibraries NI · Holywood
- Host
- Libraries NI (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Holywood Library, 86-88 High Street, Holywood BT18 9AE
- When
- Tue 8 December, 3.30pm to 4.30pm
- Price
- Free, booking essential
- Ages
- Children (under 8s with an adult)
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Holywood Library is celebrating the festive season with a relaxed after-school session of stories, craft and fun. Library staff will share some Christmas stories first, and then everyone gets crafty making Christmas decorations to take home and hang on the tree.
The session runs from 3.30pm to 4.30pm on Tuesday 8 December. It is free, all materials are provided, and children under 8 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Booking is essential, by email or phone. The library is on Holywood's High Street. The Ulster Folk Museum, with its own Christmas programme, is just outside Holywood at Cultra. The emphasis is on a calm, creative hour rather than a busy party, which suits children who like making things. Christmas decorations made here can go straight onto the tree at home.
Parent tip: Booking is essential: email the library or call 028 9042 4232.
See dates and details from Libraries NI (opens in a new tab)Visit Santa at Ulster Folk Museum (Holywood)
Meet SantaUlster Folk Museum (National Museums NI) · Holywood
- Host
- Ulster Folk Museum (National Museums NI) (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Ulster Folk Museum, 153 Bangor Road, Cultra, Holywood BT18 0EU
- When
- Daytime on 12, 13 and 19 to 23 December; Christmas Evenings Fri 11 and 18 December, 5pm to 9pm
- Price
- Tickets required (includes the Christmas experience)
- Ages
- Gifts for ages 1 to 11
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
At the Ulster Folk Museum in Cultra, Santa settles in by the fire in the old Bank building for the last fortnight before Christmas. Each booking gets a private visit with your own group, and every child receives a traditional Christmas gift, chosen for ages 1 to 11.
The Santa ticket includes the museum's Christmas experience, so you can wander the cobbled streets before or after your slot, with festive music, seasonal food to taste and exhibit buildings decorated as they would have been years ago. There is festive storytelling, craft demonstrators and the chance to make Christmas decorations to take home, and the donkeys are there to say hello. Daytime visits run on 12, 13 and 19 to 23 December, and on Fridays 11 and 18 December Santa joins the museum's Christmas Evenings from 5pm to 9pm.
Parent tip: If you have more than three children, the museum suggests booking two slots; arrive on time, as late arrivals may have to wait until the end of the day.
See dates and details from Ulster Folk Museum (National Museums NI) (opens in a new tab)Christmas events for kids in Lisburn
2 confirmed events in Lisburn, soonest first.
Christmas Storytime and Craft Session (Lisburn)
Christmas story timeFreeLibraries NI · Lisburn
- Host
- Libraries NI (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Lisburn City Library, 23 Linenhall Street, Lisburn BT28 1FJ
- When
- Thu 10 December, 3.30pm to 4.30pm
- Price
- Free, booking essential
- Ages
- Ages 4 to 11 with an adult
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Lisburn City Library is running a special Christmas storytime and craft session for primary school children. The afternoon starts with Christmas stories read by library staff and moves on to festive crafts, with plenty of Christmas cheer to get everyone into the spirit of the season.
It takes place from 3.30pm to 4.30pm on Thursday 10 December and is free. The session is for children aged 4 to 11, who must be accompanied by an adult, and booking is essential by phone or email. Earlier that week, on 3 December, the library also hosts a drop-in Christmas tree decoration craft where children help decorate the tree in the children's library, and on Saturday 12 December the drama group Theatre Without Walls visits with an interactive Christmas story session.
Parent tip: Booking is essential: call 028 9266 9345 or email the library.
See dates and details from Libraries NI (opens in a new tab)Santa Needs Your Help! (Lisburn)
Story time with SantaFreeLibraries NI · Lisburn
- Host
- Libraries NI (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Lisburn City Library, 23 Linenhall Street, Lisburn BT28 1FJ
- When
- Sat 12 December, 2pm to 3pm
- Price
- Free, booking essential
- Ages
- Ages 4 to 11
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Santa cannot sleep without a really good bedtime story, and Mrs Christmas and the elves have already told him every one they know. That is the starting point for this interactive Christmas session at Lisburn City Library, led by the award-winning drama group Theatre Without Walls, who are returning to the library this year.
Children help save Christmas by working together to create a brand new story that will help Santa rest before Christmas Eve, so expect plenty of imagination, acting and joining in rather than sitting still. The session runs from 2pm to 3pm on Saturday 12 December, is free, and is aimed at children aged 4 to 11. Booking is essential by phone or email, as places for drama sessions like this are limited. It is a nice choice for children who enjoy performing or making up stories.
Parent tip: Booking is essential: call 028 9266 9345; children will be up and taking part, so comfortable clothes help.
See dates and details from Libraries NI (opens in a new tab)Christmas events for kids in Newtownabbey
2 confirmed events in Newtownabbey, soonest first.
Merry Moments with Mrs Claus (Newtownabbey)
Story time with Mrs ClausFreeLibraries NI · Newtownabbey
- Host
- Libraries NI (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Rathcoole Library, 2 Rathmore Road, Newtownabbey BT37 9DA
- When
- Tue 1 December, 3.30pm to 4.30pm
- Price
- Free, booking essential
- Ages
- Children and families
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Rathcoole Library opens December with a visit from Mrs Claus. Children get the chance to meet her, listen to a heart-warming Christmas tale and enjoy a gathering filled with seasonal stories and festive fun, a lovely way to start the countdown to Christmas.
The session runs from 3.30pm to 4.30pm on Tuesday 1 December and is free. It is described as suitable for children and families, and children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Booking is essential, so ask library staff for details or get in touch by phone or email before the day. Rathcoole is in Newtownabbey, on the northern edge of Belfast. The same Mrs Claus session also visits Crumlin Library on 11 December. Families are encouraged to bring their Christmas spirit and make some magical memories together.
Parent tip: Booking is essential: call 028 9085 1157 or email the library.
See dates and details from Libraries NI (opens in a new tab)Christmas Bedtime Stories (Newtownabbey)
Christmas story timeFreeLibraries NI · Newtownabbey
- Host
- Libraries NI (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Glengormley Library, 40 Carnmoney Road, Newtownabbey BT36 6HP
- When
- Thu 17 December, 6.30pm to 7.30pm
- Price
- Free, booking essential
- Ages
- Ages 2 to 8
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Glengormley Library is holding a festive activity evening a week before Christmas, built around getting ready for Santa with some magical Christmas tales. It is a relaxed, early-evening session that suits families with young children, including toddlers, who might struggle with longer or louder Christmas events.
The session runs from 6.30pm to 7.30pm on Thursday 17 December and is free. It is aimed at children aged 2 to 8, who must be accompanied by a parent or guardian, and booking is essential by phone or email. Glengormley is on the northern edge of Belfast in Newtownabbey. The library also hosts a Festive Favourites singalong for all ages on the morning of Friday 11 December, if you want a second visit.
Parent tip: Booking is essential: call 028 9083 3797 or email the library.
See dates and details from Libraries NI (opens in a new tab)Christmas events for kids in Carrickfergus
1 confirmed event in Carrickfergus, soonest first.
Christmas Pyjama Storytime (Carrickfergus)
Christmas story timeFreeLibraries NI · Carrickfergus
- Host
- Libraries NI (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Carrickfergus Library, 2 Joymount Court, Carrickfergus BT38 7DQ
- When
- Wed 16 December, 6.30pm to 7.30pm
- Price
- Free, booking essential
- Ages
- Ages 4 to 8
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Carrickfergus Library invites children to snuggle up in their cosiest Christmas pyjamas for a festive bedtime storytime. Expect enchanting Christmas tales, seasonal songs and plenty of cosy holiday fun, and children are encouraged to bring their favourite cuddly toy along too.
The session runs from 6.30pm to 7.30pm on Wednesday 16 December, timed so children can head straight home to bed afterwards. It is free and suitable for ages 4 to 8, children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult, and booking is essential. Carrickfergus Library has a busy Christmas programme all month: Santa's post box and Santa's Secret Library Hunt run during opening hours from 1 to 23 December, and there are Jolly Jingles music sessions for babies and toddlers on 17 and 18 December.
Parent tip: Booking is essential: call 028 9336 2261; bring a cuddly toy and come ready for bed.
See dates and details from Libraries NI (opens in a new tab)Christmas events for kids in Dundonald
1 confirmed event in Dundonald, soonest first.
Christmas Stories and Crafts (Dundonald)
Christmas story timeFreeLibraries NI · Dundonald
- Host
- Libraries NI (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Dundonald Library, 16 Church Road, Dundonald BT16 2LN
- When
- Tue 15 December, 2.30pm to 3.30pm
- Price
- Free
- Ages
- Ages 4 to 11
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Dundonald Library, on the eastern edge of Belfast, is hosting an afternoon of festive stories and Christmas crafts in the run-up to the holidays. After listening to some seasonal stories, children make their very own Christmas decoration to take home.
The session runs from 2.30pm to 3.30pm on Tuesday 15 December and is free. It is suitable for children aged 4 to 11, and no booking is required, so families can simply turn up. As it takes place on a weekday afternoon, it will suit younger children not yet at school, home-educated children, or families on an early finish. It is a simple, low-key session, and the decoration children make can go straight onto the family tree. If you want to check anything before you go, the library can be reached by phone or email, and the session is part of a wider Christmas programme across Libraries NI branches in December.
Parent tip: No booking required; call 028 9048 3994 if you want to check before you go.
See dates and details from Libraries NI (opens in a new tab)Christmas events for kids in Newtownards
1 confirmed event in Newtownards, soonest first.
Magical Christmas Experience 2026 (Newtownards)
Meet SantaThe Ark Open Farm · Newtownards
- Host
- The Ark Open Farm (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- The Ark Open Farm, 296 Bangor Road, Newtownards BT23 7PH
- When
- 22 November to 24 December, daytime and after-dark sessions
- Price
- Children £34, toddlers £23, adults £20, babies £5
- Ages
- All ages (child ticket 3+)
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
The Ark Open Farm's Magical Christmas Experience near Newtownards is much more than a quick grotto visit. Small groups are led by one of Santa's elves for around two hours, starting with a chance to meet and feed real reindeer before a festive tractor ride full of Christmas stories and songs. Each family then has a private visit with Santa, with time to chat and take photos.
In the Elf Village children decorate gingerbread, mix reindeer food and visit the elf sweet shop, and in Santa's Workshop each child builds and stuffs their own teddy bear to take home. There is hot chocolate and marshmallow toasting by the fire. Families can choose a daytime session with more of the farm's play areas, an after-dark session when the lights are brightest, or a quiet session for children with sensory needs.
Parent tip: Each booking is limited to ten tickets and a £1 booking fee applies; framed photos can be bought at the end.
See dates and details from The Ark Open Farm (opens in a new tab)More Christmas events for kids in the UK
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- Christmas events for kids in the UK
A story for the trip home
Our picture book follows Rally the corgi on his first train ride to see his grand-paw-rents, and every page is hand-painted in watercolour. It is a cosy five-minute read after a big day out.
A bedtime story after seeing SantaRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi’s first train ride, hand-painted in real watercolour. Ages 0 to 8.
Buy on Amazon.co.uk (opens in a new tab)Belfast Christmas events for kids: questions parents ask
What Christmas events for kids are in Belfast in 2026?
We confirmed 18 Christmas events for kids in Belfast for 2026, each on its host’s own page, including Belfast Christmas Lights Switch-on, Magical Christmas Experience 2026 (Newtownards), A Magical Christmas Experience, The Little Mermaid, Merry Moments with Mrs Claus (Newtownabbey), Letters to Santa and Story-time, Christmas craft and festive stories (Holywood), Christmas Storytime and Bauble Workshop!, Christmas Storytime and Craft Session (Lisburn), Visit Santa at Ulster Folk Museum (Holywood), Santa Needs Your Help! (Lisburn) and Storytime with Mrs Mary Claus!. Each one is listed above with times, cost and a link to the host.
Are there free Christmas events for kids in Belfast?
Yes. 14 of the 18 events here are free, including Belfast Christmas Lights Switch-on, Merry Moments with Mrs Claus (Newtownabbey), Letters to Santa and Story-time, Christmas craft and festive stories (Holywood), Christmas Storytime and Bauble Workshop!, Christmas Storytime and Craft Session (Lisburn), Santa Needs Your Help! (Lisburn), Storytime with Mrs Mary Claus!, Christmas Stories and Crafts (Dundonald), Christmas Pyjama Storytime (Carrickfergus), Christmas Bedtime Stories (Newtownabbey) and Snowy Storytime and Craft. Some free events still ask you to register, so check each listing.
Where can kids see Santa in Belfast this year?
Santa appears at Magical Christmas Experience 2026 (Newtownards), A Magical Christmas Experience, Merry Moments with Mrs Claus (Newtownabbey), Visit Santa at Ulster Folk Museum (Holywood), Santa Needs Your Help! (Lisburn) and Storytime with Mrs Mary Claus!. Times and booking rules are in each listing above.
Where are there Christmas story times for kids in Belfast?
Christmas story times on this page: Merry Moments with Mrs Claus (Newtownabbey), Letters to Santa and Story-time, Christmas craft and festive stories (Holywood), Christmas Storytime and Bauble Workshop!, Christmas Storytime and Craft Session (Lisburn), Santa Needs Your Help! (Lisburn), Storytime with Mrs Mary Claus!, Christmas Stories and Crafts (Dundonald), Christmas Pyjama Storytime (Carrickfergus), Christmas Bedtime Stories (Newtownabbey), Snowy Storytime and Craft and The Night Before Craft-mas. Library story times are usually free; ones with a meal or show are ticketed.
How do you confirm these events?
We list an event only after we find this season’s date on the host’s own website or an official city, library or tourism calendar. We last checked every listing on 2 November 2026. Hosts change details, so always confirm on the host’s page before you go.
Event names belong to their hosts. Rally Takes the Train is a family picture book and is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by any host listed here. Confirm dates, times and prices on each host’s own site before you go.
