The world’s biggest celebration of traditional Irish music and culture is coming to Belfast. The city has been confirmed as the host of the 2026 Comhaltas Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann.

The festival has grown massively in recent years, with hundreds of thousands of people attending, and the Fleadh in Belfast will mark Comhaltas’s 75th year, with Ards CCÉ also celebrating their 50th year. Over 500 events, including 230 championships were delivered in 2025 over eight days, attracting more than 800,000 and delivering an economic value of around €70 million (approx. £58.5 million) to this year’s host region, Wexford.

The Fleadh in Belfast will run from Sunday 2 August 2026 until Sunday 9 August 2026.

Events range from large concerts and big name acts to street performances, pop-up gigs and community céilís, while competitions in music, song and dance range from local county and regional level to provincial and All-Ireland titles.

Volunteers have and always will be at the heart of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann and the involvement of volunteers is absolutely crucial to the event’s success.

Volunteer Now are delighted to have been asked to manage the Volunteer Programme for this momentous event. We are excited to put out a call for over a thousand volunteers to join our team next August.  You can get in on the act in the meantime by signing up to our Expression of Interest HERE.  When more details become available you will be first to know!