Issue 189 - Belfast BT6 • BT7 • BT8
Belfast’s Brilliant Christmas Countdown The Northern Irish capital is once again preparing to transform into a stunning winter wonderland, with a spectacular programme of festive events planned for the countdown to Christmas 2025.. With Belfast already lit up for Christmas and Belfast Christmas Market, located in the grounds of City Hall, is already in full swing . This award-winning market runs until Monday, December 22, 2025. The market operates with extended hours: Monday to Wednesday (10 am – 8 pm), Thursday to Saturday (10 am – 10 pm), and Sunday (12 noon – 6 pm). The seasonal magic extends far beyond the City Hall grounds, with a range of dedicated family entertainment and cultural experiences. One notable venue is 2 Royal Avenue, which hosts the Winter’s Den until December 31. This free community and cultural hub offers a range of festive activities and is home to Councillor Ian McLaughlin, chair of Belfast City Council’s City Growth and Regeneration Committee, with participants of the SistersIN programme attending the Inspiring Entrepreneurs event at Belfast City Hall.
City Hall welcomes young female entrepreneurs of tomorrow
Over 300 young women taking part in the SistersIN programme have gathered at City Hall to celebrate female entrepreneurship at the Inspiring Entrepreneurs event, supported by Belfast City Council and Danske Bank. The SistersIN programme enables, empowers and develops female pupils aged 16 and 17 from schools across Northern Ireland to become leaders of tomorrow. It encourages students to achieve their full potential and increase
confidence by developing specialist skills essential in driving innovation, economic growth and social change. The event featured insight from successful female leaders, who spoke about their own accomplishments
and challenges, and provided advice to young women considering entrepreneurship as a potential career path. Attendees heard from keynote speaker Alice Thompson, co-founder of Social Bite, who shared
her remarkable journey of using business as a force for good, building international recognition, before switching to a different career.
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Santa’s Post Office (until December 21), allowing children to ensure their letters get a direct route to the North Pole. A core Christmas tradition is the Pantomime season, which sees major productions take to the stage across the city. The Waterfront Studio is hosting two key shows this year: the family-friendly Jack & the Beanstalk: The Giant Family Pantomime, running from late November, and the return of the popular late-night adult pantomime, Red Riding Hoodz. For a more traditional circus experience, the much-loved Winter Circus returns to Writers’ Square from Friday, December 12, offering spectacular performances and family fun right up to the New Year.