Belfast City Council has announced a free festive programme throughout the city centre in the lead up to Christmas.

As part of the initiative, local musical acts and bands will showcase their talents on the city's streets, providing free pop-up performances and gigs for shoppers and revellers at various outdoor locations on selected dates.

The programme, titled 'Under a Christmas Sky' and curated by Snow Water, features a diverse line-up. Performances will include brass bands, choirs, soloists, carol singers, harpists, NI Music Prize winners, and a dedicated Chordblossom festive showcase held at City Hall.

All performances are free of charge and follow a fixed schedule: every Thursday and Friday from 5.30 pm to 7.30 pm, and every Saturday and Sunday from 2 pm to 5 pm. Full details regarding venues and the complete line-up are available on the council's website at belfastcity.gov.uk/Christmas.

Key performance highlights include:

• The Belfast Musical Theatre choir at City Hall on Saturday, 13 December (2 pm).

• Trim the Velvet dancers at St George's Market on Sunday, 14 December (12 pm).

• Soprano Petra Wells performing at City Hall on Sunday, 14 December, and again on Saturday, 20 December.

• The 80-strong Hazelwood Integrated School choir at City Hall on Thursday, 18 December (5.30 pm), followed by harpist Lauren O'Neill at 6.30 pm.

• The Belfast Community Gospel Choir at Belfast Grand Central Station on Sunday, 21 December (3.30 pm). Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Tracy Kelly, commented on the events: "As a UNESCO City of Music, we have some amazing talent on our doorstep and we're pleased to provide a platform for their skills, while creating some seasonal cheer for visitors. The festive season is now in full swing and there's still plenty of time to come in and enjoy all that the city has to offer this Christmas – from our cosy Winter's Den with Santa's post office, gift wrap workshops and other free family activities, to our brilliant local markets and the ever-popular Belfast Christmas Market at City Hall."

Councillor Kelly also noted the council's support for local trade: "Council recognises the importance of the festive season to our local businesses and venues and has invested an additional £50,000 this year to boost our seasonal offering with plenty to see and do, including this line-up of free music performances."

Further free activities supported by the council include pop-up theatre performances, a fire and light show, walkabout Christmas characters, and salsa dancing at Belfast Grand Central Station and other locations.

To enhance the festive atmosphere, additional Christmas lighting has been installed in Ann Street, Arthur Street, Bank Square, and Bridge Street, while the city's three Business Improvement Districts have also received support to upgrade lighting in their respective areas.

Security measures have also been increased, with Safer Neighbourhood Officers adding extra patrol hours to support both retailers and shoppers during extended shopping times, ensuring they feel safe and welcome. Translink's late-night bus services—which are partly funded by the council—are anticipated to see peak usage over the upcoming weekends, facilitating safe journeys home for the public.

For shoppers and visitors seeking food and gifts, St George's Market is open as usual on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, with its last market of the season on Sunday, 21 December. Additionally, Smithfield Market will be open on Sundays throughout December from 1 pm to 6 pm, alongside its normal Monday to Saturday hours of 9.30 am to 5.30 pm.