After a vibrant opening to Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Belfast yesterday, the city is set for a second day of music and culture today, Monday 3 August. Organised by Belfast City Council, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann and Ards CCÉ, the world's largest celebration of traditional Irish music, song and dance is expected to draw more than 800,000 visitors across the week. Festival-related road closures remain in place in the city centre, with restrictions due to run until 7am on Monday 10 August.

Public transport is the preferred way to reach the pedestrianised festival zone in the heart of the city. While main routes across Belfast are open, motorists should plan ahead, allow extra time and avoid stopping around the perimeter to keep buses moving. Specific drop-off and pick-up areas are available for private hire taxis.

Roads around City Hall, Donegall Square North and South, Wellington Place and Chichester Street remain in use to support public transport. Attendees are urged to take care, use designated crossings and follow event stewards' directions.

Park and Ride services are operating at peak times every 10–15 minutes between the Eikon Exhibition Centre and Grand Central Station, and from Giant's Park and Belfast Harbour Estate into Laganside Bus Centre. Spaces can be booked in advance via the RingGo app or paid for on the day using contactless machines only, with allocation on a first-come, first-served basis.

Accessible parking for Blue Badge holders is available on a first-come, first-served basis at Dunbar Street (outside Common Market) and Winetavern Street/Smithfield. A free city-centre loop bus is also running for people with mobility needs and for those transporting large instruments, equipment or costumes.

At Belfast City Hall, the main Gig Rig springs to life from 12 noon, launched by Innova Irish Dance company. Performances through the day include the Aisling School of Irish Dance, Flute Church Band Portadown, Ronan McEvoy and Filidh. Headliners at 9pm are Auris – Luke Savage, blending funky basslines, saxophone and electric guitar with traditional jigs and reels.

The MAC hosts the Comhaltas Gradam Inclusion Awards at 2pm, celebrating traditional Irish musicians with additional needs. This free and uplifting event recognises talent, commitment and contribution across every level of the tradition.

Owing to exceptional demand, this evening's celebration of 50 years of Ards Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann will now take place at the Waterfront Hall at 8pm, featuring The Priests alongside leading traditional performers. Tickets are £15. Elsewhere today: Rock Choir perform at UNTOLD, 28 Bedford Street, at 11am (free); Echoes of Erin School of Irish Dance appear at Victoria Square from 12pm–4pm (free); The Neuroscience of the Harper's Brain talk takes place at the Black Box at 2pm and 7pm (£10); the exhibition launch Ar Shiúl Leis Na Sióga – 'Away with the Fairies' opens at 2pm on the Belfast Barge (free); and a Sets Céilí with the Duntally Céilí Band is at the Europa at 8pm (£13).

Family-friendly highlights include Scéal sa Spéir – Stories in the Sky, with inter-generational crafts and storytelling at the tent outside 2 Royal Avenue at 10am and 1pm (free); The Art of the Bodhrán with Ogham Art at Falls Library at 10.30am (free); a Children's Trad Trail with Glengormley School of Music at Native, Queen's Quay, from 12 noon–2pm (free); Lenadoon Community Festival family fun day at Lenadoon Millennium Park from 1pm–4pm (free); and daily children's seisiúns at the tent outside 2 Royal Avenue from 3pm–5pm (free).

Seachtain na Gaeilge (Irish Language Week) invites visitors to its Irish language hub at The MAC, with activities for both beginners and fluent speakers. The Instrument Makers' Village is open today (10am–5.30pm daily) at Belfast Met, Millfield Campus, through to Sunday, offering the chance to meet makers of harps, violins and banjos or even pick up a new instrument.

Across the city: Clifton Street Cemetery Tours run (free); Mary Anne's Poor House Tales self-guided tour is available at Clifton House (£5); live music from Cormac Ó Briain features at Caifé Ceoil, Áras Mhic Reachtain, Antrim Road, 11am–12.30pm (free); tours of Friar's Bush Graveyard depart at 11am, 2pm and 4pm (free); Lisburn Road Library hosts live music with Sarah Ann Rée and Paddy McKeown, 2pm–3pm (free, booking via Eventbrite); a guided walk explores the Flora, Fauna & Folklore of Colin Glen at Colin Glen Park, 2pm–4pm (free); The Art of Lament with Bróna McVittie is at Falls Road Library, 12 noon–1pm (free, booking via Eventbrite); and a Flute Appeal open session led by renowned flute player Marcas Ó Murchú runs at St Galls GAC, 7pm–11pm (free).

A drop-in Accessibility Hub operates daily from 11am–7pm at CastleCourt Shopping Centre, Unit 59 on the first floor, run by Open Arts with support from Volunteer Now.

Temporary portable toilets are provided in City Hall grounds, on Fountain Lane, Hill Street and Verner Street (beside St George's Market), with each site offering at least two accessible Portaloos. Parent and child changing facilities are available in City Hall grounds and on Hill Street, with a mobile Accessoloo changing place toilet located to the rear of 2 Royal Avenue on Bank Square.

Visitor servicing points can be found at Ulster University on York Street, the Visit Belfast Welcome Centre on Donegall Square North, ICC Belfast/Waterfront Hall and Grand Central Station. For programme updates across the week, follow Fleadh Cheoil on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.

For the latest public transport information, visit translink.co.uk/fleadh and use the Journey Planner app. If sharing on social media, use the hashtag #FleadhBelfast2026.