Belfast City Council

Belfast City Council is responsible for a range of powers and services from bins, recycling and parking to leisure, events and tourism. It also has responsibility for enhanced economic, physical and social regeneration.

Belfast is a strong and thriving city, with rising visitor numbers and a vibrant social and cultural life. The Belfast Agenda (the community plan for Belfast's growth and development) supported by the council’s ten-year cultural strategy (A City Imagining), sets out a vision for 2035 that imagines a culturally vibrant city. 

A key aim is to develop a Belfast portfolio of festivals and events and by working together we can make Belfast a unique events destination. City events have an important role within the wider cultural offer of Belfast. Events can tell stories, connect people and present new perspectives on our place. Events such as the Belfast City Marathon continue to impact positively on Belfast’s citizens and visitors. The event brings huge benefits to our vibrant city, boosting the economy and improving cultural, social and community cohesiveness. 

Belfast City Council has created a programme of events which has become firmly established within the fabric of the city including St Patrick's Day Celebrations, a Lord Mayor’s Day, a Maritime Festival and a Christmas programme of activity.

Over the years, Belfast has attracted a number of major international events including Tall Ships, the MTV European Music Awards, a programme of events to celebrate the Titanic Centenary and the London Olympics, the World Police and Fire Games, the Giro D'Italia, the Women's World Cup Rugby,  the UEFA Women's U19 Championships and UEFA Super Cup Final.

Since it began in 1982, Belfast City Council has been a proud supporter and funder of the Belfast City Marathon working alongside the marathon team and board of directors to deliver the city's most prestigious annual sporting event.

The next series of marathon events will take place in significant year for our city. From 2024-25, the council will be leading a large-scale cultural celebration called Belfast 2024. This will include an exciting and wide-ranging programme of creative local projects, events and city initiatives made by the people of Belfast for the people of Belfast. The council looks forward to welcoming Belfast City Marathon in this milestone year.  

For further information on Belfast City Council events, please visit www.belfastcity.gov.uk/events or contact events@belfastcity.gov.uk