Enjoy the best of Belfast at Christmas with Stena Line
A beautiful city with a rich history and a giant adventure to be found around every corner, there is no shortage of incredible festive experiences to enjoy in Belfast.
Article Source: Stena Line
Last Updated: 4 December 2024 11:35
And make the most of Stena Line’s fantastic festive value by enjoying a craic-filled day in Northern Ireland’s capital city has never been easier.
The Swedish-owned ferry company is inviting customers to step into Christmas and leave their cars, and cares, at home as they enjoy a hassle-free trip to Belfast.
Crossing the Irish Sea in just two hours and 15 minutes, passengers can relax, unwind and enjoy the unrivalled style and comfort of Stena Superfast.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year and, the second you set foot onboard, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into Christmas and to celebrate day-trippers are also entitled to 20% off all treatments in the Nordic Spa.
It really couldn’t be simpler, all that is left for you to do is to plan how to spend your day. To help, Stena Line has compiled a list of festive frolics you can enjoy in Belfast.
Visit the Christmas markets
Embrace the holiday spirit right in the heart of Belfast! Located within the grounds of Belfast City Hall, this spectacular food and craft market, with over 100 stalls, runs from November 16 to December 22.
Belfast’s Best Christmas Sandwich
One of the best parts of Twixmas is enjoying the ultimate leftover sandwich but why wait? Coffee shops and cafes across Belfast are offering up delicious festive sambos already. Make sure to head to the Lisburn Road and try OUTPUT Espresso’s turkey, ham, stuffing brie and cranberry on toasted sourdough served with a side of gravy mayo!
The Best Santa Experience
Santa has been busy carefully planning his route all year but throughout November and December he will be a regular at Victoria Square, so bring your little ones along for a face-to-face meeting with the man himself and check if they’ve made this year’s nice list.
Cosiest Belfast Pub for a Christmas Tipple
After a day of shopping and sightseeing why not find a cosy corner to enjoy a festive tipple? For a pub full of charm and character, look no further than White’s Tavern and Garden. The beautiful wooden beams, exposed brick walls and rustic-chic seating means it’s the perfect pub in which to enjoy a Guinness around the open fire.
Enjoy a festive afternoon tea
You’ve left the car at home so why not celebrate the season in style and enjoy a festive afternoon tea. Step back in time to a period of luxury, elegance and five-star service at Titanic Belfast’s festive afternoon tea. Set in the opulent surroundings of the Titanic Suite make sure you grab a selfie on the Grand Staircase.
Visit St George’s Market
Open from Friday to Sunday, the vibrant St George’s Market is home to 150 traders offering anything from antiques to bread, and seafood to sweet treats. On Saturday’s a band plays live jazz while you get a taste of the quintessential essence of Belfast.
Shop ‘til you drop in Belfast
Belfast is the perfect place to take the stress out of Christmas shopping. From large shopping centres like Castle Court and Victoria Square, the main shopping streets of Donegall Place and Royal Avenue to the independent boutiques found in Queen’s Arcade, you’ll find those perfect presents all within comfortable walking distance of each other in Belfast.
Enjoy the city’s Christmas lights
‘It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas’ and what better way to evoke the magic and mirth of Christmas than to gaze upon the city’s spectacular decorations. Belfast sparkles by day but it really twinkles by night. Enjoy the wonderful decorations at Belfast City Hall and step into a world of imagination at Joy’s Entry.
Start your day with a great value meal from the Taste Restaurant and bag yourself a bargain in the Onboard Shop where you’ll also receive a £5 off shopping voucher if you spend at least £30.
Or, simply relax and unwind in The Living Room or upgrade your trip and enjoy the luxury of the Stena Plus Lounge or the Hygge Recline Lounge.
Prices start from just £20 per adult and £10 per child for a return trip to Belfast and for an additional £4 passengers can pre-book a Metro Daylink Card.
The Metro Daylink Card provides unlimited travel on all Metro and Glider bus services throughout Belfast, including from Belfast Port into the city centre.
Stena Line’s day trips to Belfast take place daily until 18th December. For more information visit www.stenaline.co.uk
Sponsored Links
Latest Edinburgh News
Summerhall Arts announce CATALYST: Art as Activism, four new solo exhibitions for 2026
Summerhall Arts presents CATALYST: Art as Activism, a season of four solo exhibitions that position contemporary art as a sustained, embodied form of resistance.
READ MORE
A Burns Night under the stars: Dynamic Earth reimagines the traditional supper
This Burns Night, Dynamic Earth invites you to step into the stars for an evening where tradition meets the galaxy!
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Book Festival opens submissions for Global Ink 2026
Submissions for Global Ink 2026, Edinburgh International Book Festival's flagship international forum for Festival Directors, are now open.
READ MORE
Scottish Ensemble spotlights future string stars with Musical Encounters
Scottish Ensemble begins an exciting 2026 with the return of their Young Artist programme, helping to develop the next generation of Scotland's young string players.
READ MORE
Celebrate love with your PAWfect Valentine at Dobbies Garden Centres
Dobbies Garden Centres is inviting pet parents to celebrate Valentine's Day with their beloved furry friends in selected stores across the country!
READ MORE
Enlightenment an immersive experience set to transform McEwan Hall in Edinburgh
Swiss art collective PROJEKTIL will bring its vivid light and sound show to Edinburgh from 31st January, following acclaimed runs in Glasgow, Liverpool and Leeds!
READ MORE
Primary schools in Scotland given chance to win specifically curated Burns Supper from Aldi
Aldi Scotland is giving primary school pupils across Scotland the chance to enjoy a truly traditional Burns Supper, complete with all the trimmings, including a bagpiper.
READ MORE
Glasgow International Comedy Festival launches 2026 programme with over 100,000 tickets on sale
Glasgow International Comedy Festival has announced the full programme for 2026's event with 560 shows in 40 venues across the city from 11th - 29th March, and over 100,000 tickets now on sale!
READ MORE
Top Scottish chef to host floating Captains Table experience onboard luxury Edinburgh hotel
One of Scotland's leading chefs will be hosting a collaborative Captain's Table experience onboard Edinburgh's five-star luxury floating hotel, Fingal, on Wednesday 4th February.
READ MORE
National Centre for Music appoints Director of Partnerships
Scotland's National Centre for Music bolsters founding team with new Director of Partnerships.
READ MORE
Celebrate Burns Night 2026 at Flight Club
If you're looking for a fun way to celebrate Burns Night this year, head to Flight Club!
READ MORE
Everything you need to know about Celtic Connections 2026
The renowned festival which every year transforms Glasgow in January into a must-visit destination for music lovers is now just over a week away.
READ MORE
Zizzi launches their January Birthday Jackpot
Zizzi's January Birthday Jackpot guarantees a special gift for adults born in January, with some lucky birthday guests receiving the jackpot prize - £100 towards their bill!
READ MORE
Litter picking dog charity aims to remove 44 million pieces of rubbish in 2026
Dog owners making an environmental New Year Resolution are hoped to boost the ranks of the Paws On Plastic charity to over 30,000 in 2026!
READ MORE
Edinburgh Open Workshop kicks off the New Year with hands on courses to build new skills
New year, new skills. Edinburgh Open Workshop is kicking off January with a hands-on programme of creative courses designed to help people turn resolutions into reality!
READ MORE
Brand new craft event encourages mindfulness, creativity and relaxation
Dobbies Garden Centres is inviting customers along to an afternoon of creativity, connection, and cake this January, with a brand-new Crafternoon Tea Club.
READ MORE
Famous faces share their DofE Award memories in celebration of their 70th anniversary
Anyone with a connection to The Duke of Edinburgh's Award is being invited to celebrate the charity's 70th anniversary by sharing their fondest DofE memories.
READ MORE
Vow to volunteer! The New Year resolution that could change lives in 2026
The team at Volunteer Centre East Lothian (VCEL) believe that by vowing to volunteer in 2026, people can make a real difference to their local community!
READ MORE
Dry or Try January: Flight Club is your go to January social spot
Whether you're ditching the booze and going dry for a month or embracing Try January with the goal of experiencing new things, Flight Club, ticks all the boxes!
READ MORE
Glamorous Edwardians to be explored in major Edinburgh exhibition
A glamorous, never-before-exhibited portrait of Queen Mary and a miniature sleigh made of rock crystal will be among highlights on show in Scotland for the first time in this major exhibition.
READ MORE
Scotland goalkeeper kicks off Hogmanay celebrations in Edinburgh
Edinburgh's Hogmanay celebrations officially began last night as Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon kicked off the city's iconic Torchlight Procession.
READ MORE
Hibs women support Scottish charity with Nuby this Christmas
Two Hibernian Women players have helped bring festive cheer to local families this Christmas, donating Santa Surprise Boxes to a Scottish charity on behalf of baby brand Nuby.
READ MORE
Hauf and hauf revival as Edinburgh drinks partnership hits the pub
A modern twist on a traditional Scottish serve is being poured across Edinburgh this festive season, as two of the city's leading independent drinks producers announce a flavour-led collaboration.
READ MORE
Opening New Years Day: Turner in January triumphantly returns to the National Galleries of Scotland
Following the incredible success of last year's blockbuster exchange with the National Gallery of Ireland, Scotland's own much-loved Turners are back in Edinburgh for 2026!
READ MORE
Christmas has arrived in Glasgow, The IRN BRU Carnival returns for its 106th year
Europe's largest indoor fun fair, The IRN-BRU Carnival, has opened to the public at Glasgow's SEC with its greatest show to date!
READ MORE
Historic Edinburgh pub set for major investment in the New Year
A much-loved Belhaven pub in the heart of the Old Town is set to ring in the New Year in style with a brand-new look and elevated offering as it undergoes a significant programme of refurbishment.
READ MORE
Castle of Light offers special priced tickets for spectacular closing night
Experience the award-winning after-dark event at Edinburgh Castle one final time, with a special £10 ticket available for the final night (Sunday 4 January 2026).
READ MORE
Edinburgh Rugby scores new deal with city centre sports bar
Edinburgh Rugby has scored a new deal with one of the city’s most popular sports bars, which will see all the buzz from Hive Stadium pop-up in the Grassmarket.
READ MORE
A Goal So Good it is a Work of Art!
It’s a winner! A spectacular new photograph is now on show at National Galleries Scotland: Portrait to celebrate Scotland’s men reaching the FIFA World Cup 2026.
READ MORE
First Footin goes Global with Live Streaming announced from iconic venues
Edinburgh’s Hogmanay has announced the event will include live streaming for the first time, opening the New Year’s Day performances to audiences around the world.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links