We’ve been watching the city come alive this festive season. Whether you're a local easing into the rhythm or have just landed for a festive getaway, welcome. Here’s your first-week guide to the people, places, and mood of a Belfast December.

LET’S STEP INSIDE →

Psst… Before we dive into the best of Belfast this week, let’s get the inside scoop of the recent happenings in Belfast.

Guess Who Showed Up on Cliftonville Road?

Imagine walking down the street in North Belfast this week and seeing Mike Tyson! That’s exactly what happened when the one and only boxing legend made a completely unexpected visit. Complete chaos broke out as excited fans swarmed him outside a local house. But here’s the wildest part: He wasn't in town for a fight or a celebrity appearance. He was making a low-key, private trip to hang out with a close friend over their super unusual, shared hobby: roller pigeons!

Source: Belfast Telegraph

Funding for Homeless Festive Meals

The Communities Minister has announced a £150,000 "goodwill grant" to fund Christmas dinners and small gifts for people experiencing homelessness across Northern Ireland. The seasonal boost will be distributed via the charity Homeless Connect to frontline service providers, aiming to bring a moment of festive cheer and normality to adults and children in temporary accommodation or on the streets.

Source: The Brief NI

What makes Belfast tick? It's the creative drive of its local businesses. Here are three local businesses we're sharing this week for you to check out:

Recently relocated and relaunched in Ballyhackamore.

• Official Website: Dine at Luna

This venue is a major establishment, representing an investment and transformation of an old site into a multi-faceted hub.

• Official Website: The Watson Belfast (Home Page)

This is an architecturally designed kiosk and placemaking project operated by Native Coffee at a new permanent city location.

• Official Website/Journey: Our Journey - Native Coffee NI (Details on the move to Queen's Quay)

🍺 Want your business featured? [Get in touch →]

Your guide to what’s on across Belfast & Northern Ireland

🎄 Visitor's Forecast: What to Expect & Prepare For

For visitors arriving in the first week of December, Belfast is at its festive peak. Expect the city to be buzzing with activity, glittering with lights, and full of cozy spots.

❄️ Expect the Atmosphere

• The Festive Buzz: The entire city centre is adorned with Christmas lights, with the main concentration around Donegall Place and City Hall. Expect a lively, crowded atmosphere, especially around the market.

• Dining: Pubs and restaurants will be running festive menus and experiencing high traffic. Booking ahead for evening meals is strongly recommended, particularly for groups.

• Limited Daylight: Days are short, with daylight lasting roughly from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. This makes the evening period (when the lights are on) the prime time for city exploration.

Eden, a 20-year-old Belfast resident, was crowned the national Volunteer of the Year at the Sense Awards in late 2024. Through the charity Sense’s accessible virtual buddy programme, Eden works directly to combat social isolation. She is paired with young people who have complex disabilities, consistently running creative, engaging sessions like jewellery making, quizzes, and themed parties, all remotely from her home. Her efforts have been nationally recognized for boosting the confidence and providing essential social connection to her buddies.

Listen to her story here →

Nominate next week’s local hero — we love celebrating Belfast’s best people.

This is a culinary passport to the Philippines.
⭐ Must-try: Pork sisig and bagnet
💰 Average spend: £10 - 20 per person.
📍 Google rating: 4.9/5

What is the biggest hurdle to navigating Belfast during the busy festive period?

🔘 The traffic and finding a parking spot downtown.
🔘 Dealing with the long queues and crowds in the shops.
🔘 Coordinating plans and finding time for family and friends.

Vote here →

Got a story, photo, or random Belfast moment worth sharing?

📸 Send it in — you might be featured in next week’s “Your Belfast” section!
We’re locals, by locals. This newsletter is yours as much as ours.

Hiring locally? Want the world to know about your business? Get in touch!

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That’s it for this week’s neigbour!

If you enjoyed this edition, share it with a friend who loves Belfast as much as you do.

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Until next week — stay curious, stay kind, and keep exploring.

— The Belfast Insider Team

Ats us nai!