Northern Ireland’s hospitality industry once again came together to celebrate its people as the Hospitality Ulster Carnival returned on Tuesday 20 January 2026 at the Limelight in Belfast. Once again, the night was a special celebration for industry workers, and a chance for business owners to reward and thank staff for their efforts throughout another busy Christmas period.
Recognised as Northern Ireland’s biggest hospitality industry party, Hospitality Ulster’s flagship celebration was another resounding success.
There was a vibrant festival atmosphere in the venue as the bumper crowd took in an unforgettable night of world-class live music, DJs, carnival dancers, performers and much more.
The Carnival was hosted by comedy legend Tim McGarry and featured an outstanding entertainment line-up, including: The Bjorn Identity, performing the iconic hits of ABBA; Taylor NI, performing hits by Taylor Swift and Sabrina Carpenter; Blame It All On My Roots: The Ultimate Garth Brooks Experience; Zach Bryan UK; String Ninjas; and Colin Graham.
With additional surprise performances throughout the night, and an appearance by the authentic FA Cup trophy for photo opportunities, the 2026 Hospitality Ulster Carnival stood out as one of the key highlights of the industry’s social calendar.
The event was sponsored by Diageo, Tennent’s NI, Dillon Bass and Tourism NI, with street food provided by Henderson Foodservice and Musgrave Marketplace. The FA Cup’s appearance was made possible thanks to HU partner TNT Sports and transport was provided by Value Cabs.
Joel Neill, Operations Director, Hospitality Ulster, said:
“Carnival is a great way for business owners to say thank you to the people who keep Northern Ireland’s hospitality industry moving day in, day out. After another demanding year and an incredibly busy Christmas period, the event gave businesses the chance to reward their teams with a night that was all about fun, celebration and appreciation.
“Hospitality Ulster Carnival has become a real highlight in the industry calendar, and the 2026 event was no different. I am incredibly grateful to our partners for their support, and to everyone who came along and provided the atmosphere.
“Events like Carnival also showcase what makes hospitality such a fantastic industry to work in. It is a vibrant, social and people-focused sector, offering real opportunities for long-term careers, progression and skills development. Hospitality is about energy, creativity and connection, and nights like this highlight the sense of community and enjoyment that make it such a rewarding industry to be part of.”