Select Image To Visit The Photo Gallery: Custom House Square And Nearby

Photographed By William Murphy - Select Image To View Photographs

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DECEMBER 2025

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Custom House Square is one of Belfast’s most significant and versatile public spaces. Situated at the junction where the historic city meets the River Lagan, it serves as a bridge between Belfast’s industrial past and its vibrant, modern identity as a UNESCO City of Music. Until 2025 I always stayed at a hotel located nearby but this year I decided to base myself at the Maldron which is close to the new Grand Central station but because of transport links, the Glider Service,I would suggest that the Custom House Square area is a good base if you visit the city. I recommend using the Glider as I have had issues with the bus service.

A Rich Maritime and Civic History

The square is dominated by the Custom House, a Grade B+ listed building completed in 1857. Designed by the renowned architect Sir Charles Lanyon, the building’s Italianate Palazzo style was intended to reflect Belfast’s status as a global industrial powerhouse. Its pediment features intricate stone carvings of Neptune, Mercury, and Britannia, symbolising the city's maritime strength and commercial reach.

Historically, the square’s most vital feature was the Custom House Steps. This area became Belfast’s version of "Speakers' Corner," where trade unionists and political firebrands like Jim Larkin addressed crowds of thousands. Today, this heritage is commemorated by "The Speaker" statue, a bronze tribute to the square's role in the movement for labour rights and civic discourse.

Current Status: A Cultural Hub

In the 21st century, Custom House Square has been reimagined as a premier outdoor event space. Known affectionately as CHSq, the square transforms every summer into a high-energy concert venue, hosting international artists ranging from Tom Jones to Stiff Little Fingers.

Beyond the festival season, it remains a focal point for:

Public Art: In addition to "The Speaker," the square is a stone’s throw from the iconic Big Fish sculpture and the Albert Memorial Clock.

Urban Renewal: The Custom House itself has recently undergone a £14 million refurbishment, converting it into high-end commercial office space while preserving its architectural integrity.

Social Life: Bordering the Cathedral Quarter, the square is a popular meeting point for locals and tourists alike, surrounded by some of the city's best restaurants and historic pubs like McHugh’s.

Transport and Connectivity: The Glider

Connectivity is central to the square’s success. It is a key halt on the Belfast Glider network, the city’s Bus Rapid Transit system.

Service G1: Connects East and West Belfast via the city centre, with the Custom House Square stop serving as a vital link for those travelling from the suburbs to the waterfront.

Service G2: Directly links the city centre to the Titanic Quarter. The Glider stop at Custom House Square allows visitors to move effortlessly from the historic mercantile district to modern attractions like Titanic Belfast and the SSE Arena.

Belfast’s Custom House Square has an extensive schedule for 2026, featuring two distinct major concert series: The Summer Series in June/July and the return of CHSq in August.

Here is the confirmed line-up for 2026:

The Summer Series (June & July 2026)

This is a brand-new run of open-air concerts launching in the heart of the Cathedral Quarter.

13 June: Lush! Classical 2026 (with the Ulster Orchestra) 19 June: Chris Stussy 20 June: 30+ Club Festival 21 June: The Beach Boys (60 Years of Pet Sounds) 24 June: Paul Weller 25 June: Ashley McBryde 02 July: Cian Ducrot 03 July: Ewan McVicar 04 July: The Kooks 05 July: Dylan Gossett CHSq 2026 (August & September 2026)

The annual staple returns with its signature mix of rock, indie, and electronic headline shows.

08 August: Lush! Classical (with Judge Jules & Seb Fontaine) 15 August: Foy Vance (with Joshua Burnside & Bonnie Bishop) 16 August: The Proclaimers (with Brògeal) 20 August: Faithless 22 August: Stiff Little Fingers (with The Undertones & Ruts DC) 25 August: Wunderhorse 26 August: IDLES (with Chalk) 31 August: CMAT (Sold Out) 01 September: CMAT (Extra Date)