switch on

The market's opening day coincided with the Belfast Christmas lights switch-on, with a number of roads in the city centre closed.

The Bavarian-style market opened its doors to the public at noon on Saturday, hours before the city's Christmas light switch-on event.

The switch-on is cancelled, the start of late-night shopping delayed for a week.

The stage was set in Market Square for the Christmas lights switch-on, an event that draws thousands for music, merriment and a night of festive shopping.

Belfast City Council has advised motorists to expect disruption, including parking restrictions and traffic diversions, in the city centre this Saturday and in the early hours of Sunday in relation to the Christmas lights switch-on event at City Hall.