I live about 20 miles from the city of Belfast but it’s a place I visit almost every Saturday (it’s where all the best shops are). Twenty minutes on the motorway and we are in the city centre, it’s a place I love.
There is no doubt it sometimes gets a bad press (sometimes more than sometimes) but show me any society where there aren’t a few idiots (or ejits as we say here)! The media do have a lot to answer for as things are often blown out of all proportion.
Belfast in the weeks leading up to Christmas has been like any other city anywhere in the world, sparkling with lights with people busy shopping and making their Christmas preparations.
Today I thought I’d share some of the lovely festive images of our capital city!
I have to say thanks again to my Hb for the photos, I was too busy shopping to take photos! 
We have a very misty morning here this morning but the sun is now breaking through and I think we’re going to have a lovely bright albeit chilly day!
Hope all your Christmas preps are going well, it’s only a week to go now!!!
Thanks as always for dropping in, thanks too for all your lovely comments on ‘Cranberry’ in my last post!
Happy Tuesday everyone! 
December 18, 2012 at 12:02
How lovely to see such wonderful photos of Belfast Vivienne. As you say there is a lot of bad press and the few make misery for the many. Let’s hope the new year continues all the good steps forward that have been made over recent years. Your Hb’s photos are really good…..perhaps you can put him on your payroll??!! It’s sunny here now and much milder. Yay…just a week to go my friend. Take care
Jane x
December 18, 2012 at 12:18
How lovely it all looks and yes it is good to see another side to the ones the media tell us about! As you say everywhere has its ejits but everywhere also has its other side too! Hope you enjoyed your shopping trip as we certainly enjoyed the photos. Sun is out here and the birds are singing as if they think it’s spring!
December 18, 2012 at 12:32
Lovely pictures, Vivienne, those lights are just spectacular! No wonder you didn’t have any hands left for photo-taking
– those decorations would really get you into a Christmas mood&shopping!
Wishing you the loveliest Tuesday, enjoy the last days before Christmas!
Yours,
Mia
December 18, 2012 at 12:54
Wonderful Christmassy photos Vivienne – there is something magical about a city lit up for the festive season, and it looks like Belfast has some beautiful buildings, both old and modern.
I particularly love that first one, with the market in the foreground, the fairy lights in the trees, and the magnificent lit domes.
There must be a wonderful festive feeling being there that makes shopping extra special!
Thanks for sharing, have a lovely day!
Gill xx
December 18, 2012 at 16:11
lovely photos of christmas in belfast I have been there ones but not at christmas time in the summer but it looks very cosy in wintertime too
have a lovely christmas time greetings leon10
December 18, 2012 at 17:36
Beautiful Belfast! I must come and visit Ireland one day. x
December 18, 2012 at 18:17
Lovely!
December 18, 2012 at 20:54
Very beautiful. I love the outdoor market with the wreaths.
Thanks Vivienne and Mr B for showing us around the city!!
Happy counting down,
Anne
PC22
December 19, 2012 at 00:34
Such lovely photographs – my 3 month old nephew has just gone to Belfast today to meet his Mummy’s family and it is so nice to see the beautiful and the happy side of this lovely place, not the scary side told on the news. Maggie x
December 19, 2012 at 02:09
Oh it looks so merry! I was thinking of taking a walk at night with the hubby and kids just to take pictures of all our towns lights. It’s so magical this time of year.
December 19, 2012 at 02:41
Vivienne, How absolutely BeAuTiFiL! I would love to visit sometime, add to my bucket list. It’s a looonnnnngggg list.
Christmas is almost here! Getting so exciting, kids coming soon.
xoRobinâ¤
December 19, 2012 at 10:18
I LoVed these gorgeous Christmassy photos of beautiful Belfast! You hb did a wonderful job capturing the sparkly festive atmosphere….I love city night time pictures and these are sooo special.
Wishing you a happy week….hope all your preparations are going well!
Helen x
December 19, 2012 at 17:20
Hi Vivienne, wow, Belfast looks brilliant in all its Christmassy lights and is that a festive market I spy too, looks like my kind of place. The only time I’ve hopped over the Irish Sea was a holiday in County Kerry so never been to the north. You’ve captured it very nicely as a festive shopping destination.
Enjoy the festive countdown!
Sally x
Ps. parcel has been dispatched.
December 19, 2012 at 19:30
How beautiful, thank you Vivienne
)
wishing a you and yours a beautiful christmas time filled with love
love jooles x
December 20, 2012 at 10:53
Your pictures really reflect the Christmas atmosphere in Belfast! You can’t really feel the cold in Belfast these days, the lights and the exciting vibes of the Continental Market make it warm and overwhelming! Merry Christmas and thanks for sharing your shots.
December 20, 2012 at 20:36
It is not somewhere I’ve been fortunate enough to visit but it looks beautiful.
December 26, 2012 at 12:42
Beautiful pictures Vivienne. Belfast looks magical decked out for the season.
I hope you had a wonderful Christmas.
Margsaret x
December 30, 2012 at 16:20
Hi, I have just found your blog…..nice to discover someone else from Norn Iron
Im from Belfast…..mh 20 minutes Im wondering if you are from Carrick or from Lisburn maybe. Must have a look at your other posts, Happy New Year, alison
January 28, 2013 at 17:55
the top photo is beautiful….. that time of evening when everything looks purplish blue is my favourite….