The tenth Eastside Awards in association with Belfast City Airport has launched with new categories, new sponsors and a new venue partner for the awards ceremony, showcasing the best of East Belfast.

The stunning milestone tenth anniversary awards will take place in the iconic surroundings of Titanic Belfast on Friday 30 January 2026 and celebrate an eclectic mix of finalists from applications submitted directly to Eastside Awards and online public voting via media partner Belfast Live.

Jonathan McAlpin, Chief Executive of East Belfast Enterprise and Chair of the Eastside Awards Committee, said: “The Eastside Awards has become a jewel in the city’s awards calendar and a true celebration of the best of East Belfast. Over the past decade, almost 400 individuals, businesses, schools, community projects, arts organisations, volunteers, sports and young people have participated in the awards and been recognised for their creativity, achievement and resilience. We have been proud to play our part in honouring them with an Eastside Award.

“The tenth Eastside Awards will shine a spotlight on individuals and organisations whose hard work, creativity, passion, and achievements make East Belfast a vibrant and inspiring place to live, work, and visit. This year’s awards feature 21 categories, offering opportunities for local businesses, schools, community groups, and individuals to apply and be nominated and I want to encourage anyone with a story to tell about what they’ve achieved for this corner of Belfast to tell us, because we want to celebrate you!”

The tenth Eastside Awards in association with Belfast City Airport categories open to online application are:

  • The 2025 Eastside Award for Best Place to Work sponsored by Fleet Financial
  • The 2025 Eastside Award for Business Growth sponsored by We’resure Insurance Services
  • The 2025 Eastside Award for Business StartUp sponsored by Belfast City Council
  • The 2025 Eastside Award for Community Impact sponsored by Belfast Harbour
  • The 2025 Eastside Award for Contribution to Arts and Culture sponsored by EastSide Partnership
  • The 2025 Eastside Award for Excellence in Health and Wellbeing sponsored by Phoenix Energy
  • The 2025 Eastside Award for Sustainable Business of the Year sponsored by Action Renewables
  • The 2025 Eastside Award for Trainee / Apprentice of the Year sponsored by Plumb Centre
  • The 2025 Eastside Award for Young Person of the Year sponsored by Belfast City Airport

The tenth Eastside Awards in association with Belfast City Airport categories open to online public vote with media partner Belfast Live are:

  • The 2025 Eastside Award for Favourite Beauty Business sponsored by Argento
  • The 2025 Eastside Award for Favourite Estate Agent sponsored by Navigate
  • The 2025 Eastside Award for Favourite Food Destination sponsored by Clarke & Co Accountants
  • The 2025 Eastside Award for Favourite Hairdresser / Barber sponsored by Solv
  • The 2025 Eastside Award for Favourite Primary Principal sponsored by Open College Network
  • The 2025 Eastside Award for Favourite Post-Primary Principal sponsored by The Open University
  • The 2025 Eastside Award for Favourite Translink Driver sponsored by Translink
  • The 2025 Eastside Award for Heritage and History sponsored by Maritime Belfast Trust
  • The 2025 Eastside Award for Local Sporting Hero sponsored by Better
  • The 2025 Eastside Award for Tourism Hero sponsored by Reid Black
  • The 2025 Eastside Award for Volunteer of the Year sponsored by East Belfast Mission
“Each year the entrants inspire us with their stories, ambitions, and achievements, and we are excited to see what this year’s Eastside Awards will bring"

The recipient of The 2025 Eastside Award for Outstanding Contribution sponsored by East Belfast Enterprise will be chosen by the Eastside Awards committee.

Michelle Hatfield, Chief People and Marketing Officer at Belfast City Airport, said: “As an airport in the heart of East Belfast, we’re committed to making a meaningful difference in the place we call home.

“Now in our tenth year as the Principal Sponsor of the Eastside Awards, we have seen firsthand how important it is to recognise the spirit, resilience, and creativity of our community and celebrate the local people and organisations that are going above and beyond to make East Belfast an even better place.

“Each year the entrants inspire us with their stories, ambitions, and achievements, and we are excited to see what this year’s Eastside Awards will bring.”

The Eastside Awards ceremony on Friday 30 January 2026 will be hosted by venue partner Titanic Belfast and be presented by TV personality Tara Mills. The glittering awards ceremony finalists drinks reception will be sponsored by Catalyst with entertainment sponsored by Ballyhackamore Credit Union.

For more information and details on how to enter by 17 October at 5pm visit www.eastsideawards.org and follow the awards on social media.