Unmissable Events on the Island of Ireland for 2025

Planning a trip to Ireland in 2025? Here's a guide to some of the most exciting events happening across the island. Mark your calendar!

Main festivals and quirky celebrations

• St. Patrick’s Festival (Dublin - March 14–17): Celebrate Ireland’s patron saint with parades, music, and festivities nationwide. Dublin hosts the largest parade, but smaller towns offer their unique charm.
  
• Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival (Belfast, May) For an explosion of creativity, head to Belfast during the Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival. This celebration showcases the best in music, literature, and visual arts, turning the historic Cathedral Quarter into a cultural hub.
  
• Galway International Arts Festival (July 14–27): A spectacular showcase of theatre, music, and visual arts in the vibrant city of Galway.
  
• Puck Fair (County Kerry - August 10–12): Ireland’s oldest festival in Killorglin celebrates with a crowned goat king, parades, live music, and a funfair.
  
• Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann (Wexford - August 10–18): The largest traditional Irish music festival returns to Mullingar with ceili dances, competitions, and concerts.
  
• Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival (August 30–September 29): Love is in the air at this unique festival in County Clare, with live music and dancing every day.
  
• Púca Festival (Athboy/Trim, late October). The festival celebrates the ancient spirit of Halloween, which originated in Ireland more than 2000 years ago
  
• Derry Halloween (October 31st) The Walled City transforms into a Halloween haven with one of the world's biggest Halloween celebrations. Join the eerie festivities, including the famous parade and spooky events suitable for all ages.

For outdoors enthusiasts :
From hiking festivals and trail running to dark sky festivals, Ireland's great outdoors has something for everyone.

• Wander Wild Festival, Killarney (April)
• Ocean to City, Cork (May 31)
• Quest Lough Derg, Ireland's Hidden Heartlands (September)
• Wicklow Eco Trail (September)
• Mayo Dark Skies (November)

For music fans :

• Tradfest, Dublin (End of January)
  
• IMBOLC International Music Festival (January 26-February 1)
• Kilkenny Tradfest. (March 14-17)
  
• Rory Gallagher International Festival ((Donegal, May 29th – June 1st))
  
• Sea Sessions, County Donegal (June)
  
• West Cork Chamber Music Festival (June 27–July 6): 
• Electric Picnic, County Laois (August 29-31)
• Wexford Festival Opera 
• Cork Jazz Festival (October 24–27): 

Literature and visual arts
Explore creativity at these events celebrating Irish and international literature and visual arts.

• Dublin International Film Festival (February 20 - March 2)
  
• Listowel Writers Week, County Kerry (May)
• Fastnet Film Festival - Schull - West Cork (May 21st - 25th)
  
• Bloomsday Festival (Dublin - June 11–16): 
• Galway Film Fleadh (July)
• Kilkenny Arts (August)
• Dublin Theatre Festival (September)
• Clifden Arts (September)
• Belfast International Arts Festival (October-November)
• Kilkenny Animated (October)

Food & gastronomy festivals
Discover local flavors and enjoy Irish cuisine at these popular food festivals.

• Waterford Festival of Food (April)
• Taste of Dublin (June)
• Galway Oyster Festival (September)
• Dingle Food Festival (October)
  
• The Salmon and Whiskey Festival - Bushmills – County Antrim (October 3-5)
  
• Samhain Festival of Food & Culture (November)
  
  

The Fastnet Film Festival - Schull - West Cork
21st - 25th of May 2025

The Fastnet Film Festival, Schull, West Cork which runs for 5 days at the end of May from Wed 21st to Sun 25th, is a major showcase for Irish and International short film production, focusing on the craft of film. Over the five days of the festival we screen 15 feature length films and 150 short films in up to 15 venues around the village of Schull. We host panel discussions, seminars and practical workshops with industry professionals covering all aspects of filmmaking. Fringe events include: Live music, Drama, Book readings, Movie Quiz, Café viewing all over town, high quality, free family entertainment for all, outdoor screenings and an Irish language day on Cape Clear. www.fastnetfilmfestival.com

This is already a fantastic list! There are two events that I would recommend also:

IMBOLC International Music Festival (January 26 - February 1): This festival is one of the highlights of the North West cultural calendar and one of Ireland's music festivals. It is a prominent cultural event held annually in The Walled City, celebrating the arrival of spring through music, dance, and language.

Another one worth visiting is the Dublin International Film Festival (February 20 - March 2): For all the film lovers out there, this is a must! The festival brings together a mix of indie films, premieres, and special events. It is A fantastic opportunity to discover new films and enjoy the film scene in Dublin. 🍿🎬

These two should be on your radar if you're planning to visit Ireland soon. 

Allow me to add another event!

The Salmon and Whiskey Festival - Bushmills – County Antrim
3rd – 5th October 2025

Bushmills Salmon & Whiskey Festival is an annual celebration of the food, drink and local heritage of the area.
The programme includes a wide variety of activities and events - including fantastic food and drink samplings and cookery demonstrations, unique bespoke hosted foodie tours and experiences, a self-guided Taste Trail to sample delicious festival dishes, cocktails and specials. There'll be live music as well as great street entertainment, a range of fun kids’ activities, craft activities and workshops! 
Enjoy the local warm hospitality at venues throughout the village including at the Bushmills Distillery and at the Naturally North Coast & Glens Artisan Market.  
Save the date!
https://discovernorthernireland.com/whats-on/bushmills-salmon-and-whiskey-festival-p832811

It looks like 2025 is shaping up to be an exciting year for anyone visiting Ireland! ☘️

From festivals to outdoor adventures, there's something for every type of traveler.
A few more events that deserve a mention:

• Belfast International Arts Festival (October - November 2025): If you're planning a trip later in the year, this festival is a must for art and culture lovers, featuring performances, exhibitions, and installations from around the world.
• Skibbereen Arts Festival (July 2025): This West Cork gem celebrates arts in many forms, with performances, theatre, workshops, and community events that bring together both locals and visitors.
• The Dublin Horse Show (August 2025): For lovers of equestrian sports, this is one of the premier events of the summer. It's a celebration of horse culture, featuring show jumping, breeding competitions, and an exciting atmosphere.

Ireland's cultural scene is a huge part of the country's charm, and each event offers a unique perspective on its traditions.
Which event are you most excited about? 🤩

Wow! I just added a few of these suggestions to my agenda for 2025!

Here are a few more (lesser-known) events that are worth mentioning:



• Dublin Dance Festival (13th - 24th May) - If you are (like me) a lover of contemporary dance, you should not miss this festival. Some of the highlights have been announced already (and tickets are for sale), but it’s definitely worth checking out the schedule again in March when the remaining programme will be published.
  
  
• Oireachtas na Samhna (29th October - 2nd November) - This year the city of Belfast will host the oldest Irish language and arts festival on the island of Ireland. The festival schedule includes a variety of competitions, movie screenings, workshops and other events, all celebrating the Irish language.
  
  
• Baboró International Arts Festival for Children (October) - The Baboró charity organisation focuses on artist development and community work - with the overall goal of bringing art to children. Their annual festival is the highlight of the year and celebrates children not only as an audience but also as artists. 



Which events and festivals are you planning to see in 2025?