Unmissable Events in Ireland for 2026

2026 is shaping up to be a year of big gatherings, traditions, and the kind of celebrations that we love on the island of Ireland. Whether you’re drawn to music, literature, folklore, or simply the joy of joining a crowd, here are the stand-out events to keep on your radar across the island.

Main gatherings and festivals

TradFest (January 21–25) - Dublin
A winter celebration of traditional and folk music in Dublin’s historic venues, from cosy pubs to iconic churches.
More info: https://tradfest.com/

St. Patrick’s Festival (March 14–17) - Dublin
Celebrate Ireland’s national festival with parades, street performances, concerts, and city-wide magic in Dublin, plus charming local celebrations across the island.
More info: https://stpatricksfestival.ie

Bloomsday Festival (June 11–16) - Dublin
During Bloomsday, dive into the world of James Joyce with readings, performances, and costumed events all over Dublin.
More info: https://www.bloomsdayfestival.ie
Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann (August 2–9) - Belfast
The global celebration of traditional Irish music returns with competitions, sessions, céilís, and concerts. Hosted in Belfast for 2026.
More info: https://fleadhcheoil.ie
Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival (September, dates TBC) - Lisdoonvarna
Love is in the air at this unique festival in County Clare, with live music and dancing every day.
More info: https://www.matchmakerireland.com/
Puca Festival (October) - Trim & Athboy
A modern Halloween celebration rooted in ancient Samhain traditions, featuring fire shows, legends, music, and immersive storytelling.
More info: https://pucafestival.com/
Derry Halloween (October 28-31) - Derry-Londonderry
One of Europe’s biggest Halloween celebrations: parades, installations, folklore, and a whole city in costume.
More info: https://derryhalloween.com

Music festivals

West Cork Chamber Music Festival (June 26–July 5) – Bantry
Intimate concerts with top-tier classical musicians.
More info: https://westcorkmusic.ie
All Together Now (Jul 30 - Aug 2) – County Waterford
A boutique blend of music, art, talks, and wellness set on the scenic Curraghmore Estate.
More info: https://alltogethernow.ie
Electric Picnic (Aug 28-30) – Stradbally
Ireland’s landmark music & arts festival with big headliners, art trails, spoken word, and wellness zones.
More info: https://electricpicnic.ie
Cork Jazz Festival (Oct 23–27) – Cork City
Jazz legends and emerging artists take over the pubs, venues, and streets of Cork all weekend long.
More info: https://guinnesscorkjazz.com/

Cultural and literary festivals

Hinterland Festival (June 25–28) – Kells
Talks, debates, workshops, and cultural events in a heritage-rich medieval town.
More info: https://hinterland.ie
Galway International Arts Festival (July 13–26) – Galway
A major European arts festival mixing world-class theatre, music, and installations.
More info: https://giaf.ie
Rose of Tralee (Aug 14-18) - County Kerry
A cultural event combining music, parades, and the iconic Rose selection, celebrating Irish communities worldwide.
More info: https://roseoftralee.ie
Belfast International Arts Festival (Oct–Nov, dates TBC) – Belfast
International performances in theatre, dance, music, and contemporary arts.
More info: https://belfastinternationalartsfestival.com
Bram Stoker Festival (October 24–27)
While it still counts as a Halloween festival, Bram Stoker Festival is more than that, with a gothic playground of theatre, night-time spectacles, and spooky fun across Dublin.
More info: https://bramstokerfestival.com

Food festivals

Taste of Dublin (June, dates TBC) – Dublin
Chef demos, tastings, and gourmet pop-ups in the heart of the city.
More info: https://tasteofdublin.ie
Galway International Oyster & Seafood Festival (Sep 25-27) – Galway
Famous oyster-shucking championships and seafood tastings by the waterfront.
More info: https://galwayoysterfestival.com
Armagh Food & Cider Festival (September, dates TBC) – Northern Ireland
Confirmed for 2026! Harvest feasts, orchard tours, cider tastings, and craft food events.
More info: https://visitarmagh.com
Dingle Food Festival (October 2-4) – Dingle Peninsula
Tasting trails, artisan stalls, demos, and a lively community atmosphere.
More info https://dinglefood.com

Hiking and outdoors, walking festivals

Connemara Mountain walking festival (May 1-3) – Connemara
Guided walks through the boglands, mountains, and Atlantic landscapes of Connemara.
More info: https://connemaramountainwalkingfestival.com

Burren in Bloom (May2-25) – County Clare
Botanical walks celebrating rare flowers and the unique Burren ecosystem.
More info: https://www.burreninbloom.com/
Skibbereen Walking Festival (Late september, dates TBC) - West Cork
Skibbereen Walking Festival Weekend is held annually on the last weekend of September, with guided walks for walkers of all abilities.
More info: https://skibbereen.ie/skibbereen-walking-festival/

...Your turn!

Have we missed an event you love? Add your favourite festival, big or small, to this thread: the community will thank you for it!

Author	Message
	Antoine Posted Fri 12 Dec 2025 8:53 AM
Antoine Community Expert 6 7 30 Island of Ireland Posts: 706 Group: Community Administrator Last Active: 25 minutes ago Visits: 79.2K	2026 is shaping up to be a year of big gatherings, traditions, and the kind of celebrations that we love on the island of Ireland. Whether you’re drawn to music, literature, folklore, or simply the joy of joining a crowd, here are the stand-out events to keep on your radar across the island. Main gatherings and festivals TradFest (January 21–25) - Dublin A winter celebration of traditional and folk music in Dublin’s historic venues, from cosy pubs to iconic churches. More info: https://tradfest.com/ St. Patrick’s Festival (March 14–17) - Dublin Celebrate Ireland’s national festival with parades, street performances, concerts, and city-wide magic in Dublin, plus charming local celebrations across the island. More info: https://stpatricksfestival.ie Bloomsday Festival (June 11–16) - Dublin During Bloomsday, dive into the world of James Joyce with readings, performances, and costumed events all over Dublin. More info: https://www.bloomsdayfestival.ie Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann (August 2–9) - Belfast The global celebration of traditional Irish music returns with competitions, sessions, céilís, and concerts. Hosted in Belfast for 2026. More info: https://fleadhcheoil.ie Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival (September, dates TBC) - Lisdoonvarna Love is in the air at this unique festival in County Clare, with live music and dancing every day. More info: https://www.matchmakerireland.com/ Puca Festival (October) - Trim & Athboy A modern Halloween celebration rooted in ancient Samhain traditions, featuring fire shows, legends, music, and immersive storytelling. More info: https://pucafestival.com/ Derry Halloween (October 28-31) - Derry-Londonderry One of Europe’s biggest Halloween celebrations: parades, installations, folklore, and a whole city in costume. More info: https://derryhalloween.com Music festivals West Cork Chamber Music Festival (June 26–July 5) – Bantry Intimate concerts with top-tier classical musicians. More info: https://westcorkmusic.ie All Together Now (Jul 30 - Aug 2) – County Waterford A boutique blend of music, art, talks, and wellness set on the scenic Curraghmore Estate. More info: https://alltogethernow.ie Electric Picnic (Aug 28-30) – Stradbally Ireland’s landmark music & arts festival with big headliners, art trails, spoken word, and wellness zones. More info: https://electricpicnic.ie Cork Jazz Festival (Oct 23–27) – Cork City Jazz legends and emerging artists take over the pubs, venues, and streets of Cork all weekend long. More info: https://guinnesscorkjazz.com/ Cultural and literary festivals Hinterland Festival (June 25–28) – Kells Talks, debates, workshops, and cultural events in a heritage-rich medieval town. More info: https://hinterland.ie Galway International Arts Festival (July 13–26) – Galway A major European arts festival mixing world-class theatre, music, and installations. More info: https://giaf.ie Rose of Tralee (Aug 14-18) - County Kerry A cultural event combining music, parades, and the iconic Rose selection, celebrating Irish communities worldwide. More info: https://roseoftralee.ie Belfast International Arts Festival (Oct–Nov, dates TBC) – Belfast International performances in theatre, dance, music, and contemporary arts. More info: https://belfastinternationalartsfestival.com Bram Stoker Festival (October 24–27) While it still counts as a Halloween festival, Bram Stoker Festival is more than that, with a gothic playground of theatre, night-time spectacles, and spooky fun across Dublin. More info: https://bramstokerfestival.com Food festivals Taste of Dublin (June, dates TBC) – Dublin Chef demos, tastings, and gourmet pop-ups in the heart of the city. More info: https://tasteofdublin.ie Galway International Oyster & Seafood Festival (Sep 25-27) – Galway Famous oyster-shucking championships and seafood tastings by the waterfront. More info: https://galwayoysterfestival.com Armagh Food & Cider Festival (September, dates TBC) – Northern Ireland Confirmed for 2026! Harvest feasts, orchard tours, cider tastings, and craft food events. More info: https://visitarmagh.com Dingle Food Festival (October 2-4) – Dingle Peninsula Tasting trails, artisan stalls, demos, and a lively community atmosphere. More info https://dinglefood.com Hiking and outdoors, walking festivals Connemara Mountain walking festival (May 1-3) – Connemara Guided walks through the boglands, mountains, and Atlantic landscapes of Connemara. More info: https://connemaramountainwalkingfestival.com Burren in Bloom (May2-25) – County Clare Botanical walks celebrating rare flowers and the unique Burren ecosystem. More info: https://www.burreninbloom.com/ Skibbereen Walking Festival (Late september, dates TBC) - West Cork Skibbereen Walking Festival Weekend is held annually on the last weekend of September, with guided walks for walkers of all abilities. More info: https://skibbereen.ie/skibbereen-walking-festival/ ...Your turn! Have we missed an event you love? Add your favourite festival, big or small, to this thread: the community will thank you for it! Tags EnglishPro
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Unmissable Events in Ireland for 2026

Unmissable Events in Ireland for 2026

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