What's On in Ireland

Immersive family exhibition at the Ulster American Folk Park bringing Marita Conlon-McKenna's beloved Famine novel to life — running until March 2027.

The National Gallery of Ireland's annual portrait prize exhibition on tour — contemporary Irish portraiture at Waterford Gallery of Art until 11 October.

Five more race meetings at Roscommon Racecourse in 2026 — summer evening fixtures in August, then daytime meetings in September and October.

A full month of music, dancing and traditional matchmaking in a small North Clare spa town, drawing tens of thousands from around the world.

Sixteen days of new theatre, dance, immersive installations and late-night performance across venues city-wide.

The 95th National Ploughing Championships return to Screggan, Tullamore — three days of ploughing, a vast trade exhibition and rural Ireland at full tilt.

Five days of guitar music in the streets, pubs and unlikely corners of Clonakilty, with Paul Brady leading the 2026 line-up.

Ireland's longest-running community arts festival brings music, literature, theatre and visual art to the Connemara town of Clifden for its 49th year.

Four days commemorating the 1,100 Spanish Armada sailors lost at Streedagh in 1588 — beach ceremonies, shipwreck walks, a flotilla salute and a free exhibition.

A weekend of traditional Irish music in Drogheda — 50-plus artists on a pub session trail, masterclass workshops, recitals and céilí dancing.

One night, over 100 free events — Belfast's venues, galleries and hidden corners open their doors for the all-Ireland celebration of arts and culture.

One free Friday evening when venues across County Carlow open late with performances, exhibitions and events.

One free Friday evening when venues across County Cavan open late with performances, exhibitions and events.

One free evening when museums, galleries, studios and cultural spaces across Dublin open their doors late — no tickets, no charge.

One free Friday evening when venues across Fermanagh open late with music, exhibitions, performances and workshops.

A free, family-friendly night when museums, galleries, studios and venues across the city open their doors after hours.

One free Friday evening when cultural venues across County Kildare open late with performances, exhibitions and events.

One free Friday evening when venues across County Laois open late with music, exhibitions, workshops and performances.

Leitrim joins the all-island Culture Night — one free Friday evening of late openings, music, exhibitions and performances across the county.

One free evening in September when venues across Limerick open late with performances, exhibitions and events, as part of Ireland's national celebration of culture.

One free evening in September when venues across Longford town and the wider county open late with performances, exhibitions and events, as part of Ireland's national Culture Night.

One free Friday evening when venues across County Offaly open late with performances, exhibitions and events.

One free evening in September when venues across Waterford open late with performances, exhibitions and events, as part of Ireland's national celebration of culture.

One free evening in September when venues across Athlone, Mullingar and the wider county open late with performances, exhibitions and events, as part of Ireland's national Culture Night.

One free evening in September when venues across County Wexford open late with performances, exhibitions and events, as part of Ireland's national celebration of culture.

One free Friday evening when venues across County Wicklow open late with music, exhibitions, workshops and performances.

The multi-platinum Dublin singer-songwriter plays a big top show at Lukers of Shannonbridge on the banks of the Shannon.

A week of competitive hot air ballooning over Lough Key Forest Park — dawn ascents and evening flights with international pilots, free to watch.

Seven consecutive days of flat and National Hunt racing in Listowel, north Kerry's biggest week of the year.

Northern Ireland's longest-running literature festival — twelve days celebrating Irish writing in Bangor, now in its 35th year.

Five days of international and Irish jazz in Limerick city venues, including a centenary celebration of John Coltrane with A Love Supreme performed live.

The riverside town of New Ross marks 20 years of its September piano festival, with world-class classical players and a jazz strand.

Clonmel's autumn harvest festival, celebrating food, heritage and nature through the arts as the apple harvest comes in.

Eighteen days of Irish and international theatre across Dublin's stages, with Ruth Negga leading the 2026 programme at the Gaiety.

Bundoran's end-of-season surf and music festival runs 24 September to 4 October 2026, with its surfing competition opening from 16 September.

Achill Island's multi-watersport and music festival — kitesurfing, windsurfing and winging by day at Keel, forest festivities by night at the Valley House.

The world's longest-running oyster festival marks its 72nd year with oyster-opening championships, seafood and live music in Galway city.

A weekend of traditional music, song and dance in the heritage town of Ardara, honouring the great Donegal fiddle player Johnny Doherty.

Inniskeen's annual celebration of Patrick Kavanagh — poetry, music and conversation in the poet's home village, with Tommy Tiernan and Anne Waldman among 2026's guests.

A boutique literary festival in the fishing village of Kilmore Quay — a weekend of author talks, readings, debates and workshops beside the sea.

Two weeks of free talks and debate from best-selling Irish and international historians, run by Dublin City Council.

Trail running festival based in Bray, with five races from 10K to a mountainous 80K through the Wicklow hills.

The historic Moravian village of Gracehill fills with whimsical scarecrows for a free autumn weekend of trails, voting and an artisan market.

A weekend of 17th- and 18th-century music from international and Irish performers, held in Sligo town on the last weekend of September.

Five days of coarse angling matches on the lakes around Carrigallen, with the village's famous hospitality between weigh-ins.

Limerick's children's arts festival — eleven days of theatre and creative events for young audiences in venues across the city.

Newcastle West's annual literary and arts festival honouring the poet Michael Hartnett, with a European theme for 2026.

Ten days of theatre, music, film, literature and street art across Ballina each October.

A weekend of guided walks in the Blackstairs Mountains and along the Barrow, from gentle nature strolls to full mountain treks.

A weekend of food in Dingle town — the famous Taste Trail, over 70 market stalls, masterclasses, workshops and street entertainment.

Gowran Park's flagship autumn National Hunt weekend, headlined by the Grade 2 PwC Champion Chase on the Saturday.

Leitrim's literature festival brings writers, poets and musicians to The Dock in Carrick-on-Shannon for a weekend of readings and conversation.

One of Europe's oldest and largest horse fairs takes over Ballinasloe for a week of horse trading, music and street festivities.

Birr's independent film festival — five days of Irish and international cinema and filmmaker events centred on Birr Theatre & Arts Centre.

Four days of folk and traditional music across some 20 Cork city venues, with more than 150 musicians and Mary Black headlining in 2026.

Ireland's flagship international arts festival for children and families celebrates its 30th edition across Galway city and county.

The 30th anniversary of Ireland's long-running walking festival in Kilfinane — guided walks for all abilities, with the Joyce Brothers Music Festival running alongside.

A sober, land-based autumn gathering at Lisnavagh — music, talks, yoga, communal food and family activities marking the turn of the season.

A weekend genealogy conference in Kilrush marking the release of the 1926 Irish Census, with expert speakers, one-to-one consultations and heritage tours.

A two-day autumn flat meeting at Naas Racecourse, headlined by the Birdcatcher Nursery and the Irish EBF Auction Series Final.

Ireland's biggest architecture festival — nine days of free tours, talks and open buildings across Dublin, from private homes to landmarks.

The 64th edition of Belfast's flagship autumn arts festival brings theatre, music and dance to more than 30 venues across the city.

Cavan town's October trad weekend celebrates fiddle player and composer Ed Reavy with pub sessions, céilithe and competitions.

Killarney's film festival returns for its 27th edition with Irish and international features, short-film strands and filmmaker Q&As.

Westport's intimate literary festival, gathering writers, poets, musicians and artists in the town beneath Croagh Patrick each autumn.

Ireland's world-renowned festival of rare opera marks its 75th anniversary with three new productions at the National Opera House.

An independent film festival in the seaside village of Ballyliffin, screening shorts, features and documentaries from Ireland and abroad.

Athy's annual weekend of lectures, screenings and exhibitions devoted to Kildare-born polar explorer Ernest Shackleton.

A fortnight of live music and comedy in a mirrored big top on Wexford Quay, running alongside the opera festival each October.

North-west Ireland's biggest music festival — a fortnight of folk, roots and traditional music in theatres, arts centres and pubs across Sligo town.

World Snooker Tour ranking event at the Waterfront Hall, marking ten years of top-flight snooker in Belfast, with the Alex Higgins Trophy at stake.

Ireland's largest comedy festival returns over the October bank holiday week, headlined in 2026 by Dara Ó Briain.

Waterford's multidisciplinary autumn arts festival marks its 25th year — six days of theatre, music, dance, literature and visual art across the city.

A week-long Halloween festival at Slieve Gullion Forest Park — lantern-lit woodland trails, storytelling and theatrical performances rooted in Samhain.

Four days of choral music across Derry, with national and international competitions, workshops, choral trails and gala concerts.

Independent cinema takes over the town of The Butcher Boy in late October, with screenings, workshops and the Francie short film awards.

Ireland's flagship jazz weekend — five days over the October bank holiday with more than 500 musicians, 100 events and a free music trail across Cork.

Kilkenny's October bank holiday food festival turns 20, with a free Festival Quarter on The Parade, 100 artisan producers, chef demos and ticketed dining events.

Four days and nights of gothic adventures across Dublin for the October bank holiday — spectacle, storytelling and family Stokerland events.

Drogheda's heritage buildings lit up with animated Irish myths over the October bank holiday — a free, family-friendly festival of light.

Two days of short films, screenplay awards and filmmaker events at Roscommon Arts Centre.

Belvedere House's Halloween week — evening openings at the lakeside estate outside Mullingar from 24 to 31 October.

Mid Ulster District Council's free family Halloween night for Cookstown, with entertainment and fireworks at the Mid Ulster Sports Arena.

The National Trust's annual autumn artisan food and craft fair in the grounds of Florence Court, run with Tully Mill.

Ireland's biggest marathon takes over the capital's streets on the October bank holiday Sunday — a great free spectacle even if you're not running.

A two-day National Hunt meeting at Wexford Racecourse over the October bank holiday weekend, closing out the track's 2026 season.

Nenagh's annual Halloween arts festival for children and young people, running through the school midterm break.

Europe's biggest Halloween festival marks its 40th year — four nights of illuminated trails, a carnival parade and fireworks in the Walled City.

Offaly's children's arts festival fills the October mid-term with shows and workshops in music, craft, art and dance across five towns.

Ireland's Halloween festival in the county where Samhain began — fire ceremonies, processions, castle projections and headline concerts across Trim and Athboy.

Westport's award-winning autumn festival of music, art, film and performance, running over the Halloween weekend.

Northern Ireland's biggest two days of horse racing — the Grade 1 Champion Chase headlines Halloween weekend at Down Royal.

Free Halloween fun and fireworks in Dungannon town centre, launched from the Hill of The O'Neill above Market Square.

Three nights of stargazing, expert talks, planetarium shows and music in the villages beside Mayo's International Dark Sky Park — celebrating its 10th year in 2026.

An evening Samhain procession through Roscommon town, celebrating the festival's origins in the nearby Rathcroghan landscape.

Cork city's Samhain night parade — a 36-foot community-built dragon leads a procession of ghouls and beasts through the Shandon streets each Halloween.

Longford town's Halloween-night parade of fire, light and Samhain mythology — the fiery centrepiece of the county's Dead of Night Halloween festival.

The festival of Irish publishing marks its 20th year with five days of author events, walking tours and a free family weekend across the city.

The feature day of the year at Clonmel Racecourse — Grade 2 National Hunt racing at Powerstown Park in early November.

Five days of concerts, masterclasses and a famous pub session trail through the medieval streets of Ennis — the 32nd edition of Clare's November trad festival.

The 22nd Polish Arts Festival — four days of Polish culture and art across Limerick city venues including the Belltable and the Hunt Museum.

The world's first economics and comedy festival — three days of economists, analysts and stand-up comedians making sense of the world in Kilkenny's venues.

Galway's annual contemporary visual arts festival returns for its 24th edition, themed 'Veruca Salt' and inspired by 50 years of punk.

Westport's big November adventure race — running, cycling and a Croagh Patrick mountain stage, with beginner and advanced courses.

Four days of free live music in Portstewart and Portrush — 30-plus gigs in bars, hotels and restaurants along the Causeway Coast.

Ireland's oldest and largest film festival returns for its 71st edition — eleven days of screenings across Cork city in November.

Storytellers from Ireland and abroad fill the Ring of Kerry village of Sneem with tales, folklore talks, music and fireside sessions.

Belfast's queer arts festival celebrates its 20th birthday with nine days of new work, commissions and performances in venues across the city.

Ireland's largest Christmas festival — markets, lights, parades and more than 60 family attractions across Waterford city on weekends from mid-November to 23 December.

Navan's flagship jumps weekend — the Troytown Chase, Fortria Chase and Lismullen Hurdle over two days in November.

The 20th edition of Waterford's film festival — a November weekend of live screenings and competitions, followed by a week of online screenings.

Winter skating on real ice in the forest at Beyond the Trees Avondale, from mid-November right through the Christmas season.

Two Grade 1 races in one November weekend — the Morgiana Hurdle and John Durkan Memorial Chase — as jump racing's winter season opens.

The Gaiety's much-loved Christmas pantomime returns for 2026 with Robin Hood, a family fixture running from November into the new year.

Limerick's festive season programme, from an outdoor ice rink at Arthur's Quay Park to a Christmas village, Santa and city-centre lights.

Cork Opera House's annual Christmas panto runs from late November to mid-January — in 2026/27 it's Beauty and the Beast.

Armagh city's festive season opener — four days of market stalls, costumed characters, light shows and Georgian-themed events in its 18th-century streets.

Open-air skating on a real ice rink on Wexford Quay, from late November right through the Christmas season to early January.

A festive Gruffalo's Child trail through Hillsborough Castle's 100-acre gardens, with Santa visits, film screenings and a decorated royal castle.

Two days of Grade 1 National Hunt racing at Fairyhouse — the Hatton's Grace Hurdle and Drinmore Novice Chase headline Ireland's biggest winter racing weekend.

Belfast's Grand Opera House stages its big family pantomime, The Little Mermaid, from late November to early January, with May McFettridge back as Dame.

The Lyric Theatre's family Christmas production for 2026 is Anne-Marie Casey's stage adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's Little Women.

Kilkenny's Christmas festival — a free-entry market on The Parade beneath the castle, Santa experiences, concerts and family events through December.

Irish National Opera brings its touring chamber production of Smetana's comic opera to VISUAL Carlow for one night.

Disney On Ice returns to Belfast's SSE Arena in December with an ice spectacular starring characters from Frozen, Moana, Encanto, Toy Story and more.

A ten-night festive staging of Disney's Frozen musical at Enniskillen's lakeside Ardhowen Theatre, with family matinees and a sensory-inclusive show.

Mullingar Arts Centre's Christmas pantomime for 2026 is Snow White, running a near month-long season from 4 to 29 December.

Roscommon town's festive weekend — a Christmas market on the Square and the Enchanted Christmas Trail of lights in Loughnaneane Park.

An interactive Santa experience for younger children in Colmanswell, west County Limerick, open on weekends in the run-up to Christmas.

The midwinter sunrise illuminates the 5,000-year-old chamber at Newgrange on the mornings of 19–23 December — chamber places are drawn by lottery, with applications closing 30 September.

Four days of top-class National Hunt racing in south Dublin between Christmas and New Year, headlined by the Grade 1 Savills Chase.

Four consecutive days of National Hunt racing at Limerick Racecourse from St Stephen's Day, headlined by the Grade 1 Faugheen Novice Chase.

A winter school of traditional music in the Donegal Gaeltacht between Christmas and New Year — classes by day, concerts and sessions by night.

Castlecomer's famous New Year's Day charity run — a 4km circuit tackled in wellington boots, with fancy dress, floats and a celebrity grand marshal.

Ireland's largest traditional and folk music festival — five January days of concerts in Dublin Castle, St Patrick's Cathedral and Temple Bar.

Ireland's only international marching-band championship parades through Limerick city centre each St. Patrick's weekend — free to watch.

A four-day festival of parades, free outdoor concerts and family entertainment building to the St Patrick's Day parade on 17 March 2027.

Limerick's free St. Patrick's Day parade winds through the city centre with floats, performers and family entertainment.

Northern Ireland's largest agricultural show returns for its 158th year at Balmoral Park near Lisburn, with four days of livestock, showjumping and family fun.

Ireland's largest gardening, food and family festival returns to the Phoenix Park over the June bank holiday weekend.