From heavy hitters such as Electric Picnic and Dublin Theatre Festival to more esoteric gatherings, the Irish festival calendar has something for everyone. The list below offers just a taste of the cultural showcases coming up in 2025. Lots of festivals won’t announce their programmes until later in the year, so keep an eye on their websites and social media.
January
Dublin Lunar New Year
Until Sunday, February 2nd, dublinlunarnewyear.ie
The Chinese Year of the Snake symbolises wisdom, transformation and resilience. As snakes shed their skin through sloughing, they are symbols of rebirth, immortality and healing. The Lunar New Year celebrations culminate on Sunday, February 2nd, with the festival’s flagship event, a day of festivities in Meeting House Square.
Classics Now
January 31st-February 2nd, Dublin, classicsnow.ie
This year’s festival, which includes talks, dance, drama and film, features the novelists Pat Barker and Ferdia Lennon, the classicist Edith Hall, the dramatist Gavin Kostick, the dance-theatre artist Luke Murphy and the Jordanian playwright Raphaël Khouri.
Brigit
January 31st-February 3rd, Dublin, dublin.ie
The fourth Brigit: Dublin City Celebrating Women festival features more than 80 events. Honouring the Celtic goddess Brigid, who embodies inspiration, healing, magic, smithcraft, wisdom, poetry, protection, fire and earth, it showcases women’s contributions, past and present, with a citywide programme spotlighting women’s stories, underscoring their impact on society and heralding the arrival of spring.
Brigid, Spirit of Kildare
Until Monday, February 3rd, Co Kildare, spiritofbrigid.ie
Celebrate St Brigid’s legacy with a star-studded line-up of Irish talent, intimate concerts, cultural events and family activities across Kildare.
February
Festival of Youth Orchestras
February 8th, Dublin, iayo.ie
More than 470 young players from across Ireland take to the stage of the National Concert Hall to perform classical works and modern arrangements at this family-friendly event.
Dublin International Film Festival
February 20th–March 2nd, diff.ie
Eleven days of Irish and international cinema, featuring red-carpet premieres, masterclasses from Oscar-winning directors, and the best of global storytelling on the big screen.
Limerick Literary Festival
February 21st-23rd, limerickliteraryfestival.com
The festival began in 1984 as the Kate O’Brien Weekend, to celebrate the writer. The name changed in 2015 to broaden the reach of the festival, which is run by readers for readers. The main speaker at this year’s festival is the economist and Irish Times columnist David McWilliams. Look out for a Heaney in Translation event, introduced by Niall MacMonagle and featuring John McIntyre, Zoe Conway and Eleanor Methven.
Ortús Chamber Music Festival
February 27th-March 2nd, Cork, ortusfestival.ie
Venues around the city will host world-class musicians at seven intimate concerts of repertoire from Mozart to Brahms, plus world premieres. Festival highlights include a night at Blackrock Castle and a classical-trad fusion concert at Dripsey Castle.
March
Belfast Children’s Festival
March 6th-15th, youngatart.co.uk
A packed programme of international and local performances and events for children and their adults.
Finding a Voice
March 6th-9th, Co Tipperary, findingavoice.ie
Now in its eighth year, this festival celebrates music by women across eras and genres – classical, contemporary, jazz and traditional – with four days of top Irish and international performers at venues around Clonmel.
St Patrick’s Music Festival Belfast
March 14th-17th, belfasttradfest.com
The line-up includes Cara Dillon, Festival Village, McGoldrick, McCusker & Doyle, Pipe Band Extravaganza, Piaras Ó Lorcáin & Jack Warnock, and Belfast Schools’ Traditional Music Performance, as well as workshops.
St Patrick’s Festival Dublin
March 17th, stpatricksfestival.ie
The centrepiece of the national celebration of Irish arts, culture and heritage is the parade through the middle of Dublin, which takes place rain or shine, featuring pageants, marching bands from all over the world and community participants from all over Ireland. The organisers say that more than 600,000 people came to last year’s event, with almost 400,000 more watching on television.
Cork Whiskey Fest
March 21st-23rd, corkwhiskeyfest.com
More than 20 events in bars and venues on MacCurtain Street, in Cork city, including masterclasses, distillery tours and exclusive tastings.
April
New Music Dublin
April 2nd-6th, newmusicdublin.ie
Featuring performances from the National Symphony Orchestra, RTÉ Concert Orchestra, Chamber Choir Ireland, Crash Ensemble, Cór na nÓg and Cór Linn, among others, this showcase of Ireland’s vibrant new-music scene allows composers, performers and new music-makers to collaborate and develop their national and international links. The festival takes place at the National Concert Hall and other venues around the city.
Catalyst International Film Festival
April 3rd-5th, Limerick, catalystinternationalfilmfestival.com
Prioritising under-represented film-making, this festival features the premiere of Boobs, which won a Catalyst short-documentary bursary, plus workshops, panels and professional development opportunities with an emphasis on documentary storytelling. The festival’s award categories span Irish and international short film, documentary shorts, and the student short film.
Wander Wild Festival
April 4th-6th, Killarney, Co Kerry, wanderwildfestival.com
An outdoor and wellness festival for everyone who wants to embrace the great outdoors, whether an adventure enthusiast, nature lover or wellness devotee.
Cúirt International Festival of Literature
April 8th-13th, Galway, cuirt.ie
Writers from Ireland, Britain, the United States, Spain and Algeria, among other places, take part in six days of readings, discussions and performances in venues across the city.
Waterford Festival of Food
April 25th-27th, waterfordfestivaloffood.com
This celebration of food, community and creativity features more than 80 events, including tours and trails, cookery demonstrations, unique dining experiences and festival markets with more than 100 artisan stalls, as well as a full children’s schedule.
Cork International Choral Festival
April 30th-May 4th, corkchoral.ie
Gala concerts, school concerts, national and international competitions and world-class performances at this leading choral festival.
May
Bealtaine Festival
May 1st-3rd, Dublin, bealtaine.ie
The 30th Bealtaine Festival celebrates the arts and creativity as we age with three days at Project Arts Centre. This year’s theme is Lust for Life.
Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival
May 1st-11th, Belfast, cqaf.com
The popular festival, which is marking its 25th anniversary, this year features The Magic Numbers, Niamh Bury, Bernard Butler, King Creosote and Rachel Sermanni, among others.
Ballydehob Jazz Festival
May 2nd-5th, Co Cork, ballydehobjazzfestival.org
The 18th Ballydehob Jazz Festival features live shows, a free music trail of over 30 Irish and international acts, a jazz poetry slam, swing dance lessons, a late-night jazz club, a circus school for kids, the Ballydehob Jazz New Orleans Jazz Funeral Parade and more.
International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival
May 5th-18th, gaytheatre.ie
Every work at this festival – the largest of its type in the world – is by an LGBTQ+ author or has an LGBTQ+ character, theme or relevance, such as feminism, masculinity or gender identity.
West Wicklow Chamber Music Festival
May 8th-18th, westwicklowfestival.com
The international and Irish artists performing at Russborough House and other locations include the Julian Bliss septet, Sean Shibe, Voces 8, Quatuor Van Kuijk, United Strings of Europe, Irish Chamber Orchestra, and Fiachra Garvey. There’ll also be a new family-friendly festival commission.
Wellfest
May 10th-11th, Dublin, wellfest.ie
Europe’s largest outdoor health and wellness festival features more than 150 health and fitness experts across 15 areas, plus fitness classes from cardio to strength training, Pilates and yoga, as well as talks, healthy food and kids’ wellness.
Ardnaculla Summer School
May 16th-18th, Co Clare, hometree.ie
This creative community and ecology festival, promoting curiosity, learning and connection, is hosted by Hometree, a nature-restoration charity.
International Literature Festival Dublin
May 16th-25th, ilfdublin.com
Ireland’s premier literary event returns in May, celebrating the finest Irish and international writers through a vibrant mix of readings, discussions, screenings and more. Suitable for all ages, the festival brings stories alive in the beautiful setting of Merrion Square Park. The full 10-day line-up will be revealed in April.
Blackwater Valley Opera Festival
May 26th–June 2nd, Co Waterford, blackwatervalleyopera.ie
A week of opera (Benjamin Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream), classical-music recitals and concerts, schools, free events and more, based at Lismore Castle.
Forbidden Fruit
May 31st-June 1st, Dublin, forbiddenfruit.ie
The first of the summer’s big music festivals takes over the grounds of Royal Hospital Kilmainham, in Dublin.
June
Cork Carnival of Science
Dates to be confirmed, corkcity.ie
More than 50 exhibitors and live science shows, offering family-friendly experiments, interactive activities, games, street cuisine and a line-up of live entertainment, all with a science or Stem theme.
Galway Folk Festival
June 4th-8th, galwayfolkfestival.com
Five days of music, craic and conversation, featuring international and Irish names, with plenty of free pop-up shows for all ages.
Borris House Festival of Writing and Ideas
June 6th-8th, Co Carlow, festivalofwritingandideas.com
This year’s line-up of authors, journalists, film-makers and musicians includes Philippe Sands, Merlin Sheldrake, Lindsey Hilsum and Clare Wills.
When Next We Meet
June 7th-8th, Co Tipperary, whennextwemeet.ie
The grounds of Raheen House, in Clonmel, host this small festival with home-grown alternative music across three stages.
Dalkey Book Festival
June 12th-15th, Co Dublin, dalkeybookfestival.org
Writers and thinkers from across the world feature in the line-up for this literary festival at the southern tip of Dublin Bay.
Cork Midsummer Festival
June 13th-22nd, corkmidsummer.com
Theatre, music, dance, visual art, spectacle, street performances and more transform the streets of Cork.
Beyond the Pale
June 13th-15th, Co Wicklow, itsbeyondthepale.ie
Acts announced so far for this music and arts festival at Glendalough Estate include Berlioz, Jon Hopkins and Róisín Murphy.
Pipeworks International Organ and Choral Festival
June 17th-22nd, Dublin, pipeworks.ie
What began in 1980 as Dublin International Organ and Choral Festival features a diverse programme of music-making with the organ at its centre, performed in cathedrals, churches and concert halls around Dublin.
Body & Soul
June 20th-22nd, Co Westmeath, bodyandsoul.ie
Music and a lot more at this festival in the grounds of Ballinlough Castle.
TuneFest
June 20th-22nd, Co Waterford, tunefest.ie
Dungarvan’s emerging trad festival features sessions, concerts, recitals, workshops, album-launch parties and busking.
Hinterland
June 26th-29th, Co Meath, hinterland.ie
This eclectic weekend of events in the town of Kells features interviews with authors and thinkers, children’s workshops, live music and art exhibitions. Budding artists are encouraged to take part in LitCrawl, for which small venues such as cafes (and a funeral parlour) become performance spaces.
West Cork Chamber Music Festival
June 27th-July 6th, westcorkmusic.ie
Bantry’s renowned festival marks its 30th anniversary with what it bills as a stellar line-up of world-class musicians circling around a core of 10 string quartets. Young-musician masterclasses, Ireland’s only instrument exhibition and a festival fringe complement the programme.
July
Clonmel Junction Arts Festival
July 4th-13th, Co Tipperary, junctionfestival.com
The 2025 programme for this celebration of creativity, culture and community features theatre, music, visual arts, public art and immersive experiences, as well as the Vincent Hanley Summer School: A Symposium on Legacy and Innovation.
Kaleidoscope
July 4th-6th, Co Wicklow, kaleidoscopefestival.ie
Texas and The Coronas are the first headliners to be announced for this three-day family music festival in the grounds of Russborough House, in Blessington.
Cairde Sligo Arts Festival
July 5th-12th, cairdefestival.com
The festival takes over Sligo town with a range of artistic experiences. Highlights include music by Natalia Beyliss and Ríoghnach Connolly, plus large-scale spectacle from VolkiDána.
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Longitude
July 5th and 6th, Dublin, longitude.ie
Two days of music in Marlay Park – a favourite of many Irish music fans.
West Cork Literary Festival
July 11th-18th, westcorkmusic.ie
Confirmed authors for this year’s event include Alan Hollinghurst, Ruth Padel, Ferdia Lennon, Eimear McBride, Ross Raisin, Salena Godden, Seán Ronayne, Cauvery Madhavan, Colin Walsh, Sarah Moss, John Creedon and Zainab Boladale.
Earagail Arts Festival
July 12th-26th, Co Donegal, eaf.ie
Fifteen days of music, theatre, visual arts, film, literature, circus and participatory events featuring an extensive family programme, home-grown and international music talent, and more.
Belfast TradFest
July 27th-August 3rd, belfasttradfest.com
Traditional-music concerts, pub sessions and fast-growing trad summer school. Confirmed names include Dervish, Flutopia, Titanic Céilí, Chris Stout & Catríona McKay, Louise Mulcahy, Stephanie Keane, Seán Maguire Fiddle Concert, Belfast Harp Festival and With Pipe & Drum.
All Together Now
July 31st-August 3rd, Co Waterford, alltogethernow.ie
Acts already announced for the music festival at Curraghmore Estate include Fontaines DC, CMAT and Wet Leg.
August
Spraoi International Street Arts Festival
August 1st-3rd, Waterford, spraoi.com
Waterford’s streets become stages for performers from around the world. The annual Spraoi parade will be followed by a finale of fireworks launched from the river Suir.
Kilkenny Arts Festival
August 7th-17th, kilkennyarts.ie
The long-running multidisciplinary arts festival returns with Irish and world premieres; collaborations between classical, contemporary and traditional musicians and ensembles; a big new work by Peter Hanly with Rough Magic theatre company; visual arts, opera, spectacle, poetry, literature and conversation.
Cork on a Fork Fest
August 13th-17th, corkonaforkfest.ie
The city celebrates its culinary excellence with dining experiences, food events, talks, cookery demonstrations and a full children’s programme.
Chamber Music on Valentia
August 14th-17th, Co Kerry, chambermusiconvalentia.com
This 12th festival features four days of concerts and workshops by an international line-up of musicians, curated by the pianist Mary Dullea. Expect unique venues in some stunning island locations.
Ballybunion Bean Festival
August 15th-16th, Co Kerry, brilliantballybunion.com
Including a bean bake-off on the beach, this new festival promises gas craic, full of beans and other corny puns, as it explores the potential of beans as the most climate-friendly food for the future.
Masters of Tradition
August 20th-24th, Co Cork, westcorkmusic.ie
Headlined by its artistic director, the renowned fiddle player Martin Hayes, this Bantry festival aims to provide a platform that highlights the subtlety of traditional music.
Another Love Story
August 22nd-24th, Co Meath, anotherlovestory.ie
The festival returns to Killyon Manor for another intimate edition of Irish and international music.
Desmond O’Halloran Music Weekend
August 29th-31st, Co Galway, inishbofin.com
This celebration of the life and music of the Inishbofin maestro features traditional, roots and folk concerts, sessions and workshops from Bofin, Connemara and Galway musicians in the bars, cafes, halls, houses and hotels – as well as on the beaches – of the west-coast island.
Electric Picnic
August 29th-31st, Co Laois, electricpicnic.ie
More than 70,000 fans descend on Stradbally Estate for Ireland’s best-known weekend music festival.
EVA International
August 29th–October 26th, Limerick, eva.ie
The 41st festival, which takes place across the city at venues such as Limerick City Gallery of Art, Ormston House and Sadlier’s fishmongers, features It Takes a Village – an international guest programme curated by Eszter Szakács in collaboration with the EVA team – presented alongside commissions from Ireland-based artists selected by Iarlaith Ní Fheorais and Roy Claire Potter.
September
Dublin Fringe Festival
September 6th-21st, fringefest.com
The festival promises form-busting theatre, electric dance, immersive installations and party nights out.
Sounds from a Safe Harbour
September 11th-14th, Cork, soundsfromasafeharbour.com
Mary Hickson, the festival’s director, leads a curatorial team that includes the actor Cillian Murphy, the musician Bryce Dessner, of The National, the author Max Porter and the artist and folklorist Billy Mag Fhlionn. They’ll be selecting a programme of music, dance and conversation.
Clonakilty International Guitar Festival
September 18th-21st, Co Cork, clonguitarfest.com
Four days of ticketed headline shows and community events, including an extensive free session trail.
Culture Night
September 19th, nationwide, culturenight.ie
Thousands of free events in person, online and on the airwaves.
New Ross Piano Festival
September 24th-28th, Co Wexford, newrosspianofestival.com
This year’s line-up of Irish and international pianists, who’ll be performing in solo and chamber settings, includes John O’Conor, Finghin Collins (the festival’s artistic director), Magdalene Ho, Daniel Lebhardt, Danae Dörken, David Vesey, Duo Pianistico and the Castalian Quartet.
Dublin Theatre Festival
September 25th-October 12th, dublintheatrefestival.ie
Expect a bill of world-class Irish and European theatre.
Write by the Sea
September 26th-28th, Co Wexford, writebythesea.ie
Kilmore Quay’s literary festival, which turns 10 this year, features interviews, performances, talks and workshops for readers and writers alike, all set in the seaside village.
Tipperary Dance Festival
September 30th-October 10th, tipperarydance.com
The 16th edition of this boutique festival features international and Irish dancers and choreographers, new Irish works, and community involvement in a diverse line-up that aims to combine artistic excellence with a socially meaningful programme of events.
October
Music in Monkstown
October 3rd-5th, Co Dublin, musicinmonkstown.ie
The classical-music festival returns to Monkstown Parish Church for a programme that includes the clarinettist John Finucane, the pianist Finghin Collins and the violinist Gwendolyn Masin. There’ll also be some post-concert jazz, as well as an afternoon concert by the vocal group 4inaBar.
Space Week Ireland
October 4th-10th, nationwide, spaceweek.ie
Space-themed workshops, lectures and exhibitions around Ireland, as well as Space Week TV content on YouTube.
Secret Song
October 5th-6th, Co Cork, leviscornerhouse.com
The live-music and spoken-word festival returns to Levis Corner House in Ballydehob to celebrate all of the artists who’ve performed at the venue through the year. On the first day the audience moves from room to room, and into the garden, to see who’s playing in each. The next day there’s a junior version that’s open to local schools and community groups.
Dromineer Nenagh Literary Festival
October 9th-12th, Co Tipperary, dnlf.ie
The 22nd festival celebrates Irish and international writers at seven venues in the towns of Nenagh and Dromineer; events include the annual Lough Derg cruise.
Hidden Hearth
October 10th-12th, Co Carlow, hiddenhearthfestival.ie
This wellness festival at Lisnavagh House, in Rathvilly, bills itself as celebrating community, connection, creativity and empowerment as the darker winter months approach.
Common Threads
October 11th and 12th, Co Clare, commonthreads.events
Music and art across the Burren.
Open House Dublin Festival of Architecture
October 11th-19th, openhousedublin.com
More than 200 free tours, talks and activities for all ages allow you to explore the architecture of Dublin city and county. Highlights include a junior weekend, Open Table conversations and a focus on future heritage. Presented by the Irish Architecture Foundation.
Wexford Festival Opera
October 17th-November 1st, wexfordopera.com
The 2025 event’s three main-stage operas are Le Trouvère, by Verdi; Deidamia, by Handel; and The Magic Fountain, by Delius. There’ll also be a Wexford Factory staging of Il Viaggio a Reims, by Rossini, to mark the opera’s 200th anniversary, as well as Pocket Operas, Urban Legends and a new commission by Colm Tóibín and Andrew Synnott.
Guinness Cork Jazz Festival
October 23rd-27th, guinnesscorkjazz.com
Ireland’s biggest and longest-established jazz festival promises a stellar line-up of Irish and international musicians as well as emerging artists, plus pop-up events, late-night parties, boat trips, unique collaborations, and brass bands parading through the city.
Bram Stoker Festival
October 24th-27th, Dublin, bramstokerfestival.com
A celebration of the supernatural and the legacy of the Dracula author in the city where he was born.
November
Leaves Festival of Writing and Music
November 5th-8th, Co Laois, leavesfestival.ie
This festival champions writing and music in Co Laois, using venues in Portlaoise and Abbeyleix. Events include the One County One Book author visiting libraries, schools and Portlaoise Prison.
Cork International Film Festival
November 6th-16th, corkfilmfest.org
Ireland’s longest-running film festival – this is its 70th edition – promises a programme of the latest and best Irish and international films, as well as special events, at venues in Cork city and county.
West Wicklow Chamber Music Festival
November 14th-16th, westwicklowfestival.com
The festival’s annual Winter Weekend programme returns for three days of chamber music.
