Going out: something for the weekend

Wexford Fringe offers eclectic mix of cabaret, comedy, circus, dance, film and visual arts

An Asian elephant calf makes his first outdoor appearance at Dublin Zoo in July. Photograph: Eric Luke
An Asian elephant calf makes his first outdoor appearance at Dublin Zoo in July. Photograph: Eric Luke

Wexford Fringe Festival 2014

Starting in the run-up to the opera festival, the Wexford Fringe offers an eclectic mix of events including cabaret, comedy, circus, dance, film and visual arts. Beginning *today [Friday]*, the festival goes until November 2 nd. Highlights this weekend include wild food foraging at the Jamestown Nature Reserve and a ghost tour. Many of the events are free.

wexfordartscentre.ie

Imagine Arts Festival

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This celebration of the arts in Waterford City kicks off this weekend and runs until October 26th. The John Dwyer Trad weekend starts *today [Friday] *and features a session trail around the city. The festival has something for everyone with dance, film, visual art, theatre, spoken word and children's events.

Imagineartsfestival. com

Open House Dublin

Dublin buildings old and new will be open to the public this weekend. Explore Dublin’s rich architecture at over 100 tours and events organised by the Irish Architecture Foundation. A 350-year-old building believed to be Dublin’s oldest house will be open for tours. All events are free.

openhousedublin.com

Connemara Sea Week 2014

President Michael D Higgins will officially open the 30th Connemara Sea Week festival, which kicks of in Letterfrack, Galway *today [FRIDAY]. *The festival celebrates Connemara's marine heritage, and there will be workshops, an art exhibition, a mini boat regatta, kite flying, a book fair and music sessions.

Cecc.org

Dublin Animation Film Festival

This festival showcases Irish and international animated films *today [Friday] and tomorrow [Saturday]*. Screenings take place at the Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology and the Pavilion Theatre, Dun Laoghaire. On Saturday, there will be a screening of Bill Plympton’s feature film *Cheatin’*, followed by a discussion with Plympton. The festival ends with an awards ceremony on Saturday night at the Pavilion.

www.dublinanimationfilmfestival.com

Elephant Extravaganza

It’s elephant month at Dublin Zoo, and there is a family fun day and elephant extravaganza trail *tomorrow [Saturday] and Sunday* in Dublin city centre. The calendar of events celebrates the three new Asian elephant calves at the zoo. Families can join a treasure hunt and search for six Asian elephants hiding in Dublin city entre. The trail ends, and the family fun day begins, at Barnardos Square.