Kaleidoscope is billed as Ireland’s most family-friendly, fully inclusive festival of the summer and runs this weekend from Friday, July 4th, , to Sunday, July 6th, in the grounds of Russborough House, Blessington, Co Wicklow. The organisers expect thousands of families for three days and nights, the week after the final school bells rang for summer holidays.
How do I get there?
Russborough House and Park in Blessington, Co Wicklow, is located just off the N81, about 30 minutes from Dublin. The Eircode is W91 W284, and GPS co-ordinates are: 53.1417N, 6.5695W.
Cars, caravans and campervans should follow the festival traffic signs, and directions of stewards and gardaí. There is no right or left turn allowed off the N81 at the L3863 towards Russborough House.
From Dublin/M50/N81 route: Drive through Blessington town on the N81 and turn right at the Burgage roundabout, then left on to the Kilmalum road. Continue on the L6052 until the L3863, turn left and be directed into the car parks via Gate 1.
RM Block
From Naas/M7/M9/M7/M9 route: Take the south Naas exit from the M7 junction 10), take the Naas ring road as far as the R411 roundabout and join the R411 and through to Ballymore Eustace. Follow the L6056 and enter the festival site via Gate 1.
From Carlow/N81 northbound route: All festival traffic heading northbound on the N81 will be directed to Ballymore Eustace. Follow the L6056 and enter the festival site at Gate 1.
What’s on?
There will be hundreds of family activities, shows and surprises alongside headliners featuring global and Irish music stars Ocean Colour Scene, Texas and the Coronas. . The line-up also features The Riptide Movement, Allie Sherlock, Simple Things and Hermitage Green.
You’ll also find a bubble show, an array of cooking, circus and acting displays, baby sensory events, children’s author talks, the national reptile zoo and robotics experts.
Tickets
Tickets are still available at kaleidoscopefestival.ie and Ticketmaster, with an adult weekend pass for €115 plus booking fee and a child weekend pass for €87.55. There are also day tickets, with children’s from €39.40 and adult’s from €56.25 plus booking fee. Babies go free, but must be booked.
Take note that ID is required for all ticket holders, regardless of age.
Security is family-friendly, with the main concern that parents and children don’t get separated. Children get a paper wristband on which their parent’s number can be written. Organisers encourage parents to choose a memorable meeting point on site.
Times
Car parks are beside the campsites, which fill up quickly, so walking distance from car to tent can vary. Driving is not permitted on the camping fields and trolleys/buggies are permitted to help move belongings.
Camping equipment and cooking
Barbecues and hot coals/ash must be disposed of in metal bins, and not plastic bins, in the campsite cooking area. Barbecues can only be used in the designated campsite cooking area. No gas barbecues are allowed and no barbecues can be used in the main tent camping space.
Caravans and campervans can use awnings, but be mindful not to interfere with the space of fellow campers.
There are communal charging points at the site but no electric hookups.
All camping gear, equipment and vehicles are to be cleared from the site by noon on Monday, July 7th. The festival asks visitors to leave no trace, to help protect and maintain the area.
At the Babazone campsite, there are facilities to heat up and sterilise baby bottles.
Food and drink
Festivalgoers can bring their own food, soft drinks and water, but no glass is allowed. Bring reusable and refillable water bottles for all the family – there are plenty of free drinking water points.
Organisers ask you not to bring your own alcohol beyond your tent. Day-ticket holders cannot bring their own alcohol. Alcohol purchased at Kaleidoscope can be consumed anywhere on site. There will be searches between the campsites and main arena and any alcohol found will be confiscated and disposed.
Payment
Kaleidoscope has partnered with AIB to bring AIB Tappy to the festival. Everyone’s wristband will include a RDIF chip that can be topped up via your phone, on the festival website and via the QR code on the wristband, or at one of the AIB Tappy kiosks using cash or card. Festivalgoers can pay for food, drinks, merchandise, funfair rides and activities via AIB Tappy.
Inclusivity
All Abilities Ireland are working with the festival on its accessibility programme. There are accessible campsites with plenty of room for those with all abilities and needs, wheelchair-accessible toilets in the accessible campsite and accessible showers in the shower block beside the campsite. Accessible car parking is near the campsite. The main stage and Zozimus stage both have accessible viewing platforms.
The All Abilities Sensory Tent is open Saturday and Sunday, 10am-5pm. It’s a fun and calming space to get a break from the buzz of the festival. Throughout the day the team will offer audiovisual, tactile and messy play activities to entice all the senses. The All Abilities Sensory Tent is located in the east courtyard of Russborough House, on the way to the arena.
