Ireland’s 2026 Festival Season Is Stacked - Here’s What You Need to Know
Festival News | April, 2026
If 2025 felt busy, 2026 is absolutely packed. From intimate trad sessions to full-blown electronic blowouts, Ireland’s festival calendar is looking seriously stacked this year. Whether you’re chasing jazz in a cosy pub or losing yourself in a field at 3am, there’s something for every kind of music head. Here’s your essential guide to the festivals worth planning your year around.
City of Derry Jazz Festival
Dates: May 1–4, 2026
Location: Derry
Taking over the May bank holiday weekend, this festival blends global jazz stars with Irish favourites. Headliners are expected to include Imelda May, Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, and leading European jazz groups.
Birr Festival of Music
April 30 – May 4, 2026
Location: Birr, County Offaly
A classical highlight with orchestras, chamber groups, and competitions. Expect performances from RTÉ Concert Orchestra members and rising Irish classical stars.
Cork International Choral Festival
April 29 – May 3, 2026
Location: Cork City
A world-class choral gathering with headline gala concerts featuring Chamber Choir Ireland and international award-winning vocal ensembles.
Kilkenny Roots Festival
May 1–4, 2026
Location: Kilkenny
A go-to for Americana and folk fans, with headliners like The Waterboys, Mary Gauthier, and Irish favourites such as Mundy.
Ballydehob Jazz Festival
May 1–4, 2026
Location: Ballydehob, West Cork
A cult favourite packed with street performances and eclectic jazz acts, including experimental collectives and European jazz artists.
Bray Jazz Festival
May 2–4, 2026
Location: Bray, County Wicklow
A seaside jazz party with major acts like Brian Deady, UK funk bands, and international jazz-fusion artists.
Féile na Bealtaine
May 1–10, 2026
Location: Dingle Peninsula, Kerry
A celebration of Irish culture featuring headline performances from trad legends like Altan, plus poetry, theatre, and storytelling events.
The Greenfields Festival
June 5–7, 2026
Location: TBC (Midlands)
A boutique-style festival mixing indie and electronic acts. Expect headline appearances from rising Irish indie bands and European DJs.
Momentum Festival
June 6, 2026
Location: Dublin
A one-day electronic event featuring headline DJs like Bicep, Overmono, and a strong lineup of underground techno artists.
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Glanfest
June 12–14, 2026
Location: County Limerick
A community-driven weekend with local Irish acts, tribute bands, and family-friendly live music stages.
Cobh Trad Fest
June 19–21, 2026
Location: Cobh, County Cork
A vibrant trad festival featuring headline acts like Sharon Shannon, Dervish, and top emerging Irish folk musicians.
Blackwater Valley Opera Festival
May 26 – June 1, 2026
Location: Cork & Waterford
Opera in stunning venues, with headline productions featuring internationally renowned opera singers and orchestras.
Forbidden Fruit Festival
May 30–31, 2026
Location: Dublin
A staple of the June bank holiday, with major headliners expected to include Fred again.., Peggy Gou, and top indie-electronic crossover acts.
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Cowboys & Heroes Festival
June 5–7, 2026
Location: Leitrim
Ireland’s biggest country music gathering, featuring headline stars from Nashville alongside Irish country favourites like Derek Ryan.
Galway Folk Festival
June 10–14, 2026
Location: Galway City
A growing folk festival with headliners like Lisa Hannigan, international acoustic acts, and traditional Irish performers.
Beyond The Pale
June 12–14, 2026
Location: Wicklow
A multi-genre festival with big indie and electronic acts. Expect headliners such as Bonobo, Caribou, and strong Irish representation.
TuneFest Dungarvan
June 18–21, 2026
Location: Dungarvan, Waterford
A platform for independent Irish artists, with a mix of emerging bands and established names across multiple small venues.
West Cork Chamber Music Festival
June 26 – July 5, 2026
Location: Bantry, West Cork
World-class chamber musicians take over Bantry House, featuring leading international quartets and soloists.
Body & Soul
June 19–21, 2026
Location: Ballinlough Castle, Westmeath
An immersive boutique festival with eclectic headliners like Jon Hopkins, Roísín Murphy, and experimental live acts.
Stendhal Festival
July 3–5, 2026
Location: Limavady, County Derry
A multi-genre festival with headliners like Two Door Cinema Club, alongside comedy and arts programming.
Longitude
July 4–5, 2026
Location: Marlay Park, Dublin
A major urban festival with huge acts—expect names like Travis Scott, Doja Cat, and top global hip-hop artists.
Forest Fest
July 24–26, 2026
Location: Emo, County Laois
A fast-growing rock and indie festival, featuring headliners like Snow Patrol, The Coronas, and UK indie favourites.
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All Together Now
July 30 – August 2, 2026
Location: Curraghmore Estate, Waterford
One of Ireland’s biggest festivals, with massive headliners expected such as Arctic Monkeys, Fontaines D.C., and a wide mix of genres across multiple stages.
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Final Word
2026 is not the year to sit at home. Whether you’re chasing trad in a harbour town or dancing in a packed field at sunset, Ireland’s festival calendar is overflowing with options.
Get your tickets early, sort your crew, and maybe invest in decent wellies—because if Irish festivals guarantee anything, it’s unforgettable music (and unpredictable weather).
