TULCA 2026: Veruca Salt Brings Punk Spirit to Galway This November
Galway is getting a dose of punk attitude this November as TULCA Festival of Visual Arts returns for its 24th edition. Running from 6–22 November 2026, this year's festival, titled Veruca Salt, is curated by Sinéad Keogh and brings together art, music, film and performance for a celebration of rebellion, individuality and doing things your own way.
Punk Isn't Dead at TULCA 2026
Marking 50 years since punk first shook up the cultural scene, Veruca Salt looks beyond the music and fashion to explore what punk actually stands for today. It's about challenging expectations, questioning authority and refusing to fit into someone else's idea of who you should be. That DIY spirit runs through the festival, with women-led and alternative voices taking centre stage.
Five Galway Galleries, One Punk Attitude
The festival takes over five venues across Galway, including TULCA Gallery, An Post Gallery, Galway Arts Centre, 126 Artist-Run Gallery and Galway City Museum. Visitors can expect everything from contemporary installations and archive material to photography, film and experimental work, with artists including Vivienne Dick, Guggi, Breda Lynch, Rachel Garfield and Del LaGrace Volcano among those featured.
There's plenty more going on beneath the surface too. The programme explores identity, gender, sexuality, disability and personal freedom, connecting the original punk movement with the issues people are still facing today. Community groups including AkiDwA, Domestic Violence Response Galway and Galway Traveller Movement are also involved, bringing local voices and real-life experiences into the mix.
Live Punk Music, Film and Performance
It's not all about gallery walls. One of the big highlights is Women-Led Punk Night at Róisín Dubh on 10 November, featuring 50 Foot Woman, Ria Rua and Molly Vulpyne and her band. Film fans can catch Pratibha Parmar's A Place of Rage at EYE Cinema, while performances, artist talks, workshops and readings add to the festival's packed programme.
TULCA 2026 Opening Night in Galway
The festival officially kicks off on Friday 6 November, with an opening event at An Post Gallery on William Street from 7–9pm. Alongside the launch of the festival publication, Sara R Phillips will give a live reading of Incident in Another Time. Afterwards, the celebrations move to Electric Galway from 9pm, with DJs Phil RetroSpector and Core Minimal keeping things going.
All five exhibition galleries open to the public on Saturday 7 November, with exhibitions running until 22 November. Whether you're into contemporary art, punk music or just looking for something a little different to do in Galway, there's plenty to explore across the festival's two-and-a-bit weeks.
Final Verdict
ULCA 2026: Veruca Salt looks set to bring some welcome noise, attitude and alternative thinking to Galway this November. With a mix of established artists, emerging talent, live music and community projects, it's a festival that doesn't take the conventional route. And that's exactly the point. If you like your art with a bit of edge, this one's worth checking out.
Dates: 6–22 November 2026
Location: Various venues across Galway
Festival: TULCA Festival of Visual Arts
Curator: Sinéad Keogh
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