Events on in Ireland this summer | 2025

Cairde Arts Festival
Sligo | 5th-25th, July

Cairde Sligo Arts Festival brings the town to life with music, theatre, dance, circus and visual art. It’s a celebration of creativity that welcomes everyone, with a strong community feel at its heart. Families can enjoy outdoor performances, hands-on workshops and pop-up events in spaces across Sligo. It’s a week full of energy, colour and shared moments on the Wild Atlantic Way.

Kilmore Quay Seafood Festival
Wexford | 10th-13th, July

The Kilmore Quay Seafood Festival celebrates 40 years of food, fun and family by the sea. Set in the heart of a working fishing village, it’s a summer weekend filled with seafood, music, dance and community spirit. With cooking demos, children’s activities and live entertainment, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in this scenic corner of Wexford.

Earagail Arts Festival
Donegal | 12th-26th, July

Earagail Arts Festival brings world-class music, circus, theatre, dance and more to villages, beaches, streets and venues across Donegal. It’s a two-week celebration filled with energy, creativity and connection.

Family highlights include the lively Party in the Park, pop-up street performances, colourful circus shows in Castlefinn and Gaoth Dobhair and hands-on arts workshops for all ages. Whether you’re watching a puppet show or joining a circus camp, there’s plenty for young festivalgoers to enjoy.

Galway International Arts Festival
Galway | 14th-27th, July

Galway’s summer showstopper returns from 15–28 July, as the Galway International Arts Festival fills the city with theatre, music, street spectacle and fun. Families can expect free pop-up performances, visual art trails and the buzzing Festival Garden on Eyre Square. Whether you’re catching a show or just soaking up the atmosphere, GIAF 2025 is not to be missed.

Summer Sing Children's Festival
Cork | 14th-18th, July

SummerSING! is Cork’s only arts festival created especially for children aged 5 to 15. Set in a culturally significant venue in the city, it offers a week-long creative adventure where young voices take centre stage.

Led by Creative Director Robbie Pender and a team of professionals, children will dive into workshops, performances and collaborative projects that culminate in a unique multidisciplinary show. They’ll even record their own musical piece in a professional session - a lasting memory of their creative journey.

It’s more than a camp - it's a week of creative learning, music and collaboration.

Boyle Arts Festival
Roscommon | 17th - 26th, July

The Boyle Arts Festival returns to Roscommon with ten days of music, theatre, art and family fun. The popular opening parade sets the tone for a packed schedule including live performances by The Fureys, Irish Tenors, Kevin Barry and more. There’s lots for families too — with children’s workshops, interactive shows, science-themed fun and music in the open air. With events across King House, St Joseph’s Hall and beyond, it’s the perfect summer excuse to explore Boyle.

Sligo Agricultural Show
Sligo | 19th, July

The Sligo County Agricultural Show returns to Riverstown on Saturday 19th July, with another celebration of rural life and community spirit in the heart of County Sligo.

More details to follow

Rose Festival
Dublin | 19th & 20th, July

The Dublin Rose Festival returns to the scenic surroundings of St Anne’s Park in Raheny for a weekend of family fun. Expect live music, dancing, food vendors, arts and crafts and a wide range of children’s activities. Highlights include the Silly Billies soft play area, Reuben the Entertainer, a mobile planetarium and the Dublin City Library bus. With flower displays, stalls and plenty to explore, it’s a great free day out for all ages.

Brick Féile
Meath | 19th & 20th, July

Brick Féile returns with a celebration of all things LEGO®, showcasing incredible custom creations from brick.ie, including intricate models, a mesmerising great ball contraption and collaborative art projects.

Ireland’s largest brick pits will be in action, with a super-sized Duplo® area for younger builders and the popular big-build returning with a brand new secret design. Visitors can also take part in a unique Fairy Bricks mosaic challenge or get creative with the atrium’s free-build art wall.

Taking place at CityNorth Hotel, the event supports Fairy Bricks, a charity that delivers LEGO® sets to children in hospitals. With specialist retailers, engraving services, food, drink and free parking, it’s a great day out for LEGO® fans of all ages.

Barretstown Big Picnic
Kidare | 20th, July

The Barretstown Big Picnic returns with a fun-filled day of activities including canoeing, archery, mini golf, face painting, dancing and more. Fossett’s Circus will also perform three live shows. The event supports Barretstown’s work providing free, medically supported camps for children and families affected by serious illness. All costs are covered through public donations and fundraising.

Mary From Dungloe International Festival
Donegal | 26th July - 4th, August

The Mary From Dungloe International Arts Festival returns to with ten days of music, community events and family fun. A firm favourite in the summer calendar, the festival includes street entertainment, arts, sport and live music, plus the crowning of the new Mary From Dungloe. Highlights include Country Sunday on 27th July, featuring Daniel O’Donnell and friends live in the festival marquee. A brilliant day out for all ages in the heart of Dungloe.

Kilmihil Festival of Fun
Clare | 1st - 4th, August

Kilmihil Festival of Fun returns this August Bank Holiday with four days of music, sport and family entertainment. Prepare for Family Day on Saturday, fireworks on Sunday and the Monster Field Day on Monday, packed with bouncy castles, dragon shows, parades and more. A brilliant weekend for kids and grown-ups alike.

Birr Vintage Week & Arts Festival
Offaly | 1st - 9th, August

Birr Vintage Week & Arts Festival takes over the town again with a mix of art, theatre, live music and family fun. There is an action-packed Family Day on Saturday 2nd August at Birr Rugby Club, with tag rugby, games, a BBQ and the return of the Great Ruckin Duck Race. The week also includes exhibitions, workshops and a big Fireworks Night on 7th August.

Spraoi Waterford
Waterford | 1st - 3rd, August

Waterford bursts into life over the August Bank Holiday as the Spraoi International Street Arts Festival returns. Now in its 35th year, Spraoi brings world-class street performers to the city for a weekend of colour, creativity and celebration.

The famous Spraoi Parade takes place on Sunday night, with spectacular floats, music, costumes and a dazzling fireworks finale lighting up the city streets. A magical weekend for families and festival-goers alike.

Bray Air Show
Wicklow | 2nd, August

Bray Air Display is back with a full afternoon of flying displays, starting from 3pm. There’ll be family fun from noon, including a funfair, food stalls, military displays and helicopter rides. Free to attend, but parking must be pre-booked online in advance.

Stradbally Steam Rally
Laois | 3rd & 4th, August

The National Steam Rally in Stradbally returns this August Bank Holiday weekend, celebrating over sixty years of Ireland’s steam engine heritage. Held on the scenic grounds of the Cosby Estate, the event is one of the most popular in the steam and vintage calendar.

Visitors can enjoy live displays of working steam engines and vintage machinery, along with music, dancing, trade stalls and a funfair. With its central location just behind Main Street, the rally is easy to reach and always draws a great crowd for a relaxed, family-friendly day out.

Heart of the Glens Festival
Antrim | 3rd-10th, August

The Heart of the Glens Festival returns to Cushendall from 2–10 August 2025 with over 80 events celebrating local culture and community spirit. Highlights include music, family fun and the iconic Lurig Challenge Run on 9 August, where runners take on a thrilling mountain race with stunning views. One of Northern Ireland’s largest community festivals, it’s a week packed with tradition, excitement and a warm Glens welcome.

Donabate Portrane Summer Festival
Dublin | 8th-10th, August

The Donabate & Portrane Summer Festival is back from 8th to 10th August with three days of fun by the sea on Portrane Green. Expect sunset concerts, a funfair, food trucks, fireworks and plenty of family-friendly entertainment.

Puck Fair
Kerry | 10th-12th, August

Puck Fair returns to Killorglin from 10–12 August 2025, bringing three days of tradition, music and free family fun to the heart of Kerry. One of Ireland’s oldest festivals, it features 12 hours of daily street entertainment including live music, theatre, comedy and more. Each evening ends with lively performances and the fair closes with a spectacular fireworks display at midnight on the 12th.

Kilkenny Arts Festival
Kilkenny | 10th-17th, August

Kilkenny Arts Festival takes over the city from 8–17 August 2025, with ten days of world-class music, theatre, poetry, street performances and visual art in some of Ireland’s most historic settings. From intimate concerts and garden gigs to major stage productions and free family events, the festival offers something for everyone across the medieval city.

Belmullet Festival
Mayo | 10th-17th, August

Belmullet Festival returns this August with a packed week of music, heritage and community fun in the heart of Erris. The festival brings live music, crafts, traditional displays and vibrant street celebrations to Belmullet town, with favourites like the street carnival and fireworks expected to return, along with Heritage Day on the 11th and Lá an Logha Fair on Friday 15th.

The Big Grill Festival
Dublin | 14th-17th, August

The Big Grill, Europe’s biggest BBQ and food festival, returns to Herbert Park this August for four days of fire, flavour and fun. Top chefs, pitmasters and restaurants from Ireland and beyond will serve up exclusive live-fire dishes alongside craft beer, cocktails and sweet treats. Expect demos, tastings, DJs and family fun in the Little Grillers area – a great day out for food lovers.

Rose of Tralee Festival
Kerry | 15th-19th, August

The Rose of Tralee returns this August for five days of parades, music, family fun and the world-famous Rose Selection nights. Now in its 66th year, the festival welcomes Roses from around the globe to Tralee for a celebration of Irish heritage and community spirit. Expect street entertainment, markets, live concerts, carnival rides and fireworks, all set in the heart of Tralee. One of Ireland’s biggest festivals, it draws over 100,000 visitors every year.

National Heritage Week
Ireland | 16th-24th, August

National Heritage Week returns with events across the country celebrating Ireland’s natural, built and cultural heritage. This year’s theme, Exploring Our Foundations, looks at the people, places and traditions that have shaped communities throughout Ireland. Organised by the Heritage Council, the week includes guided walks, workshops, talks and exhibitions. Events are led by local groups, volunteers and organisations, with many free to attend.

Tullow Show
Carlow | 17th, August

One of the country’s longest-running shows, the Tullow Agricultural Show returns this August for a packed day of competitions, food, music and fun at the Coppenagh showgrounds. Expect livestock, equestrian and craft classes, alongside cookery demos, vintage machinery, trade stands and plenty for children to enjoy.

Moynalty Steam Threshing
Meath | 20th, August

Moynalty comes alive this August with the 50th Moynalty Steam Threshing Festival. The day offers a packed programme of vintage displays, traditional crafts and live music, including a headline set from Derek Ryan. Visitors can explore working demonstrations of steam threshing, horse-drawn machinery, road making from over a century ago and much more.

There’ll be food stalls, amusements for children and the popular Queen of Steam competition. A real celebration of rural Irish heritage and a brilliant day out for all ages.

Ould Lammas Fair
Antrim | 23rd-26th, August

Ireland’s oldest fair returns to Ballycastle for two lively days of trading, fun and tradition. Held on the last Monday and Tuesday of August, the streets fill with market stalls, music, horse trading and family entertainment. Visitors can enjoy local treats like Yellow Man and Dulce, explore the artisan market and soak up the atmosphere in this vibrant seaside town.

Dublin Maker
Dublin | 30th & 31st, August

Dublin Maker returns for another free, family-friendly celebration of creativity and invention at Leopardstown Racecourse. Expect an outdoor carnival atmosphere with hands-on displays in science, tech, crafts and engineering, all run by makers from across the country. From robots to recycled art, it’s a brilliant showcase of curiosity, creativity and problem-solving for all ages.

Oughterard Show
Galway | 31st, August

Now in its 60th year, the Oughterard Show returns on Sunday 31st August with a full day of competitions, displays and family fun at Corribdale Grounds and the Community Centre. Expect classes for horses, ponies, cattle, sheep, dogs and poultry, along with a strong domestic arts section. There’ll be children’s entertainment throughout the day and plenty of prizes up for grabs.