Spring to Life
Wicklow | 22nd - 24th May, 2026

Beyond the Trees Avondale continues its Spring to Life Festival this weekend, with families invited to enjoy alpaca visits alongside the scenic Treetop Walk experience in the heart of the Wicklow forest. Visitors can explore the elevated walkway, take in the spring scenery and meet alpacas across the weekend, making it a relaxed family-friendly day out with plenty of outdoor space to enjoy.

Howth Maritime Festival & Howth Maritme by Night
Howth | 22nd - 24th May, 2026

The Howth Maritime & Seafood Festival returns with a weekend of seafood, live music and family-friendly entertainment along the harbour. Families can enjoy free attractions, sea-themed activities, food stalls and live performances throughout the village, with plenty happening across the waterfront during the day.

The weekend also includes Howth Maritime By Night, a new evening music programme taking place across venues around the peninsula. Highlights include live performances from Luka Bloom, Kíla and The Wran, alongside free gigs in pubs and venues throughout Howth. A Viking parade and battle reenactment also takes place on Friday evening, adding to the festival atmosphere across the weekend.

Grace O'Malley Festival
Mayo | 22nd - 24th May, 2026

The first Grace O’Malley Festival takes place on Achill Island this May, celebrating Ireland’s legendary Pirate Queen with a weekend of circus performances, storytelling, live music and family activities. Inspired by the life of Gráinne Mhaol, the festival combines heritage, performance and outdoor spectacle across free and ticketed events.

Families can enjoy pirate-themed workshops, clown performances, giant sand art, storytelling sessions and Circus250’s outdoor aerial show Grace: The Story of a Pirate Queen, alongside live music, interactive activities and performances taking place throughout the weekend.

Dogitude
Meath | 23rd - 24th May, 2026

Dogitude returns to Causey Farm this May for a two-day festival celebrating dogs, outdoor life and family fun in the heart of the Boyne Valley. Families can enjoy the Irish Agility Championships, sheepdog trials, gundog competitions and a range of interactive activities including hay bale racing, dock diving and Dogitude’s Got Talent.

The weekend also includes live music at the Woofstock stage, food stalls, a large exhibitor village and a parade of native Irish dog breeds, with plenty of space for dogs and owners to explore across the farm grounds.

International Literature Festival of Dublin
Dublin | Until 24th May, 2026

The International Literature Festival Dublin continues across Merrion Square Park this weekend, with a packed family programme featuring storytelling, workshops, live performances and creative events for children and young readers.

Families can enjoy draw-alongs, comic-making sessions and interactive storytelling with authors and illustrators including Derek Landy, Sarah Bowie, Harriet Muncaster, Philip Ardagh, Aoife Dooley, Sheena Dempsey and Robin Stevens. Younger children can also take part in toddler storytelling sessions, rhyme and sign workshops, myth-inspired adventures and hands-on art activities throughout the festival village.

Weekend highlights include fantasy and folklore events with Alex Dunne and Laura Keohane, a giant creature-making workshop with Mexican artist Jimena Larraguivel, comedy and storytelling sessions with Derek Landy and family workshops inspired by books, myths and imagination. Alongside the children’s programme, the festival also features talks, performances, walking tours, yoga sessions and live events taking place across the park throughout the weekend.

National Biodiversity Week
Ireland | Until 24th May, 2026

National Biodiversity Week continues across Ireland this weekend with a wide range of free family-friendly events, nature walks and hands-on outdoor activities taking place in parks, forests, museums and nature reserves around the country.

Families can join bug hunts in Dublin and Clonmel, pond dipping sessions in Tipperary, butterfly walks in Kildare, woodland walks in Waterford and biodiversity treasure hunts in parks and nature spaces. Other highlights include Family Drop-In sessions at the Dead Zoo Lab in Collins Barracks, forest school activities in Cloughjordan, teddy bear picnics in Portlaoise and family art and nature workshops in Kilkenny, Blanchardstown and Longford.

There are also guided walks in locations including the Hill of Tara, Glendalough, Tramore Valley Park and the Hill of Uisneach, alongside whale watch events in Dublin and Cork, biodiversity cycle tours, bird walks and outdoor talks taking place throughout the weekend.