A roundup of some of the best and most exciting events taking place around Ireland this January.
It may be one of the bleakest months of the year, but that doesn’t mean you can’t fill with experiences, activities, culture, and pockets of joy. There is plenty to go at around Ireland this January, here is a roundup of some of the events taking place up and down the country that you might want to add to your diary.
TradFest
TradFest 2026, Ireland’s largest festival of traditional and folk music has officially launched this month. Taking place over 5 days from the 21-25 of January, there are over 160 gigs and events across Dublin City, Fingal, South Dublin and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown. The festival is a joyful celebration of both music and culture, showcasing both world-renowned artists and exciting new voices. You can catch gigs in Venues from cathedrals to heritage buildings and pubs across Dublin. As for names to look out for, you can expect the likes of Stephen Rea, Peggy Seeger, Sharon Shannon and more on this year’s line up. Check out the full list and venues here.
‘The Big Paws’ Remembrance Walk
Dog lovers up and down the country are invited to take part in Dog Trust Ireland’s annual ‘The Big Paws’ Remembrance Walk on January 31st. The event is to to honour the dogs in our lives, both past and present and raise vital funds for Dogs Trust. The walk will give dog owners past and present an opportunity to honour and celebrate the incredible bond they had with their dog. To talk part, you can register here and receive the special remembrance pack.
The Abbey Theatre
While there’s plenty to see in the cinema at the minute, there’s also a lot happening on stage too. Why not head to Dublin’s Abbey Theatre for a night of culture and entertainment. One show particularly worth catching at the moment is Dublin Gothic, a witty and warm show, celebrating the glory and grime of Dublin. Check it out and other shows here.
The Dry January Festival
Dry January Festival 2026 is a month-long festival taking place all over Dublin with over 100 events from 1-31 of January. Powered by Alternative Dublin, the event is encouraging people to meet up and hang out without the presence of alcohol. Events like painting, crafting, hiking and more are a way to bring people together in a setting other than the pub. To check out the full list of events, head here.
Showcase Ireland
If you or someone you know works in the trade industry, step into a world of creativity and craftsmanship at the RDS Dublin from 18-20 of January as the Showcase Ireland event takes place. Discover new and well-loved Irish products and the people who make them as some of Ireland’s most incredible brands will be under one roof. We attended last year’s event and were blown away by the creativity and talent on show. Standout products and talented makers across Home & Gift, Fashion, Jewellery and Wellness will be available to view. For more information on the event and to register check out Showcase Ireland.
National Literary Series
A major national literary series will open in Meath on January 20 at 7pm as Laureate for Irish Fiction Éilís Ní Dhuibhne hosts an in-conversation event at the Trim Library & Swift Cultural Centre. This event will mark the first stop on the Island of Imagination: A Literary Tour of Ireland, Attendees of the session can expect a showcase of Irish writing and the work emerging from every county. The event is free to attend with advance booking required through the Arts Council’s events page.
Midwinter Festival
If you’re Galway based, the Music for Galway’s Midwinter festival is a gorgeous way to spend an evening. Running from 23-25 January, the festival will bring the magic of a string quartet to life at the Town Hall Theatre. This year, the versatility of the string quartet will be celebrated with a clarinettist, soprano, pianist, uilleann piper added to the show, creating an unforgettable moment for all those in attendance. To buy tickets, head here.
Kinsale Beatles Festival
Calling all Cork-based Beatles fans. The Kinsale Beatles Festival is taking place from 30 January – 1 February 2026. Hosted by Tom Dunne, the line up includes Mark Lewisohn, Ray Connolly, Kenneth Womack and a host of other authors, academics and podcasters celebrating the Fab Four through music, conversation, pub quizzes and more. Combined with some of the best musical acts from Ireland and Europe, The Kinsale Beatles Festival is a must for Beatles fans. Find tickets here.
