Take a look at these brilliant events taking place around Ireland this year and mark them into your calendar today
30 April – 4 May: Cork International Choral Festival, Cork
As one of Europe’s premier international choral festivals, Cork International Choral Festival is noted for its high standards, eclectic and wide-ranging programme, and the friendliness of its welcome. The event, which is the city’s largest international festival, has been held annually in venues across the city, centering around the City Hall, since 1954. Cork will again welcome visitors and choirs from across Ireland and the world for a programme of Gala concerts, Schools Concerts, National and International Competitions, and world-class performances. The city’s streets, restaurants and bars are also always full of choral joy, so it’s a great weekend to experience Cork For more, see corkchoral.ie.
Throughout May: Bealtaine Festival
This year, Bealtaine Festival, Ireland’s national celebration of the arts and creativity as we age, is celebrating it’s 30th anniversary. To mark the milestone, it will host an iconic programme of diverse events nationwide including the Big Bealtaine Tea Party kicking off opening weekend, Songs & Stories from Silver Stars, Rebellious Hope, Voices Unite, An Evening with Mary Coughlan, Bealtaine Festival x DIFF, and so much more! For tickets and further information, visit bealtaine.ie.
26 May – 2 June: Blackwater Valley Opera Festival, Waterford and Cork
Experience an exhilarating week of opera, classical music recitals and concerts, schools and free events, pop-up events, dining and more at incredible homes and stunning historic venues throughout the Blackwater Valley at Ireland’s Summer Opera Festival. This year’s highlight will be four performances of Benjamin Britten: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, a comedy of errors, directed by Tony Award-winner Patrick Mason, with the Irish Chamber Orchestra conducted by David Brophy in the grounds of Lismore Castle, Co Waterford. Free BVOF Open Air Lunchtime Recitals will bring the magic to local communities in Lismore and Dungarvan, Waterford; Youghal, and Castlemartyr in Cork for the very first time. For more see blackwatervalleyopera.ie
7-8 June: Cork Carnival of Science, Cork City
Ireland’s largest outdoor science engagement event, Cork Carnival of Science, takes place at Cork City’s Fitzgerald Park, supported by Cork City Council and Science Foundation Ireland. The event features more than 50 exhibitors and live science shows, offering non-stop, family-friendly experiments, interactive activities, games, street cuisine and a packed line-up of live entertainment all with a science or S.T.E.M theme! Enjoy making your own batteries, LEGO building with Learn it Ireland, meet exotic creatures, check out the inner workings of robots, extract DNA from a banana and create a bang with Chemists from UCC. While dates are yet to be confirmed you can lightly pencil this one in for a weekend in early June. Click here for more.
19-22 June: Galway Uke Fest
As the name suggests, this is a celebration of all things ukelele, set in the heart of Galway. Over four days, the city will come alive with workshops, music and good vibes offering something for everyone, whether you’re a seasoned player, a beginner or just want to hear some great live music. See galwayukefest.com for more.
27-29 June: Birdhill Coffee Festival
The 2nd annual coffee festival in the heart of Tipperary takes place this June and promises to be a feast for all the senses! The 3 day festival will be held at a scenic roastery in Birdhill and is aimed at bringing coffee curious adults together to enjoy great coffee, education and everything that makes a coffee roastery tick. Click here for more information and to buy tickets.
5 July: The Yoga Picnic
If you love the idea of doing yoga in a beautiful place, this is the day out for you. Crafted by three friends and enthusiastic yoga teachers, Mary Gardiner, Katy Harrison and Alice Harrison, The Yoga Picnic is a wellness experience which brings together Ireland’s leading holistic practitioners for a day of movement, therapies, discussion and music. See theyogapicnic.com for more.
20-22 June: Tunefest Dungarvan, Co. Waterford
With a resurgence in interest in traditional Irish Music, 2025 is definitely the year to check out Tunefest – an emerging trad music festival which attracts world-class musicians to the scenic harbour town of Dungarvan. The event will bring together some of the most talented traditional Irish musicians and singers from Waterford, around the country, and overseas for one incredible weekend of top-class traditional music and fun. The best of visiting and local musicians will be out in full force for sessions, concerts, recitals, workshops, album launch parties and busking sessions. The festival has also teamed up with local hotels and accommodation providers to offer special packages for those looking to stay in Dungarvan for the weekend. For more see tunefest.ie.
22-27 July: Sligo Jazz Festival
Sligo Jazz Festival is set to feature some incredible acts as well as quality pub/hotel/cafe sessions with the best of Irish and international jazz acts, plus jam sessions featuring summer school participants and tutors alike. See sligojazz.ie for more.
July 25-27: Forest Fest, Co Laois
Music fans, you’re going to want to mark this one in your calendar! Forest Fest, one of the country’s only independent music festivals of its scale, is set to have a stellar line up of major Irish and international acts, including Franz Ferdinand, Manic Street Preachers, Orbital, Andrew Strong, Pillow Queens and The Stranglers, with more to be revealed. Taking place from 25-27 July in Emo, Co Laois, the festival is the ultimate family-friendly getaway for music and arts fans. See forestfest.ie for more.
13-17 August: Cork on a Fork Fest, Cork City
Experience the unique flavours of Cork’s vibrant food culture as the city celebrates its culinary excellence, vibrant dining and nightlife scene, and exceptional local produce from regional growers, producers, and farmers. Over five days, local and visitors alike will savour the essence of this authentic and multicultural gastronomy destination through exclusive dining experiences, food events, talks, cooking demonstrations, a full children’s programme and festival fun. For more, see corkonaforkfest.ie.
15 August – 6 September: Pop-Up Movies at Johnstown Castle, Co Wexford
There is a fantastic lineup of events scheduled over the summer months at Johnstown Castle but the one we’re most excited about is the Pop-Up Movies. A series of outdoor movie nights will bring cinematic magic to the ancient building, with screenings set against the stunning backdrop of the castle. Visitors can enjoy iconic films under the stars, including The Bodyguard on 15 August, Mamma Mia on 16 August, Grease on 5 September, and Bridesmaids on 6 September, creating unforgettable summer evenings with friends and family. Visit johnstowncastle.ie for more information.
4-10 October: Space Week Ireland, nationwide
Coordinated by MTU Blackrock Castle Observatory, Space Week Ireland aims to ignite a passion for space science and inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and astronauts. Ireland as a nation punches well above its weight in terms of space discoveries and involvement in the space industry so this festival is a great opportunity to delve into the Irish Space Connection past, present and future! Over the week, the public can explore a space-themed festival of events and a captivating series of workshops, lectures, exhibitions, throughout the country as well as enjoying superb Space Week TV content on Youtube. For more, see spaceweek.ie.
23-27 October: Guinness Cork Jazz Festival, Cork
Ireland’s biggest and longest-established jazz event, the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival, has been a cornerstone of the cultural calendar since 1978. The 2025 festival, running from 23–27 October, promises a stellar line-up of both Irish and international musicians, along with emerging artists who are redefining the boundaries of the genre. In addition to outstanding performances, the festival offers vibrant pop-up events, late-night parties, scenic boat trips, unique collaborations, and the iconic spectacle of brass bands parading through the city streets. For updates and details, visit guinnesscorkjazz.com.
October: The Nightmare Realm, Dublin
If you want to ensure 2025 is the year of the ultimate Halloween night out, make sure you visit The Nightmare Realm, Ireland’s only indoor scream park. You’ll have to wait until later in the year for precise dates and theme but it traditionally runs from early October into the first few days of November. Crowned the ‘Best Scream Park in Europe’ in 2023 at the European Scare Awards, this frightening festival continues to entertain thousands of Irish and international visitors. For more see thenightmarerealm.ie.
All year: Island City – Cork’s Urban Sculpture Trail, Cork City
If you are looking for something unique to explore in Cork, don’t miss Island City: Cork’s Urban Sculpture Trail. This captivating cultural trail features five public artworks installed across five locations in Cork city centre’s island over the last 18 months. It includes prehistoric artefacts brought to life in 3D, a lane-length overhead sculptural piece that responds to the shifting shape of the city, an art nouveau crafted lamp-post that encourages people to look up and explore the architecture as they navigate through the city, and a light installation that depicts Corkonians gathering to share a moment of togetherness, united by the beauty of a setting summer sun. Download your self-guided map or book one of the monthly guided tours on corkcity.ie/islandcity.
