AS 2026 gets into gear and sorts itself out, the festival season in Ireland also begins to stir.
A range of interests are catered for from jazz to culinary pursuits, and from theatre to music of every hue.
Over the next few months, some intriguing events are coming up...
Dublin International Film Festival
diff.ie
February 19 – March 1
LOCATION: Dublin
Ireland's largest film festival presents a programme of 2026’s most exciting international cinema, the best new Irish cinema, a retrospective of much-loved and forgotten classics, conversations with actors, directors, and more. DIFF's Avolon World Cinema Award returns for a second year, honouring compelling cinema from around the globe, made by first-, second- or third-time directors.
Mother Tongues Festival
mothertonguesfestival.com
February 20–21
LOCATION: TALLAGHT, DUBLIN
The largest festival celebrating linguistic diversity through the arts in Ireland, showcasing work through workshops, open discussions, storytelling experiences, live performances and much, much more across multiple languages. The aim is to highlight the power of multilingualism to unite communities.
The Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh Band will perform at the St Patrick's Festival in BelfastOrtús Chamber Music Festival
ortusfestival.ie
February 21 – March 1
LOCATION: CORK
This festival features accomplished Irish and international musicians for performances across Cork City and the wider county, focusing on a packed line-up of award-winning violinists, fiddlers, cellists and violists. Performers include the exceptional violinist Mairéad Hickey, possibly Ireland’s most gifted musician. She is renowned for her emotive expression and exceptional virtuosity and has performed as a soloist with numerous prestigious orchestras, including the RTÉ Irish National Symphony Orchestra, Frankfurt Radio Orchestra and the Chamber Orchestra of Europe. Her Carnegie Hall debut was described as ‘magical’, and she’s a nailed-on certainty to repeat that magic in Cork.
All Shucked Up
allshuckedup.ie/
February 27 – March 1
LOCATION: CORK
The new Howth Guinness Oyster & Music Festival will be a celebration of fresh local oysters (and probably other seafood), perfectly poured pints, and live music across a range of venues in this great fishing village. The seafood in this massively maritimey town is renowned across Europe, and the music accompanying during the festival sounds equally top shelf. There will be unplugged acoustic at the Harbour Bar, R&B at McNeils, jazz at Findlater’s — as well as bluegrass, old-time dancing and country music at several other venues.
Fingal International Festival of Voices
fingalfestivalofvoices.com
March 5–8
LOCATION: BALBRIGGAN
A week-long festival featuring ensembles, performers, and singers from across the globe in Balbriggan. Concerts, ad hoc gigs, competitions, food stalls, local arts and crafts markets, and even a few buskers out and about in this Co. Dublin seaside town.
Finding a Voice
findingavoice.ie
March 5–8
LOCATION: CLONMEL, CO. TIPPERARY
A festival of music by women for women in Clonmel, featuring performances of unforgettable music by remarkable women from leading Irish and international musicians.
St. Patrick’s Festival
stpatricksfestival.ie
London.gov.uk/events/st-patricks-festival-2026
March 14–17
LOCATION: DUBLIN, LONDON, BELFAST, WORLDWIDE
St Patrick’s Day is Tuesday this year, and will be celebrated everywhere from Mullingar to Montserrat, and from Glasgow to Chicago. Celebrations will vary in emphasis from the more sober, reflective events at, say, Down Cathedral in Downpatrick — within whose grounds the saint is buried — to the more craic-fuelled events elsewhere. The centrepiece of Dublin’s festival will be the Main Parade processing through the city’s streets. Expect marching bands of international standard, theatricals and fireworks.
In London the main concert in Trafalgar Square is on Sunday, March 15.
In Belfast St Patrick’s Music Festival takes place at Mandela Hall, Queen’s University, featuring Dougie MacLean, Andy Irvine and the Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh Band.
Waterford Food FestivalWaterford Festival of Food
waterfordfestivaloffood.com
April 25 – 27
LOCATION: WATERFORD
Showcases Ireland’s food culture with over 80 events in Dungarvan and surrounding areas, including tastings, demonstrations, and workshops. The events feature the food of the region, as well as playing host to top chefs from across these islands. The festival is one of the great family-friendly events in the area. There are markets, music seisiúns, demos, talks and chances for fine dining or street food.
Catalyst International Film Festival
catalystinternationalfilmfestival.com/
April 23 – 25
LOCATION: LIMERICK
The Limerick festival presents a film programme prioritising stories and storytellers currently under-represented on screen and behind the camera, with screenings, panels, workshops and masterclasses.
Cúirt International Festival of Literature
cuirt.ie
April 23–26, 2026
One of Europe’s longest-running book festivals, celebrating writing, books, and reading in all forms, with discussions from Irish and international authors in Galway. There will be literature labs and workshops with a Writer in Residence. With over fifty events, guests will be announced in early 2026.
Birr Castle in Offaly which is home to some of the events at the Birr Festival of MusicCity of Derry Jazz & Big Band Festival
cityofderryjazzfestival.com
April 30 – May 4, 2026
LOCATION: DERRY
Celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2026, welcoming global audiences for a weekend of live jazz, cultural events, many diminished 7th chords and blue notes and top rhythms including 9/8 and bossa nova. The full programme is yet to be confirmed.
Birr Festival of Music
birrfestivalofmusic.com
May 1–5, 2026
LOCATION: BIRR, CO. OFFALY
An annual classical music festival in Offaly featuring a mix of indoor and outdoor concerts, pop-ups, street performances, and workshops. This year’s festival blends classical, contemporary, folk, and jazz performances by acclaimed Irish and international artists. Highlights include open-air concerts in the Birr Castle Gardens, intimate recitals in historic venues, and interactive workshops for music lovers of all ages.
Smithwick’s Kilkenny Roots Festival
kilkennyroots.com/
May 1 – 4
LOCATION: KILKENNY
A four-day mix of alt-country, Americana and roots acts in intimate Kilkenny venues, with a packed lineup running from afternoon sessions to late-night gigs across the city. Headliners include The Big Star Quintet, Sunyears, Styrofoam Winos and Chris Stamey.
Ballydehob Jazz Festival
ballydehobjazzfestival.org/
May 2–5
LOCATION: BALLYDEHOB, CO. CORK
The long-established festival features Moonshine, Shindig FT, Boolaboom and Canibal
Cork International Choral Festival
corkchoral.ie
April 29 – May 3, 2026
One of Europe’s premier international choral festivals, bringing together choirs from across the world for performances, competitions and workshops in Cork.
Choirs from across the world descend on Cork for a programme of concerts, competitions, and world-class performances.
Each year some of the finest amateur international choirs are selected to compete for the prestigious Fleischmann International Trophy. The selected choirs also participate in a wide range of Festival events.
Galway Theatre Festival
galwaytheatrefestival.com
May 1 – 9, 2026
Features days of exciting theatre, spectacle, and storytelling, showcasing the vibrant performance culture of Ireland’s festival city, with a platform for both national artists and artists based in the West of Ireland. Highlights for 2026 will be announced early in the year, continuing the festival’s tradition of bold new writing, physical theatre, and innovative Irish-made productions.
See More: 2026, Festivals, Ireland
