The festivals to watch out for in 2025

Looking for a festival to attend in 2025? You’re in luck. In Ireland, it feels like there’s an event happening practically every weekend, from huge St Patrick’s Day celebrations to intimate literary gatherings. 

Our calendar begins on 1st February, also known as the major Celtic festival Imbolc, which marks the halfway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. The day celebrates renewal and the first signs of spring as we awake after winter. 

 Here’s what’s hot as we reawaken this year… 

St Brigid's Day Celebrations 2024, Co. Kildare.

February

St Brigid, the trailblazing figure often likened to St Patrick will be commemorated at the Spirit of Brigid Festival in County Kildare, which returns this year from 24 Jan–3 February. The programme explores the myth and legend surrounding this enigmatic Celtic saint through an exciting programme of workshops, music, dance, and talks.   

On St Valentine’s Day weekend, The Outing is coming to Dromoland, County Clare, for a queer arts collective that blends music, comedy, queer arts and matchmaking, hosted by Paul Ryder and Eddie McGuinness. 

Also in February, the NI Science Festival has some brilliant events planned, including scientific workshops and live lessons, alongside outdoor activities like a “Paddle Back in Time” or “Paddle With Purpose”, both on Strangford Lough. 

March  

From 7–9 March, the Thomas Francis Meagher 177th Anniversary Tricolour Celebration marks the anniversary of the first time the tricolour flew in Waterford city, with a walking tour, military parade and gala dinner.   

A few weeks later, Dublin’s fair city will be transformed for the St Patrick’s Festival, which is set to be as lively as ever. As well as a huge parade, the Festival Quarter will set up in Collins Barracks, for fairground rides, family events and the epic Céilí Mór, as well as live music after dark. 

Meanwhile in Killarney, several events for the St Patrick’s Festival will be held in West End House, the School of Arts Michael Fassbender founded in what was formerly his parents’ restaurant. 

For a local buzz all month long, try the Feel Good Festival at Portico of Ards, a community-focused event that runs every weekend in March, bringing together a diverse mix of musicians from Ireland and around the world, such as the Nordic choral group Sjaella and a chamber ensemble from New York. 

April  

From 4–6 April, Ireland’s outdoor festival Wander Wild will return to Killarney, County Kerry, for a weekend of activities like SUP safaris, lakeside sauna sessions and kayaking tours. 

This year marks the 25th Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival in Belfast. Taking place in April and May, you can expect over 100 live events in the city centre, with live music, comedy, theatre and visual art. 

2024, Listowel Writers' Week, Listowel, Co Kerry

May  

It’s all about music in the “Rebel City” of Cork, too, when the Cork International Choral Festival comes into town from 30 April–4 May.  

Also taking place on the May Bank Holiday, the Ballydehob Jazz Festival will feature fun events like a music trail, swing dance workshops and a New Orleans Jazz Funeral Parade through the County Cork town. 

Then on 5–10 May, the North West 200 hits Portstewart, Coleraine and Portrush, for a high-speed motorcycle race between the three towns on the Causeway Coast, with crowds of 150,000 people turning up to see all the action. 

For something a little less high octane, the team behind the festival Another Love Story is holding Love is a Stranger in Juniper Barn, County Sligo – featuring a day of low-key gigs and hangouts to ease you into the summer season. 

At the end of the month, Listowel Writers’ Week (the oldest literary and arts festival in Ireland) sees writers, poets and authors gather for readings and events in this pretty Kerry town.  

Continuing the literary theme, the second-ever Ballyscullion Park Book Festival takes place in May in Seamus Heaney country, following its success in 2024. There’s a lineup of over 50 events featuring playwrights, poets and screenwriters, all held in the beautiful setting of Ballyscullion Park.   

June  

In June, the city will be taken over with boater hats and pince-nez glasses for Bloomsday. No longer just a one-day event, the Bloomsday Festival is held from 11–16 June, with theatre, walking tours and exhibitions, and a traditional parade on June 16. 

The Flann O'Brien Literary Festival is happening in June, for “all things Flann”, with plays and concerts.  

July  

In Bantry, the West Cork Literary Festival in July has plenty of events celebrating the written word, alongside outdoor yoga, sunrise swims and live interviews with world-famous writers.   

Finish the month on a high with traditional music from 27 July–3 August at Belfast TradFest, along with workshops, céilís and pub sessions.  

Fleadh Cheoil 2016, Ennis

August  

Feeling arty? The Kilkenny Arts Festival is back in August, and you can expect the usual combination of orchestral performances, quirky theatre pieces and headline concerts – last year saw gigs from Lisa O’Neil and Mick Flannery, among others. 

Meanwhile down in County Wexford, the iconic 2025 Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann will be held from 3–10 August, with Irish dance, music and song. 

Elsewhere, sink your teeth into a carnivore’s dream with meaty cuisine from some of the world’s best pitmaster chefs at the Big Grill. There are stalls from well-loved Irish restaurants and renowned visiting chefs, as well as on-stage chili eating competitions and live DJs.  

September  

Fancy something literary? Check out Write By The Sea Literary Festival in the scenic fishing village of Kilmore Quay, with panels, seminars and live interviews featuring some of Ireland’s most prolific writers.  

Dublin’s flagship contemporary arts festival, the Dublin Fringe Festival, will run from 6–21 September, featuring an eclectic array of live theatre, dance, mixed media and music events scheduled to satisfy the appetites of the most ardent culture vultures among us.  

Also promising a plethora of genres and featuring both international and Irish work, the Dublin Theatre Festival returns in September for its 68th year. The festival will take place from 25 September to 12 October and the full programme will be announced in late July.   

2024, Púca Festival, Pyro Collective, Performers, Trim Castle, Co Meath

October  

In Dublin, the eponymous Bram Stoker Festival takes place from 24–27 October. Expect scary pop-ups, immersive art events and storytelling, all with a suitably macabre theme. 

Another big draw is the Derry Halloween festival, the largest of its kind in Europe, with theatrical parades, fireworks and immersive exhibits around the 400-year-old city walls.  

2025 marks the sixth Púca Festival, an immersive celebration held in Trim and Athboy, County Meath, to mark the mystical feast of Samhain. Over four nights around Halloween, there’s live music, comedy and the huge Púca Procession, with puppetry, fire and theatre. 

Also in October, Secret Song takes over Levis Corner House in Ballydehob, for a day of live music and spoken word.  

November 

November might herald the arrival of winter in Ireland, but that doesn’t mean that the festival scene slows down. Instead, as the days get shorter and the weather gets colder, you can expect a lineup of great sounds, cosy locations and stunning scenery. 

Film buffs should hotfoot it straight to Ireland’s largest film event, the Cork International Film Festival (6–16 November). It’s the 70th anniversary in 2025 and it’s set to be a big one.  

For great tunes in November, head to the coast. Atlantic Sessions promises a four-day music fest set within the restaurants, hotels and bars of the super-scenic hubs of Portstewart and Portrush on Northern Ireland’s monumental Causeway Coast.  

The buzzy boho town of Dingle in County Kerry hosts one of Ireland’s most popular boutique music festivals every November, Other Voices. Over 100 performances take place in atmospheric venues in this super-hip corner of County Kerry, famed for its excellent traditional pubs and creative scene. It’s one not to miss. 

December  

Wrap up the year in style at Dublin’s New Year’s Festival, the biggest NYE celebration on the island of Ireland and the perfect place to kick off 2026. The three days of celebrations across the city include a concert at Dublin Castle and fireworks around Dublin Bay at two key locations – Dun Laoghaire in south County Dublin and Howth in north County Dublin. You’ll also find a plethora of live music events and cultural activities, as well as the unmissable party atmosphere of one of the friendliest cities in the world.  

2024, TradFest, Murice Lennon, Pepper Canister Church, Dublin City

The Year Ahead – January 2026   

Ready for a bop? The New Year will kick off with TradFest 2026. Marking the 21st year of Ireland’s leading trad and folk festival, with gigs and sessions held in quirky venues all over Dublin city, from concerts in the Pepper Canister Church to pop-in trad sessions in the GPO.  

In Belfast, Out to Lunch takes place each January, with a wide range of events spanning from comedy with Lucy Porter and Josie Long, to musicians celebrating 40 Years of Tom Waits’ Raindogs. 

Want to find out more about Ireland’s festivals? Check out our guide to everything that’s happening throughout the year.