- SSpraoi International Street Arts Festival (31 July–2 August, Waterford City): Ireland’s premier street arts festival with international performers, theatre, music, parades, circus acts, and large-scale spectacles transforming the historic streets.
- Dunmore East Bluegrass Festival (27–30 August, Dunmore East): The 31st annual festival featuring bluegrass, roots, Americana, folk, and country music with Irish and international acts across village venues.
- National Heritage Week in Waterford (15–23 August) brings walks, talks, exhibitions, and activities across the county. Additional local music and community events often take place. Check visitwaterford.com for the latest programme.
Annual & recurring festivals
County Waterford, known for its Viking history and the Copper Coast, hosts several major international festivals and renowned food celebrations.
- West Waterford Festival of Food (April): One of Ireland’s largest and most prestigious food festivals, held in Dungarvan, featuring massive outdoor markets, celebrity chef demos, and “bus Bia” food tours.
- Waterford Festival of Architecture (May): A celebration of the city’s unique built heritage: from Viking and Medieval to Georgian: featuring guided tours, talks, and exhibitions.
- Blackwater Valley Opera Festival (May/June): Ireland’s premier summer opera festival, featuring world-class performances, concerts, and recitals in the historic houses and gardens of the Blackwater Valley, including Lismore Castle.
- Lismore Immrama Festival of Travel Writing (June): A unique literary festival in Dervla Murphy’s home town of Lismore, bringing together world-renowned travel writers, adventurers, and broadcasters.
- Dungarvan Agricultural Show (July): A traditional rural showcase featuring livestock competitions, show jumping, and local artisan crafts at the Dungarvan Showgrounds.
- Comeraghs Wild Festival (July): A celebration of the Comeragh Mountains and the surrounding villages, featuring outdoor concerts, mountain treks, and local storytelling.
- WLR Spraoi International Street Arts Festival (August): A massive three-day event that transforms Waterford City with international street theatre, circus performers, live music, and a spectacular illuminated night parade.
- Waterford Walls (August): An international street art festival where world-class muralists transform the city’s gable ends and public spaces into an open-air gallery.
- National Heritage Week in Waterford (third week in August) features walks, talks, exhibitions, and activities across the county.
- Vitamin Sea Festival (September): A coastal celebration in Tramore focusing on sea swimming, wellness, local seafood, and the unique lifestyle of the Copper Coast
- Harvest Festival (September): A major food celebration in Waterford City focusing on local producers, featuring the “giant Picnic,” honey shows, and city-wide tasting trails.
- Imagine Arts Festival (October): A multi-disciplinary autumnal arts festival featuring a mix of music, theatre, dance, and visual arts, often incorporating the John Dwyer Trad Weekend.
- Waterford International Film Festival (November): A showcase of independent cinema focusing on short films, documentaries, and screenwriting competitions held in the city.
- Winterval (November/December): Ireland’s largest Christmas festival, turning Waterford City into a winter wonderland with a giant ice rink, festive markets, light shows, and the Winterval Express train..
Festivals
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary– Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
Waterford:
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