KILDARE events: Upcoming festivals in Ireland’s county Kildare

Here are the upcoming festivals and events in County Kildare from 20 March to 1 May 2026, offering a mix of world-class horse racing, jazz music, family Easter fun, theatre, community advocacy, and GAA/sporting action across Newbridge, Maynooth, Kildare Town, The Curragh, and Punchestown.

Major Festivals

Kildare Jazz Festival 2026 (27-29 March): A vibrant county-wide jazz celebration featuring international and local artists, headline performances, interactive workshops, and family-friendly events, mainly at the Riverbank Arts Centre in Newbridge.‚Ä®Key highlights: Yumi Ito (27 March) with her unique blend of jazz and vocal improvisation; Orlando Molina Quintet (28 March) headline set; Family Concert: Origin Story (29 March), an interactive bilingual (Irish/English) jazz experience for all ages; plus workshops including playful dance with Karen Aguiar (28 March) and contemporary groove with Mateusz Szczerek (29 March).
Punchestown Festival (28 April – 2 May, with main racing days 29 April – 2 May within the period): Ireland’s premier National Hunt racing festival at Punchestown Racecourse, known as the “Cheltenham of Ireland”. This five-day extravaganza features top-tier Grade 1 races (including the Champion Chase, Gold Cup, and Champion Hurdle equivalents), live music, fashion, high-end hospitality, food villages, and a buzzing social atmosphere attracting huge crowds.

Seasonal & Family Events

Easter at Clonfert Farm (28 March – 5 April): A delightful family Easter celebration at Clonfert Farm near Maynooth, with Easter egg hunts, farm animal interactions, tractor rides, outdoor games, and kids’ entertainment.
Easter Family Adventure at Kildare Farm Foods (30 March – 4 April): Seasonal family fun at Kildare Farm Foods in Kildare Town, including interactive animal encounters, Easter-themed activities, and hands-on farm experiences.
Alice’s Easter Wonderland (begins 3 April): A magical, Alice in Wonderland-themed Easter experience for children at the Irish National Stud & Gardens in Tully, set amid the beautiful Japanese Gardens and St. Fiachra’s Garden, with trails, storytelling, and garden exploration.

Arts, Culture & Community

Spinal Injuries Ireland Empowerment Summit 2026 (21 March): A biennial advocacy event at The Curragh Racecourse, bringing together experts, lived-experience voices, technology innovators, and fitness professionals to empower and advance support for people with spinal cord injuries.
“Fishville” by Kildare Youth Theatre (25 March): A thought-provoking youth theatre production of Afsaneh Gray’s play at Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge, exploring themes of change, identity, and belonging.
“Bellow” by Brokentalkers (11 April): An acclaimed theatrical piece at Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge, telling the true story of Danny O’Mahony and his lifelong dedication to preserving traditional Irish music.
Hothouse Flowers Acoustic Show (10 April): An intimate acoustic performance by the iconic Irish rock band Hothouse Flowers at The Keadeen Hotel, Newbridge.

Sports & Racing

Allianz Football League: Kildare v Louth (22 March): Round 7 GAA football match in Division 2/3 (depending on standings) at Cedral St. Conleth’s GAA Park, Newbridge.
The Spring Series (recurring through 4 May): A programme of flat and National Hunt race meetings at The Curragh Racecourse, including Ireland’s first-ever Good Friday fixture (3 April) and various charity and feature race days.

Annual & recurring festivals

County Kildare is the heart of Ireland’s horse racing industry and ancient heritage, offering a mix of prestigious sporting events and cultural celebrations. Here are the recurring and annual festivals in County Kildare:

Feile Bride (February): A week-long series of events in Kildare Town celebrating St. Brigid, the patron saint of the county, featuring workshops, music, and spiritual pilgrimages.
St. Patrick’s Festival (March): Major community parades and family-oriented festivals held in towns such as Naas, Newbridge, and Maynooth.
Punchestown Festival (April): One of the highlights of the Irish sporting and social calendar, featuring world-class National Hunt horse racing and high fashion.
Athy Bluegrass Festival (July): An intimate music festival in Athy that brings together top-tier international and local bluegrass and old-time musicians.
Kildare Derby Festival (June/July): A week of festivities in Kildare Town leading up to the Irish Derby, featuring street carnivals, live music, and outdoor cinema.
Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby (June/July): Ireland’s most prestigious horse race held at The Curragh, known for its glamour, high-stakes racing, and “Style Awards.”
Scoil na gCláirseach – Festival of Early Irish Harp (July): A specialized festival often hosted in Kilcullen or Maynooth, dedicated to the historical wire-strung harp through workshops and concerts.
Shackleton Autumn School (October): Based in Athy, this unique festival celebrates the life of the great Antarctic explorer Ernest Shackleton with lectures, exhibitions, and drama.
Féile an Phúca (October): A family-friendly Halloween festival in Clane featuring spooky trails, workshops, and traditional Irish storytelling.
June Fest (June): A month-long community arts and heritage festival in Newbridge showcasing local talent, exhibitions, and family fun days.
Riverfest (August): A riverside festival in Celbridge celebrating the River Liffey with water activities, music, and local food stalls.
Kildare Village Christmas Experience (November/December): A festive shopping and light festival featuring luxury designer markets and spectacular illumination displays.