- Dublin Horse Show (6 to 10 August): A prestigious equestrian event at the RDS featuring world-class show jumping, family entertainment, Irish culture, and shopping in a historic setting.
- Howth Roots & Blues Festival (7 to 9 August): A vibrant festival in the picturesque fishing village of Howth with over forty free live performances of roots and blues music across pubs and venues.
- Donabate Portrane Summer Festival (7 to 9 August): A family-oriented community event with entertainment, live performances, and summer fun in Donabate Portrane.
- The Big Grill Festival (13 to 16 August): Europe’s biggest barbecue and food festival at Herbert Park, featuring live fire cooking, incredible food stalls, and family activities.
- National Heritage Week in Dublin (15 to 23 August): County-wide celebrations of Dublin’s heritage with open days, guided tours, exhibitions, talks, and cultural events at historic sites and landmarks.
- Paddy Power Comedy Festival (dates in August, building on July): A major comedy event with performances across Dublin venues, attracting top comedians for laughs throughout the summer period.
Annual & recurring festivals
Dublin is the festival capital of Ireland, hosting everything from massive national celebrations to niche neighborhood arts events. Here are the recurring and annual festivals in County Dublin:
- Tradfest Temple Bar (January): Ireland’s largest festival of traditional and folk music, featuring concerts in historic venues like St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Dublin City Hall.
- Dublin International Film Festival (February): A world-class cinematic event showcasing over 100 features and shorts from across the globe, often featuring appearances by major Hollywood stars.
- St. Patrick’s Festival (March): A multi-day national celebration centered on the massive carnival parade through the city center, featuring street theatre, concerts, and “greening” of landmarks.
- Dublin Comic Con (March & August): A biannual pop-culture extravaganza at the Convention Centre featuring celebrity guests, cosplay, and gaming.
- Music Town (April): A city-wide festival celebrating all genres of music through unique collaborations and performances in unusual spaces.
- Dublin Dance Festival (May): The island’s premier contemporary dance event, bringing international choreographers and performers to the capital’s stages.
- International Literature Festival Dublin (May): A gathering of the world’s finest writers and poets for readings, debates, and workshops in Merrion Square.
- Bloom in the Park (May/June): Ireland’s largest gardening and food festival, held over five days in the Phoenix Park.
- Forbidden Fruit Festival (June): A popular music and arts festival held on the grounds of the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, blending electronic, indie, and hip-hop.
- Dublin Pride (June): A massive celebration of the LGBTQ+ community, culminating in a colorful parade and festival in the city center.
- Longitude (July): A major outdoor music festival in Marlay Park focusing on contemporary pop, hip-hop, and electronic artists.
- Photo Ireland Festival (July): A month-long celebration of photography featuring exhibitions, talks, and workshops across various galleries.
- Dublin Horse Show (August): A world-famous equestrian event at the RDS featuring international show jumping, style awards, and family entertainment.
- National Heritage Week in Dublin (third week in August) features walks, talks, exhibitions, and activities across the county.
- Dublin Fringe Festival (September): A curated multi-disciplinary festival and “creative playground” for new and emerging artists across the city.
- Dublin Theatre Festival (September/October): Europe’s oldest specialized theatre festival, showcasing new Irish plays alongside international productions.
- Bram Stoker Festival (October): A “Gothic” celebration held over the Halloween weekend, inspired by the Dublin-born author of Dracula.
- Dublin Book Festival (November): A celebration of Irish writers and publishing, held primarily in the historic surroundings of Dublin Castle.
- Wild Lights at Dublin Zoo (November–January): A spectacular night-time silk lantern trail through the zoo, featuring giant illuminated sculptures and light shows.
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
Dublin:
Introduction – 1837 – Adventure – Anthem – Archaeology – Attractions – Awards – Birdwatching – Castles – Churches – Contact list – Cycling – Dining – Equestrian – Festivals – Fishing – Folklore – Golf – Graveyards – Happening – Haunted – Highest – Hiking – History – Holy Wells –Hotels – Hotels8 – Instagrammable – Itineraries – Largest town – Luxury – MICE – Movies – Musicians – Name – Novelists – Off the beaten track – Poets – Pubs – Quotes – Random Facts – Restaurant Awards – Saints – Spas – Sports – Sunsets – Sustainable – Things to do – Towns – Video – Villages – Walking – Wanderlist – Weddings – Wild swimming – Writers
