- Taste of Kildare (15–16 August, Naas Racecourse): A vibrant two-day celebration of the county’s food and drink scene. It brings together leading chefs, artisan producers, and hospitality talent for delicious dishes, craft drinks, live chef demonstrations, interactive workshops, live music, entertainment, and family-friendly activities (children under 10 enter free).
- Lughnasa Festival at the Irish National Stud & Gardens ( 8 August, Kildare Town area): A harvest celebration with live music, family entertainment, food, traditional market stalls, cookery demonstrations, puppet shows, games, and fairground rides—perfect for all ages.
- National Heritage Week in Kildare 15-22 August) features walks, talks, exhibitions, and activities across the county.
- Audio Garden Festival (21–23 August, Burtown House and Gardens): An underground and electronic music festival with camping, featuring techno, trance, drum & bass, psytrance, and more in a scenic garden setting with food and community vibes.
- Féile Springsteen (22 August, The Village Pump, Rathangan): An inaugural cultural tribute festival celebrating Bruce Springsteen (“The Boss”), with live music and events highlighting historic connections to the area.
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 and parades held in towns such as Athy, Castledermot, Celbridge, Clane, Edenderry, Leixlip, Maynooth, Monasterevan, Naas and Newbridge. Celbridge History Society organise a morning visit to Saint Patrick;s church and well in Ardrass and a hill climb of Saint Patrick’s Hill.
- 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.”
- Vanessa and Swift festival in Cebridge (July), cultural and literary events commemorating the celebrated love affair between the author and the daughter of the the owner of Celbridge Abbey.
- National Heritage Week in Kildare (third week in August) features walks, talks, exhibitions, and activities across the county.
- 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.
- Kildare Village Christmas Experience (November/December): A festive shopping and light festival featuring luxury designer markets and spectacular illumination displays.
Festivals
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Kildare:
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