SLIGO events: Upcoming festivals in Ireland’s county Sligo

Here are the upcoming festivals and events in County Sligo from 20 March to 1 May 2026, offering an engaging mix of cultural competitions, scenic outdoor challenges, live music, comedy, theatre, and regular community runs across Sligo town, Rosses Point, Drumcliff, Keash, Ballymote, and more. This spring period highlights Sligo’s rich artistic heritage, stunning landscapes, and vibrant community spirit, with Easter (3-6 April) adding to family and sporting fun.Major Festivals

Feis Shligigh 2026 (27 March – 1 April): A major cultural feis (festival/competition) with a comprehensive programme at venues including ATU Sligo and Hawk’s Well Theatre. It features Traditional Music & Sean-Nós Dancing (27-30 March), Instrumental and Vocal Music (28-29 March), Comhaltas Gaeilge and English Verse Speaking (various dates), and a Drama Festival (29 March – 1 April)-celebrating talent in music, dance, speech, and theatre with competitions open to all ages.
Sligo Feis Ceoil (April, specific dates TBC): An annual event dedicated to classical and traditional music competitions across various venues in Sligo town, providing a platform for performers in instrumental, vocal, and related categories.

Outdoor & Sporting Events

West of Ireland Amateur Golf Championship (starting 3 April): A prestigious match-play tournament at County Sligo Golf Club in Rosses Point, attracting emerging amateur golfers for competitive play on one of Ireland’s top links courses.
Carney 10K & Sligo Half Marathon (6 April, Easter Monday): A scenic road race starting from Oxfield Community Centre in Drumcliff, offering half-marathon and 10km distances through beautiful Sligo countryside-popular for its uplifting routes and community support.
Castle 2 Cave Camino (18 April): The 5th annual guided walking pilgrimage/event from Keash to Ballymote (starting at Eastern Harps GAA Club), traversing historic landscapes rich in heritage and scenery.
Guided Hike of Benbulben (25 April): A 4-5-hour moderate-to-challenging guided trek starting at Luke’s Bridge, exploring the iconic flat-topped mountain’s unique geology, flora, and panoramic views.

Arts & Entertainment

Paint, Slánte & Live Groove (20 March): A fun social evening at Lillie’s Cocktail Bar combining a guided painting workshop, live music, cocktails, and good company.
Damo Clark – Get a Load of This (10 April): High-energy stand-up comedy by Australian comedian Damo Clark at the Yeats Society Sligo.
Nathan Carter Live (12 April): A lively concert by the popular Irish country music star at the Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Sligo, featuring his hit songs and energetic performance.
Seán Keane – A Celebration of Music & Song (17 April): Renowned Galway singer Se√°n Keane in concert with a full band at Hawk’s Well Theatre, delivering heartfelt traditional and folk tunes.
Bring It On: The Musical (28-30 April): A high-energy production by Sligo Grammar School at Hawk’s Well Theatre, based on the cheerleading film with catchy pop songs, stunts, and youthful spirit.

Regular Community Events

Cleveragh Junior Parkrun (Sundays: 22 March, 29 March, 5 April, 12 April, 19 April, 26 April): A free, timed 2km fun run/walk for children aged 4-14 (with adults supervising) at Cleveragh Park-encouraging fitness and family participation.
Cliffoney Country Market (first and third Sundays of the month, e.g., 22 March, 5 April, 19 April): A recurring market at Cliffoney Hall featuring local artisan crafts, fresh produce, baked goods, and community stalls.

Annual & recurring festivals

County Sligo, known as “Yeats Country,” boasts a vibrant calendar heavily influenced by its literary history, traditional music, and world-class surfing coastline.

Sligo Baroque Music Festival (January): A weekend of high-quality performances featuring international and local musicians specializing in 17th and 18th-century music.
Sligo Drama Festival (March): A competitive amateur drama festival held at the Hawk’s Well Theatre, attracting top theatrical groups from across Ireland.
Saint Patrick’s Day Festival (March): A large-scale carnival parade in Sligo Town along with community celebrations in Enniscrone and Ballymote.
Sligo Feis Ceoil (April): A long-running competitive music and arts festival showcasing young talent in traditional and classical disciplines.
Sligo Walking Festival (May): A series of guided hikes exploring the iconic Benbulben mountain, Knocknarea, and the coastal paths of the Wild Atlantic Way.
CosCos Sean Nós Festival (May): A celebration of traditional “old style” Irish dance and song held in the village of Rathcormac.
Sligo Jazz Project (July): An international jazz summer school and festival featuring world-class tutors and nightly concerts across Sligo Town.
Cairde Sligo Arts Festival (July): A multi-disciplinary arts celebration featuring street theatre, circus performances, visual arts, and world music.
Tubbercurry Old Fair Day Festival (August): A five-day heritage festival in South Sligo culminating in a massive traditional fair day showcasing old crafts and livestock.
Yeats International Summer School (July/August): A prestigious global gathering of scholars and fans of W.B. Yeats, featuring lectures, poetry readings, and cultural tours.
Sligo Summer Festival (August): A high-energy music festival held in the heart of Sligo Town featuring popular Irish rock and pop acts.
Sligo Festival of Baroque Soloists (September): An intimate series of concerts focusing on solo instrumentalists and vocalists in historic venues.
Sligo Live (October): A major folk, roots, and indie music festival held over the October Bank Holiday, attracting international headliners and thousands of fans.
Blacknight Festival of Fire (October): A spectacular Samhain celebration in Sligo Town featuring fire performances, percussion, and street processions.
Enniscrone Christmas Market & Ice Rink (December): A coastal festive celebration featuring local artisan stalls and family entertainment by the sea.