Here are the upcoming festivals and events in County Wexford, delivering an exciting array of competitive drama, classical and contemporary music, comedy, family Easter adventures, and food-focused celebrations across venues in Wexford Town, New Ross, Enniscorthy, Gorey, and beyond. This spring period highlights Wexford’s thriving arts scene at the National Opera House, rich heritage, and community spirit, with Easter (3-6 April) inspiring seasonal fun.
Major Festivals
- Wexford Drama Festival (20-27 March): The 62nd edition of this prestigious amateur drama competition at the National Opera House in Wexford Town, featuring a week of diverse plays from groups across Ireland competing for national honours, with nightly performances and adjudications showcasing high-quality theatre.
- New Ross Drama Festival (18-27 March): A concurrent competitive festival at St. Michael’s Theatre in New Ross, offering eight nights of live drama from local and visiting amateur groups, with varied productions and an engaging programme of community theatre.
- Enniscorthy Rockin’ Food & Fruit Festival (1-3 May): A lively Bank Holiday weekend event in Enniscorthy Town blending artisan food and craft markets, live Rock ‘n’ Roll music, family activities, top chefs, street food, and fruit-themed fun-celebrating local producers in a festive, energetic atmosphere.
Easter & Family Events
- Easter Weekend at Wells House & Gardens (3-6 April): A delightful family festival at Wells House & Gardens in Gorey, featuring an Easter Scavenger Hunt (running Easter Saturday to Monday with chocolate rewards for children), adventure trails, the Easter Bunny, new Little Bo Peep Train Rides, workshops, and seasonal outdoor activities in the historic estate.
Music & Performance Highlights
- National Symphony Orchestra Ireland (26 March): A classical concert at the National Opera House in Wexford Town, conducted by David Brophy with uilleann piper Mark Redmond, delivering orchestral masterpieces and traditional Irish elements.
- The Hunchback of Notre Dame (starting 30 March): A musical theatre production by Gorey Musical Society at Gorey Little Theatre, bringing the timeless story to life with powerful songs and dramatic performances.
- The Dubliners Encore (5 April): An official tribute show at the National Opera House celebrating the legacy of iconic Irish folk band The Dubliners, with authentic renditions of their classic hits.
- Hothouse Flowers (18 April): The legendary Irish band performs their soulful rock-traditional fusion full-band set at the National Opera House, promising an energetic and unpredictable live experience.
- New Ross Piano Festival 20th Year Celebration (19 April): A special anniversary concert at the National Opera House honouring classical piano with performances marking two decades of the festival.
Comedy & Variety
- Jarlath Regan: Gas Man (20 March): Irish comedian Jarlath Regan’s new stand-up show at the National Opera House, blending humour and storytelling.
- Al Porter: Algorithm (27 March): High-energy comedy from Al Porter at the National Opera House.
- An Evening with Kaleb Cooper (1 April): A talk and show by the Clarkson’s Farm star at the National Opera House, sharing insights on rural life and farming.
- Neil Delamere: Reinventing The Neil (22 & 25 April): The comedian’s brand-new tour at Gorey Little Theatre, full of fresh material and laughs.
Community & Sport
- Wexford v Kildare Allianz Hurling League (21 March): A Round 7 Division 1b match at Chadwicks Wexford Park, delivering intense GAA action between county teams, following Kildare’s return to divison one after 40 years.
- AdventurHER Walking Series (20 March – 1 May): A six-week recurring outdoor adventure and walking programme for women of all fitness levels in Wexford Town, promoting wellness, community, and scenic exploration.
Annual & recurring festivals
County Wexford, known as the “Model County,” is famous for its opera, maritime heritage, and vibrant fruit-growing traditions. Here are the recurring and annual festivals in County Wexford:
- Enniscorthy Drama Festival (March): A competitive amateur drama festival held at the Riverside Park Hotel, featuring top theatrical groups from across Ireland.
- St. Patrick’s Day Festival (March): Major community parades and family-focused events held in Wexford Town, Enniscorthy, Gorey, and New Ross.
- Wexford Food Family Festival (May): A celebration of local producers held in Enniscorthy, featuring food stalls, cookery demonstrations, and family entertainment.
- Wexford Africa Day (May): A vibrant cultural celebration in Wexford Town featuring African music, dance, food, and workshops.
- Strawberry Culture Festival (June): A long-standing tradition in Enniscorthy celebrating the local strawberry harvest with live music, a street carnival, and the crowning of the “Strawberry Queen.”
- New Ross Piano Festival (September): An internationally acclaimed classical music event bringing world-class pianists to the town for concerts and masterclasses.
- Rockin’ Food & Fruit Festival (August): A massive August Bank Holiday event in Enniscorthy combining 1950s Rock ‘n’ Roll music with high-quality local food and artisan markets.
- Kennedy Summer School (September): A major festival of Irish-American history, politics, and culture held in New Ross, the ancestral home of the JFK family.
- Wexford Festival Opera (October/November): One of the world’s leading opera festivals, specializing in forgotten masterpieces and attracting international audiences to the National Opera House.
- Wexford Spiegeltent Festival (October/November): Running alongside the opera, this eclectic festival features contemporary music, comedy, and cabaret in a traditional Belgian Spiegeltent on the quay.
- Spooktacular at Wells House (October): A popular family Halloween event featuring haunted forest walks, spooky trails, and traditional Celtic storytelling.
- Gorey Market House Festival (July/August): A community-led street festival in Gorey featuring live outdoor concerts, family fun days, and local crafts.
- Eugene O’Neill International Festival of Theatre (October): A celebration of the Nobel Prize-winning playwright’s work, held in New Ross where his father was born.
- Wexford Winterland (November/December): A major festive program featuring “Selskar Under the Stars,” an outdoor ice rink, Christmas markets, and a Santa grotto in the town centre.
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