Irish Music Festivals 2026/2027: Month-by-Month Calendar

Music festivals in Ireland range from huge summer weekends to intimate trad sessions, jazz festivals and classical concerts.

The calendar covers just about every genre, with major events like Electric Picnic sitting alongside dedicated festivals for folk, electronic, rock, roots and traditional Irish music.

This guide covers the remaining Irish music festivals in 2026 before moving into the confirmed and expected dates for 2027.

Remaining music festivals in Ireland in 2026

The Irish music festival calendar quietens down considerably as the year draws to a close, but there are still several events worth keeping an eye on.

October brings some big-name jazz, folk and indie festivals, while November and December have a much smaller selection of live music festivals and events.

October, November, and December

As summer fades away, the number of Irish music festivals taking place begins to dwindle.

However, some of the most popular music festivals Ireland has to offer take place in the final quarter of the year.

1. Cork Folk Festival (Cork, October 8th – 11th)

One of Cork’s longest-running music festivals, the Cork Folk Festival fills venues across the city with folk and traditional music. The programme mixes headline concerts with trad sessions and plenty of free performances.

2. Joyce Brothers Music Festival (Limerick, October 8th – 11th)

The Joyce Brothers Music Festival sees Kilfinane host four days of traditional music, song and dance. Along with concerts, sessions and workshops, there’s a walk to the Joyce family homestead in nearby Glenosheen.

3. Féile Nasc (Dublin, October 9th – 11th)

Féile Nasc is a three-day folk and trad festival spread across Dublin. Paddy Casey, Liam Ó Maonlaí and The Bonny Men are among the names on the 2026 bill, alongside open sessions, comedy and a Pop-Up Gaeltacht.

4. Sligo Live (Sligo, October 17th – November 1st)

Sligo Live takes over venues around Sligo with a mix of folk, roots, indie and traditional music. The locally run festival has a knack for mixing established performers with emerging acts over its lengthy autumn programme.

5. Patrick O’Keeffe Traditional Music Festival (Kerry, October 22nd – 26th)

Castleisland goes all-in on trad for the Patrick O’Keeffe Festival, with five days of concerts, workshops and sessions across the town. If fiddles, flutes and packed pub sessions are your thing, you’ll be well catered for.

6. Cork Jazz Festival (Cork, October 22nd – 26th)

Cork Jazz Festival is one of the heavy hitters of Ireland’s autumn festival calendar. The city comes alive with everything from big-ticket concerts to intimate gigs and pub sessions – and you don’t need to be a jazz aficionado to enjoy it.

7. Leaves Festival of Writing and Music (Laois, November 4th – 8th)

Leaves is one for those who like their festivals with a bit more than music. Held in Portlaoise, the programme combines live performances with literature and film, showcasing both established names and emerging talent.

8. Ennis Trad Fest (Clare, November 5th – 9th)

Ennis Trad Fest is five days of organised musical mayhem, with concerts, céilís, trad discos and a session trail that spills into pubs across the town. In 2026, the festival celebrates its 32nd year.

9. Sound of Belfast (Belfast, November 5th – 15th)

Sound of Belfast turns the spotlight on the city’s home-grown music scene for 11 days. Gigs and special events take place across Belfast, with everything from electronic and hip-hop to rock and trad on the programme.

10. Galway TradFest (Galway, November 9th – 15th)

Galway TradFest serves up a week of traditional Irish music, song and dance across the city. Expect concerts, lively sessions and masterclasses along with events designed to get the next generation of trad musicians involved.

11. Fidelio Trio Winter Chamber Music Festival (Dublin, November 27th – 29th)

If muddy fields and camping aren’t your idea of festival fun, the Fidelio Trio Winter Chamber Music Festival offers a rather more civilised alternative. The three-day Dublin festival mixes classical chamber music with contemporary works and new compositions.

12. Other Voices (Kerry, November 28th – December 1st)

Few Irish music festivals have a setting quite like Other Voices. Each December, musicians and music fans descend on Dingle for intimate performances in venues around the town, including the famous sessions in St James’ Church.

13. Scoil Gheimhridh Ghaoth Dobhair (Donegal, December 27th – January 1st)

If you’ve had your fill of Christmas leftovers by December 27th, Scoil Gheimhridh Ghaoth Dobhair offers an excellent escape. Held in the Donegal Gaeltacht, its programme is packed with traditional music, concerts, sessions, workshops, song and dance.

Music festivals in Ireland in 2027

The 2027 calendar kicks off with plenty of trad, folk and classical festivals before the larger outdoor events start appearing from late spring.

Below, you’ll find music festivals in Ireland in 2027 arranged by month, with confirmed dates where available and likely dates for festivals yet to announce.

A note on dates: Festivals marked ‘likely’ are still waiting on confirmed 2027 dates. I’ve based these on their usual calendar slot and will update them as announcements are made.

January, February, and March

The first three months of 2027 are particularly strong for trad, folk and classical music, with some excellent music festivals in Ireland taking place from Belfast and Derry to Doolin, Dublin and Killarney.

Note: This guide only covers Irish music festivals. For everything from food and comedy to arts and cultural events, see our guide to the best festivals in Ireland in 2027.

1. Folk iN Fusion (Belfast, likely January 12th)

Folk iN Fusion is a one-night celebration of folk, roots and Americana at Belfast’s Waterfront Hall. Previous bills have mixed Nashville heavyweights with home-grown Northern Irish talent, making this one to watch when the 2027 line-up lands.

2. Out to Lunch (Belfast, January 17th – 30th)

Belfast’s long-running Out to Lunch brightens up the depths of January with music, comedy, theatre and more in the Cathedral Quarter. More than 100 events usually make the programme, with established names sharing the bill with emerging performers.

3. TradFest (Dublin, January 20th – 24th)

TradFest is one of the heavy hitters of Ireland’s winter music calendar. Around 100 acts perform across 18 venues, and it’s the settings that make this one special, with past concerts held everywhere from St Patrick’s Cathedral to Malahide Castle.

4. Music for Galway Midwinter Festival (Galway, January 22nd – 24th)

Classical music takes centre stage at the three-day Music for Galway. Performances are held in some impressive Galway venues, including St Nicholas’ Collegiate Church and the Hardiman Ballroom.

5. A Sliver of Light (Doolin, likely January 22nd – 24th)

A Sliver of Light is a small winter festival at Hotel Doolin that mixes live music and arts with outdoor experiences around West Clare. It’s a considerably cosier prospect than standing ankle-deep in a field at a summer festival.

6. Féile na Tána (Louth, January 24th – February 1st)

Féile na Tána celebrates Irish traditional music, song and dance around the Cooley Peninsula. The 13th edition runs for nine days, with concerts, sessions and workshops in the heart of the Oriel region.

7. John McFadden Festival (Mayo, January 29th – 31st)

Newport celebrates Mayo’s musical traditions during the John McFadden Festival. The three-day programme typically combines concerts and pub sessions with céilís, workshops, dancing, talks and events for younger musicians.

8. WexTrad (Wexford, January 29th – February 1st)

WexTrad takes over Wexford Town for a long weekend of traditional Irish music, song and dance. There are stage shows, pub gigs, youth sessions and a Tradtrail – handy if your preferred concert venue comes with a pint.

9. Imbolc International Music Festival (Derry, likely February 1st – 7th)

Derry’s Imbolc Festival puts traditional and contemporary folk music at the heart of its programme. Events are spread around the city’s Cultural Quarter, with concerts joined by workshops, talks and other cultural events.

10. The Bowie Festival (Dublin, February 21st – 28th)

If you know your Ziggy Stardust from your Thin White Duke, the Bowie festival should be on your radar. The week-long celebration goes well beyond tribute gigs, with talks, screenings and other events exploring Bowie’s music and legacy.

11. Ortús Chamber Music Festival (Cork, February 21st – 28th)

Ortús Chamber Music Festival is one for classical music fans, with talented young musicians from Ireland and abroad performing in venues across Cork City and county. Violin, cello, viola and piano all feature heavily across the week.

12. Russell Festival Weekend (Clare, February 26th – 28th)

Doolin’s Russell Festival Weekend honours local musical legends Micho, Packie and Gussie Russell. Held on the last full weekend of February, it’s a proper trad weekend in a village where finding a good music session is rarely a struggle.

13. The Gathering Festival of Music & Arts (Killarney, March 3rd – 7th)

The Gathering packs concerts, céilís, sessions, workshops and a late-night festival club into five days at the Gleneagle. Explore the Ring of Kerry by day, then swap the scenery for some of Ireland’s finest trad musicians by night.

14. Finding a Voice (Clonmel, March 4th – 8th)

Clonmel’s Finding a Voice puts music by women composers firmly centre stage. Founded by sisters Róisín and Clíona Maher, the festival pairs works from centuries past with contemporary compositions performed by Irish and international musicians.

15. Fingal International Festival of Voices (Dublin, March 11th – 14th)

Balbriggan becomes a meeting point for singers from Ireland and further afield during the Fingal International Festival of Voices. The four-day programme combines concerts and competitions with performances around the town, alongside food and craft events.

16. International Pan Celtic Festival (Carlow, March 30th – April 3rd)

Six Celtic nations descend on Carlow for the International Pan Celtic Festival. Music and song are a big part of the five-day celebration, alongside the languages and cultures of Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Brittany, Cornwall and the Isle of Man.

April and May

April and May are when the Irish music festival calendar really starts to gather pace, with the May Bank Holiday weekend particularly busy.

There’s a hefty mix to choose from, with trad in Connemara and Clare, jazz in Derry and Bray, roots in Kilkenny and classical and contemporary music festivals in Dublin, Offaly and Wicklow.

1. Clifden Traditional Music Festival (Galway, likely April 1st – 4th)

Clifden becomes a trad hub for the Clifden Traditional Music Festival, with Irish music, song and dance spilling into venues around the town. Concerts and workshops are mixed with plenty of pub sessions (as if you need another excuse for a spring weekend in Connemara!).

2. New Music Dublin (Dublin, April 8th – 11th)

New Music Dublin is Ireland’s major festival of contemporary music, with the National Concert Hall at the centre of the action. The programme champions new work from Irish and international composers and performers – so don’t arrive expecting a weekend of greatest hits.

3. Cork International Choral Festival (Cork, April 28th – May 2nd)

Running since 1954, the Cork International Choral Festival draws choirs from Ireland and around the world to the city. The five-day programme includes concerts, competitions and performances in venues around Cork, with the prestigious Fleischmann International Trophy one of the festival’s big events.

4. City of Derry Jazz Festival (Derry, April 29th – May 3rd)

Derry goes all-in on jazz for the City of Derry Jazz Festival, with performances popping up in pubs, hotels and venues across the city. The Guinness Jazz Trail is a major part of the weekend, so you can see plenty without spending your entire trip marching between ticketed concerts.

5. Birr Festival of Music (Offaly, likely April 29th – May 3rd)

Birr Festival of Music gives classical music a less buttoned-up setting, mixing formal concerts with pop-ups, workshops, outdoor performances and music on the streets. It’s curated by Irish pianist and conductor Niall Kinsella, with events spread across Birr and the surrounding area.

6. Cup of Tae Festival (Donegal, April 30th – May 3rd)

Ardara celebrates one of its own during the Cup of Tae Festival, held in honour of renowned local fiddler John ‘The Tae’ Gallagher. There’s a strong emphasis on traditional music, with concerts, workshops and sessions filling the pubs – not that Ardara needs much encouragement in that department.

7. Smithwick’s Kilkenny Roots Festival (Kilkenny, April 30th – May 3rd)

Kilkenny Roots Festival has been drawing Americana and roots fans to the city since 1998. More than 30 venues get involved, with a hefty mix of ticketed concerts and free pub gigs covering folk, blues, bluegrass, rockabilly and more.

8. Ballydehob Jazz Festival (Cork, likely April 30th – May 3rd)

The Ballydehob Jazz Festival is considerably more eccentric than your average jazz weekend. Along with live music and a free music trail, previous programmes have featured swing dancing, circus performances, markets and the wonderfully bonkers New Orleans-style Jazz Funeral Parade through the village.

9. Bray Jazz Festival (Wicklow, April 30th – May 3rd)

Bray Jazz Festival has been bringing international jazz musicians to the Wicklow seaside town for more than two decades. The main concerts are complemented by smaller gigs around Bray, making this a good pick if you’d rather move between smaller venues than spend three days staring at one enormous festival stage.

10. Greenfields (Laois, April 30th – May 2nd)

Greenfields moves to Ballykilcavan Estate in Stradbally for 2027, with more than 90 acts due to perform across five stages. It’s a camping and glamping affair, with the line-up leaning heavily towards Irish music – previous editions have featured Sharon Shannon, The Whistlin’ Donkeys and The Fureys.

11. West Wicklow Chamber Music Festival (Wicklow, likely May 14th – 23rd)

The West Wicklow Chamber Music Festival takes place in some rather spectacular surroundings near the Blessington Lakes. Classical and contemporary works feature across the programme, with Russborough House traditionally serving as one of the festival’s main venues.

12. Fleadh Nua (Clare, likely May 22nd – 31st)

Ennis has hosted Fleadh Nua since 1974, and the festival has grown into 10 days devoted to traditional Irish music, song and dance. More than 100 events usually feature, from concerts and céilís to pub sessions, workshops, street performances and sean-nós dancing.

13. Doonbeg International Jazz Festival (Clare, likely May 28th – 31st)

Doonbeg International Jazz Festival swaps enormous stages for pubs and smaller venues around this little village on Clare’s Atlantic coast. Recent editions have packed dozens of performances into the bank-holiday weekend.

June

June is when the summer festival season properly gets going, with some of the biggest music festivals in Ireland returning as the days hit their longest.

There’s a serious amount of choice, from tiny island festivals and trad weekends to electronic, folk, classical and full-blown camping festivals.

1. Galway Folk Festival (Galway, likely June 2nd – 6th)

Galway Folk Festival sees folk, roots and traditional music take over venues around Galway City. Along with the main concerts, you’ll usually find free performances and pop-up sessions around town, so you don’t necessarily need a ticket for every night to get a taste of the festival.

2. Open Ear Festival (Cork, likely June 3rd – 6th)

Getting to Open Ear Festival is part of the adventure, with this small independent festival held on Sherkin Island off the coast of West Cork. There’s just one stage, so there are no timetable clashes or frantic sprints across a field. The line-up leans towards experimental and electronic music, with Irish artists particularly well represented.

3. Rory Gallagher International Festival (Donegal, hopefully June 3rd – 6th)

Ballyshannon’s Rory Gallagher Festival draws thousands of blues and rock fans for concerts, pub gigs and free street performances. Its 2027 return is in doubt after organisers lost over €283,000 when Tickets.ie collapsed – here’s hoping they manage to bring it back this coming year.

4. Dingle Summer Music Festival (Kerry, June 3rd – 7th)

Dingle Summer Music Festival swaps the big outdoor stages for classical, choral and traditional music in venues around Dingle, making this a good one to combine with a few days exploring the peninsula.

5. Night and Day Festival (Roscommon, June 4th – 6th)

Night and Day returns to Lough Key Forest Park in Boyle with three days of music surrounded by woodland and the shores of Lough Key. The line-up tends to mix established Irish names with newer acts, while a dedicated family area makes this one of the more approachable camping festivals if you’re bringing younger festival-goers along.

6. AVA Festival (Belfast, likely June 4th – 5th)

Belfast’s AVA Festival is firmly aimed at electronic music fans, bringing DJs and live acts to the Titanic Slipways. It’s one of the country’s best-established electronic festivals, with a mix of Irish and international acts.

7. Éalú Le Grá (Galway, likely June 4th – 7th)

Éalú Le Grá is a boutique camping festival at Ballinderry Park in East Galway, with music and DJs joined by performance, workshops and wellness. Glamping is also available for those whose relationship with tents has deteriorated over the years.

8. When Next We Meet (Tipperary, likely June 4th – 6th)

When Next We Meet turns the gardens of Raheen House in Clonmel into a compact three-stage festival. The focus is firmly on Ireland’s alternative and independent music scene.

9. Forbidden Fruit (Dublin, June 5th – 6th)

Forbidden Fruit is one of Dublin’s big summer music weekends, held in the grounds of the Irish Museum of Modern Art at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham. Electronic, hip-hop, dance and alternative acts dominate the bill, and there’s one considerable advantage over most major Irish festivals: you can sleep in an actual bed in Dublin afterwards.

10. Dublin International Chamber Music Festival (Dublin, likely early June)

The Dublin International Chamber Music Festival has one major advantage over your average classical music festival: some seriously impressive venues. Performances have been staged everywhere from the National Botanic Gardens to historic houses around Dublin, with leading Irish and international chamber musicians on the programme.

11. Westport Folk and Bluegrass Festival (Mayo, June 10th – 13th)

Westport Folk and Bluegrass Festival has grown into one of Ireland’s best small festivals for bluegrass, folk and old-time music. International and Irish musicians play concerts and smaller sessions around Westport, and the town itself makes a very handy base when you need some fresh air between gigs.

12. Beyond the Pale (Wicklow, June 11th – 13th)

Beyond the Pale takes over Glendalough Estate for three days of music, food, art and camping. The line-up stretches well beyond one genre, with the Wicklow setting hard to bate!

13. Clifden Summerfest (Galway, likely June 11th – 13th)

Clifden swaps trad sessions for a much bigger outdoor party during Clifden Summerfest. Recent bills have leaned heavily towards crowd-pleasing Irish acts, with the likes of Derek Ryan, Mundy, Paddy Casey and The Whistlin’ Donkeys appearing on the line-up.

14. The Farmer’s Bash (Belfast, likely June 12th)

If country music is your thing, The Farmer’s Bash is one of the biggest dates on the Northern Irish calendar. Thousands pile into Ormeau Park for a huge outdoor show mixing country, folk and party favourites. Subtle it is not, but that’s the point.

15. TuneFest Dungarvan (Waterford, likely June 17th – 21st)

TuneFest Dungarvan is a five-day celebration of traditional Irish music in one of Waterford’s liveliest seaside towns. Concerts are joined by workshops, pub sessions, busking and outdoor performances, so there’s plenty to dip into without spending the entire festival inside a venue.

16. Fastnet Maritime and Folk Festival (Cork, likely June 19th – 20th)

Ballydehob turns its attention to songs of the sea during the Fastnet Maritime and Folk Festival. Sea shanties and folk music are the backbone of the weekend, with pub sessions, street entertainment and a fundraising concert adding to the programme. Maritime knitwear is optional.

17. West Cork Chamber Music Festival (Cork, June 25th – July 4th)

Bantry welcomes world-class musicians for the West Cork Chamber Music Festival, one of Ireland’s major classical music events. The programme runs for 10 days and packs concerts into venues around the town, with Bantry House providing a particularly memorable backdrop for some performances.

July

July is one of the busiest months for music festivals in Ireland, with everything from huge outdoor weekends to trad, folk, family and arts festivals competing for space in the calendar.

There are particularly strong options in Galway and Donegal, while some of the country’s biggest camping festivals start appearing towards the end of the month.

1. Stendhal Festival (Derry, July 1st – 3rd)

Stendhal Festival takes over Ballymully Cottage Farm near Limavady with music, comedy, art and family entertainment. It has grown considerably since its early days but remains independently run.

2. Kaleidoscope Festival (Wicklow, July 2nd – 4th)

Kaleidoscope is built with families in mind, combining live music with a massive amount of entertainment for children. There’s an important change for 2027, too: the festival is moving from Russborough House to Glendalough Estate.

3. Longitude (Dublin, likely July 3rd – 4th)

Longitude is one of Dublin’s biggest outdoor music events, with Marlay Park hosting a line-up that traditionally leans towards hip-hop, dance and major international acts. It’s a day festival rather than a camping weekend, which means considerably less time spent wondering where you left your tent.

4. Liberty Music Festival (Tipperary, likely July 3rd – 4th)

Liberty Music Festival in Thurles takes the tribute act concept and runs enthusiastically with it. Thousands attend across the weekend, with bands recreating some of the biggest names in rock and pop. A useful option if your favourite band either broke up years ago or now charges €200 a ticket…

5. Diamond Hill Music Festival (Galway, likely July 8th – 11th)

Letterfrack, in the heart of Connemara, hosts the Diamond Hill Music Festival each summer. Live music is the main attraction, but the setting is a big part of the appeal. Connemara National Park and Diamond Hill are right beside the village if you fancy earning your evening pint first.

6. South Galway Bay Music Festival (Galway, likely July 9th – 11th)

The South Galway Bay Music Festival brings three nights of live music to Ballinderreen in south Galway. It’s a straightforward weekend of tunes and a good option if you’re looking for something smaller in July.

7. Earagail Arts Festival (Donegal, July 10th – 24th)

Earagail Arts Festival spreads across County Donegal rather than squeezing everything into one festival site. Music forms a good chunk of its programme, with Irish, folk, traditional and international performers joined by theatre, circus and other arts events in venues and some spectacular outdoor locations.

8. Galway International Arts Festival (Galway, July 12th – 25th)

Galway International Arts Festival isn’t exclusively a music festival, but its live music programme is far too substantial to ignore. Major concerts run alongside theatre, comedy, visual art and street performances for two weeks, with the Big Top hosting many of the headline acts.

9. Forest Fest (Laois, July 23rd – 25th)

Forest Fest sees Emo Village in County Laois host three days of live music. The festival has built a reputation for line-ups heavy on recognisable Irish and international acts, with plenty on offer for families, too.

10. Belfast TradFest (Belfast, likely July 25th – August 1st)

Belfast TradFest fills the city with traditional music, song and dance for a week. Concerts and sessions are only part of it. There’s also a hefty programme of workshops if you’d rather pick up a fiddle than simply listen to one.

11. Ballyshannon Folk & Traditional Music Festival (Donegal, July 29th – August 1st)

There’s an extra reason to visit the Ballyshannon Folk & Traditional Music Festival in 2027: it celebrates its 50th anniversary. The long-running festival brings folk and traditional musicians to Ireland’s oldest town for concerts and sessions over the August Bank Holiday weekend.

12. All Together Now (Waterford, July 29th – August 1st)

All Together Now takes over Curraghmore Estate for one of the biggest weekends of the Irish festival summer. Music is only part of the attraction, with comedy, spoken word, food and other entertainment dotted around the vast estate. It’s an adults-only festival, so this is one to save for after you’ve found a babysitter.

13. In The Meadows (Dublin, likely July)

In The Meadows brings a decidedly alternative line-up to the grounds of the Irish Museum of Modern Art in Kilmainham. Previous bills have included Iggy Pop, Gilla Band, The Scratch and Sprints, making this one to watch if indie, punk and alternative music feature heavily in your Spotify history.

August

August has one of the most varied festival line-ups of the year, with trad sessions, blues gigs, chamber music and huge outdoor events all packed into the same few weeks.

Belfast hosts both the Fleadh Cheoil and Emerge at opposite ends of the month, while Electric Picnic provides the big end-of-summer blowout in Stradbally.

1. Fleadh Cheoil (Belfast, August 1st – 8th)

The Fleadh Cheoil is the big one for traditional Irish music, with Belfast hosting musicians, singers and dancers from across Ireland and further afield for eight days. The competitions are at the heart of the Fleadh, but you don’t need to attend a single one to enjoy it. Sessions, concerts and street performances will be happening all over the city.

2. Howth Roots and Blues (Dublin, likely August 6th – 8th)

Howth swaps seafood and cliff walks for guitars and blues during the three-day Roots and Blues festival in the seaside village. Irish roots and blues musicians make up much of the programme, with gigs spread across venues around Howth and a mix of free performances and ticketed shows.

3. Chamber Music on Valentia (Kerry, likely August 13th – 16th)

Valentia Island provides a fairly spectacular backdrop for this small classical music festival off the Kerry coast. Concerts are held in venues around the island, with workshops and other events joining the performances. Pair it with the Skellig Ring and you’ve the makings of a fine few days in Kerry.

4. Masters of Tradition (Cork, August 18th – 22nd)

Bantry hosts five days of exceptional traditional music during Masters of Tradition, curated by renowned fiddle player Martin Hayes. The emphasis is firmly on musicianship, with established performers joined by emerging talent in venues around the West Cork town.

5. Another Love Story (Meath, August 20th – 22nd)

Another Love Story is deliberately kept small, taking over the grounds and woodlands around Killyon Manor for a weekend of music, camping and general merriment. Irish and international acts provide the soundtrack, while talks, swimming, yoga and other activities fill the gaps. Think country manor party rather than enormous festival field.

6. Audio Garden Festival (Kildare, August 20th – 22nd)

Audio Garden is a small independent electronic music festival held beside Burtown House & Gardens near Athy. Three stages cover techno, house, trance, jungle and psytrance, with Irish underground DJs and crews heavily represented. If smaller dancefloors sound better than staring at a DJ from half a kilometre away, this one’s worth investigating.

7. Electric Picnic (Laois, August 27th – 29th)

Electric Picnic needs little introduction. Tens of thousands descend on Stradbally Hall for three days of music, comedy, theatre, food and assorted festival madness. The line-up stretches across genres and multiple stages, and it’s the closest thing Ireland has to a Glastonbury-style festival experience.

8. Desmond O’Halloran Music Weekend (Galway, likely August 27th – 29th)

Inishbofin celebrates the life and music of island musician Desmond O’Halloran over the final weekend of August. Trad sessions fill the island’s pubs and hotels, with a memorial concert forming the centrepiece of the weekend. Getting there involves a ferry from Cleggan, which is considerably more interesting than queuing for a festival shuttle bus.

9. Emerge (Belfast, likely August 28th – 29th)

Emerge turns Boucher Road Playing Fields into one enormous dancefloor for one of Northern Ireland’s biggest electronic music weekends. House, techno and other electronic genres dominate, with major international DJs appearing alongside home-grown talent. It’s quite the contrast to the trad sessions that kick off Belfast’s August calendar.

September

September sees the return of some excellent smaller music festivals in Ireland, with everything from blues in Monaghan and folk on Achill Island to electronic music in Louth.

There are also some great options in Cork, including the Clonakilty Guitar Festival and Sounds from a Safe Harbour, which returns in 2027.

1. Harvest Time Rhythm & Blues Festival (Monaghan, likely September 2nd – 6th)

Monaghan Town becomes a haven for blues fans during the Harvest Time Rhythm & Blues Festival. The long-running event draws Irish and international musicians for several days of concerts, pub gigs and late-night sessions. A good option if you prefer your festivals with plenty of guitars and without the camping.

2. Dún Laoghaire Folk Festival (Dublin, likely September 8th – 12th)

The Dún Laoghaire Folk Festival takes place at the Pavilion Theatre, with an interesting mix of Irish and international folk musicians on the bill. Previous programmes have featured Andy Irvine, Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy and Brigid Mae Power, making this one worth watching if you’re into folk music that ventures beyond the traditional.

3. Westport Festival of Chamber Music (Mayo, likely September 9th – 12th)

Westport’s annual chamber music festival brings accomplished classical musicians from Ireland and abroad to the Mayo town. Concerts are held in venues including Westport Town Hall Theatre and Holy Trinity Church, with the programme ranging from familiar classical works to contemporary compositions.

4. Dooagh Folk Festival (Mayo, likely September 10th – 12th)

Achill Island provides a spectacular setting for the Dooagh Folk Festival. The 2026 line-up included Damien Dempsey, Dervish and Lúnasa, with concerts, workshops and pub sessions spread across Dooagh and Keel.

5. Fuinneamh Festival (Louth, likely September 11th – 12th)

Fuinneamh is one for electronic music fans. Held at Bellurgan Park near Dundalk, this independent festival combines underground dance music with art installations and immersive experiences. 2027 tickets are already on sale!

6. Clonakilty International Guitar Festival (Cork, likely September 15th – 19th)

Clonakilty turns into ‘Guitartown’ for five days, with performances taking place everywhere from traditional music venues to shops and other unusual spaces around town. The Clonakilty Guitar Festival mixes established musicians with emerging artists, and a large proportion of the programme is free.

7. Drimoleague Singing Festival (Cork, likely September 16th – 19th)

The Drimoleague Singing Festival celebrates traditional singing in West Cork, with a particular emphasis on the unaccompanied voice. Concerts, workshops and singing sessions feature across the weekend, while the popular pub singing competition is one of its more unusual attractions.

8. Bere Island Arts Festival (Cork, September 16th – 19th)

Bere Island Arts Festival combines live music with visual art, performances and cultural events on this small island off the Beara Peninsula. It’s not exclusively a music festival, but the island setting is a sizeable part of its appeal.

9. Sounds from a Safe Harbour (Cork, likely September 16th – 19th)

Sounds from a Safe Harbour is one of Ireland’s more unusual music and arts festivals, bringing together musicians, writers and artists for collaborative performances across Cork City. Previous editions have been curated by an impressive team including Cillian Murphy, Bryce Dessner of The National and Mary Hickson. The emphasis is on original performances and creative collaborations rather than conventional festival headline sets.

October, November, and December

As summer fades away, the number of Irish music festivals taking place begins to dwindle.

However, some of the most popular music festivals Ireland has to offer take place in the final quarter of the year.

1. Cork Folk Festival (Cork, October 7th – 10th)

One of Cork’s longest-running music festivals, the Cork Folk Festival takes over venues across the city with folk and traditional music. Along with the headline concerts, there are trad sessions, smaller gigs and plenty of free performances to dip into.

2. Joyce Brothers Music Festival (Limerick, likely October 7th – 10th)

The Joyce Brothers Music Festival brings four days of traditional music, song and dance to Kilfinane. Concerts and pub sessions make up much of the programme, alongside workshops and a walk to the Joyce family homestead in nearby Glenosheen.

3. Féile Nasc (Dublin, likely October 8th – 10th)

Féile Nasc is a three-day folk and trad festival held across venues in Dublin. Previous line-ups have featured the likes of Paddy Casey, Liam Ó Maonlaí and The Bonny Men, with comedy, open sessions and a Pop-Up Gaeltacht, too.

4. Sligo Live (Sligo, likely October 21st – 31st)

Sligo Live spreads across venues in Sligo Town over several days, with folk, roots, indie and traditional music all featuring. Its programme tends to pair well-known Irish and international performers with emerging acts across ticketed concerts and smaller gigs.

5. Patrick O’Keeffe Traditional Music Festival (Kerry, likely October 21st – 25th)

Castleisland goes all-in on trad during the Patrick O’Keeffe Festival. Concerts and workshops form part of the programme, but the pub sessions are a major part of the appeal, with musicians gathering in venues throughout the town.

6. Cork Jazz Festival (Cork, likely October 21st – 25th)

Cork Jazz Festival is one of the heavy hitters of Ireland’s autumn festival calendar. Big-ticket concerts draw the headlines, but much of the atmosphere comes from the smaller gigs and pub performances taking place across Cork City throughout the weekend.

7. Leaves Festival of Writing and Music (Laois, likely November 3rd – 7th)

Leaves mixes music with literature, film and the wider arts in Portlaoise. Live performances sit alongside readings, talks and other events, with both established names and emerging Irish talent featuring across the programme.

8. Ennis Trad Fest (Clare, likely November 4th – 8th)

Ennis Trad Fest packs concerts, céilís, trad discos and workshops into five days, but the session trail is the real draw for many. Pubs throughout Ennis get involved, making this one of the livelier traditional music weekends on the autumn calendar.

9. Sound of Belfast (Belfast, likely November 4th – 14th)

Sound of Belfast puts the spotlight firmly on the city’s music scene. Events take place in venues across Belfast, with everything from electronic and hip-hop to rock and trad represented and a strong emphasis on artists from Northern Ireland.

10. Galway TradFest (Galway, likely November 8th – 14th)

Galway TradFest brings a week of traditional Irish music, song and dance to venues across Galway City. Concerts and sessions are joined by masterclasses and events for younger musicians, giving the festival a strong emphasis on both performance and participation.

11. Fidelio Trio Winter Chamber Music Festival (Dublin, likely November 26th – 28th)

Fidelio Trio Winter Chamber Music Festival is a three-day Dublin festival centred on chamber music. Its programme mixes established classical works with contemporary compositions and new music.

12. Other Voices (Kerry, likely November 26th – 28th)

Few Irish music festivals have a setting quite like Other Voices. Musicians and music fans descend on Dingle for performances in venues around the town, with the coveted shows in St James’ Church at the heart of the festival.

13. Scoil Gheimhridh Ghaoth Dobhair (Donegal, likely December 27th – January 1st)

Scoil Gheimhridh Ghaoth Dobhair provides a fine antidote to the post-Christmas lull in the Donegal Gaeltacht. Traditional music is at the heart of the programme, with concerts, sessions, workshops, song and dance carrying the festival through to New Year’s Day.