August bank holiday weekend event guide - use our interactive map to find out what's on in your county
To find out what's happening near you, click on our interactive map below or read on to get a flavour of some of the events taking place over the long weekend.
One of the biggest occasions of the bank holiday weekend takes place in Wicklow, where all eyes will be on the skies for the Bray Air Display on Saturday. This year's one-day show promises to be a spectacular event, featuring the awe-inspiring skills of world-class pilots who will fill the skies over Bray with thrilling aerobatics and breathtaking formations.
The Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann begins in Wexford town on Sunday and will be officially opened by President Michael D. Higgins at 3pm. This will kick-start seven days of events and competitions in the town, which also welcomes The Waterboys and Gavin James to Live at the Breakwater this Friday and Saturday night.
In the south west, the Cork Pride parade will fill the city with colour, spectacle, and acceptance as thousands march in celebration of visibility, equality, and love on bank holiday Sunday.
While thousands party on at the sold-out All Together Now, plenty more will flock to nearby Waterford city for Ireland's premier summer street party, the annual Spraoi International Street Arts Party. Taking place from Friday to Sunday, August 1-3, the festival boasts an exciting programme of street performers, contemporary circus, music, dance, fireworks, and the unforgettable Spraoi Festival Parade.
And of course, the Galway Races are expected to attract over 130,000 punters as they continue at Ballybrit through to Sunday.
Arts and music
Both the Carlow Fringe Arts Festival and the Cahersiveen Music and Arts Festival in Kerry take place from today until Monday. In Carlow town, the festival will celebrate music, craft, literature, busking and poetry while highlights in Kerry include performances from Clíona Hagan and Kíla plus the Killorglin Pipe Band Parade.
A variety of esteemed Irish artists will take to the stage of Kilkenny's Set Theatre on Sunday to show solidarity with Palestine in a special Gig for Gaza.
Tipperary will mark the long weekend with a Hoolie in the Hills this Saturday and Sunday – the outdoor music festival featuring the likes of Riff Shop, Electrad, The Bogus Pogues and The Dorans, The High Kings, More Power to Your Elbow, The Fogues, Rebel Hearts and Streams of Whiskey.
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Glenties in Donegal will pay homage to its favourite son, Brian Friel (1929-2015), through 'Frieldays – A homecoming 2025-2029', while another talented artist, the harpist Turlough O'Carolan, will be celebrated at the festival and summer school bearing his name in his adopted Roscommon.
TribFest in Kildare will see some of the best national and international tribute acts take to the stage from Friday to Sunday, while AC/DC and Queen tribute acts are among the headliners at the Castlebar Music Festival in Mayo.
Dublin Book Festival returns to the beautiful grounds of Farmleigh in the Phoenix Park for a jam-packed day of storytelling, crafts, music and outdoor fun on Sunday, while Monday will see artists from across Ireland gather in the Treaty City for the Limerick Plein Air Festival. Meanwhile, anyone interest in the past is welcome at the the 34th Annual Ballymote Annual Heritage Weekend in Sligo.
Fun for all the family
If you're looking for laughs, then it makes sense to head along to an event like the Kilmihil Festival of Fun in Clare where a family treasure hunt, street parade and real life knights are all on the bill. Further north, the Newport Grainne Uaile Festival in Mayo is packing boxty-making, sheep-shearing, a pirate panda, trad sessions and plenty more into a busy three days.
Thousands are expected to flock to Athlone for this year's River Festival – beginning this evening with a mythical Ireland street parade. With a carnival, market, face painting and an afternoon of dancing, fun for all the family is guaranteed and, the cherry on top is the town is also hosting Féile na Sionnaine this weekend.
Seaside adventures
Fingers will be crossed for fine weather in many towns and villages across Ireland, with a number of events due to take place on and around the water this weekend.
Wicklow town is getting ready to host the 147th Wicklow Regatta, Ireland's oldest maritime-themed festival. Events will run throughout the weekend, culminating with the regatta proper on bank holiday Monday.
The Festival of the Sea in Galway's Claddaghduff will have it's grand opening later today and features a children's sports day, craft fair, bingo, tour and more.
In Clare, the Scariff Harbour Festival will aim to showcase the many attractions and amenities accessible from the area and will also feature music from Ronan Collins, Mack Fleetwood and The Fureys.
Enjoy the great outdoors
Marvel at the skill of the players and enjoy the marvellous scenery of Louth when the Poc Fada gets under way at Anaverna, Ravensdale, on Monday.
Those who fancy getting stuck into a challenge could consider the Bóthar Na Roamh Adventure Race in Leitrim on Sunday, where fun and pure hardship are guaranteed. In Cavan, the Arva Three Province Festival encourages a variety of outdoor activities, including rafting, water activities, busking and the famous Breffni Three Province Challenge.
For something a little more relaxing – and with the bonus of having a four-legged friend in tow – Cara Rescue Dogs are hosting a dog festival in Laois, helping owners to reconnect with their amazing adopted pups.
And while there's talk of a potential storm on Monday, rural communities will be hoping it's nothing more than a storm in a teacup and doesn't threaten the unique social occasions that are Ireland's agricultural shows. The Tinahely (Wicklow), Castleblayney (Monaghan), Bonniconlon (Mayo), Castlerea (Roscommon), Meenacross (Donegal) and North Tipperary Shows are all due to take place on August bank holiday Monday.
Finally, those who enjoy the smell of oil and engines will no doubt be heading along to the Inistioge Vintage Rally in Kilkenny on Sunday or the Nenagh Classic Car Club Show the following day.
The Birr and District Motor Club Memorial treasure hunt for Tom O'Reilly also takes place on bank holiday Monday and promises to be a fun-filled evening for all the family.
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