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Irish Independent

Kilkenny Pride Festival 2025: All you need to know about the inaugural four day event

Staring on Thursday, July 24, the Kilkenny Pride Festival will host a variety of events including a festival highlight, Kilkenny's first ever Pride parade, which will light up the streets of Kilkenny city on Saturday July 26. Whether you are a Kilkenny local or just passing through for the day, everyone is invited to the celebrations. With so many events to choose from during the Kilkenny Pride Festival, here are some of our top picks: Kilkenny's first Pride Parade When: Saturday July 26 Kilkenny will host its first Pride parade on Saturday, July 26, from 1 pm. The parade route sets off from the city's iconic Kilkenny Castle at 1.30pm, proceeding from Parade Plaza towards High Street and the Market Yard, before concluding at the Butler Gallery at Evan's Home on John's Quay. An Garda Síochána will accompany the procession to manage traffic. "We want to show the world what a welcoming city Kilkenny is,' said co-chair of Kilkenny Pride, Alan Slattery. 'For a destination renowned for its festivals, it's high time there was a Kilkenny Pride festival here too. "We're looking forward to celebrating a lively, positive event in the city, and we hope to see lots of people lining the streets, whether they're walking in the parade or cheering from the side lines." As the last county in Ireland to host a Pride march, this parade in particular is a momentous occasion for Ireland as it means that every county, in every corner of the country now has a parade dedicated to celebrating LGBTQI+ citizens. ADVERTISEMENT 'I heard that Roscommon and Kilkenny were the only counties in Ireland not to have a Pride festival,' Alan told the Irish Independent. 'A week after I found that out, I heard that Roscommon were now organising a Pride festival and parade. "As Kilkenny was now the only county without a Pride festival and parade, we knew we had to act. We couldn't let Kilkenny be the only county in Ireland without a Pride festival or Pride parade.' Kilkenny Pride family fun day When: Saturday July 26 Following the parade, everyone is welcome to the free family fun day, in association with Butler Gallery, Ossory Youth, and Kilkenny County Council. Organisers advise those attending "bring a blanket and settle into the gardens at Butler Gallery" to enjoy an afternoon of family-friendly fun, sponsored by State Street with performances from Seafall, MARYANN, local poet Samantha Joyce, Antanna, as well as bubbles, face painting, a silks performer and more. "We hope that this festival and parade will grow into an annual celebration, one that belongs to the whole community, where everyone has the opportunity to get involved and feel part of it,' added Alan. 'We are excited to unveil our plans for the upcoming Pride celebration." Nerd Pub Quiz: Pride Edition When: Thursday July 24 Opening night of the Kilkenny Pride Festival will see Kyteler's Inn in Kilkenny City host the Pride edition of the Nerd Pub Quiz. Doors open at 7pm with the quiz starting at 7.30pm. Tables are free to enter and Kilkenny Pride will be collecting donations to help fund the pride weekend. Karaoke night at Biddy Early's When: Thursday July 24 Also taking place on opening night is a karaoke night at Biddy Early's. Doors open at 9pm and entry is free. Kilkenny's Comedy Pride When: Thursday July 24 The spotlight turns to comedy as the Kilkenny Home Rule Club hosts Kilkenny's Comedy Pride, supported by Cartoon Saloon. The evening features headliner Gearóid Farrelly, recently seen on RTÉ's Dancing with the Stars, joined by popular returning performers Sinéad Walsh and Kate Feeney. Drag & Draw When: Friday July 25 On Friday, the Butler Gallery presents Drag & Draw, an 18+ life drawing class that blends art and performance, with drag artists as models. The session is suitable for beginners and experienced artists. Pride After Dark When: Friday July 25 and Saturday July 26 Walsh's Toyota brings Pride After Dark to Cleere's Theatre on both Friday and Saturday night from 8pm. Friday night will feature Mis White and DJ Eddie B, while Roo Honeychild, and Pól Pogba will all take to the stage on Saturday night. Tickets are €20. Queer Céilí When: Saturday July 26 Fennelly's of Callan invites all to enjoy an evening of ceol, craic agus damhsa at Queer Céilí, featuring live music from Cré and guests. The event starts at 7pm and runs until 10pm with tickets €10. Barbecue and open mic session When: Sunday July 27 The festival concludes on a relaxed note with a barbecue on Sunday, sponsored by Lighthouse Studios, followed by an open mic session held in collaboration with Cult Collective at the Kilkenny Home Rule Club. Kilkenny Youth Pride When: Various dates during the festival The Kilkenny Youth Pride Committee (Ossory Youth) has planned youth-focused events as part of Kilkenny's Pride festival, including an improv show by Dreamstuff Youth Theatre in Ossory Youth on July 24 for all ages. A film screening of But I'm a Cheerleader will be held in Young Irish Film Makers for ages 15 to 21 on July 25. While a pre-parade brunch will be held in Ossory Youth on July 26 for ages 14 to 21 with lots of food, arts and crafts, face painting, photo ops and music.