Events in Europe
TradFest Temple Bar
TradFest Temple Bar is Dublin’s premier festival of traditional Irish music and culture, held each January in the city’s historic Temple Bar district. What began as a small celebration of Irish folk music has grown into a world-class event featuring concerts, pub sessions, and special performances in iconic venues like St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Dublin Castle. The festival showcases both legendary Irish artists and emerging talent, blending tradition and innovation through collaborations that highlight the richness of Celtic sound. With its warm atmosphere, lively streets, and deep musical soul, TradFest Temple Bar captures the heart of Ireland in song.
St. Patrick's Day in Dublin
St. Patrick's Day in Dublin is a grand celebration of Irish culture, held annually on March 17th to honor St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. The day is marked by a large parade through the city, featuring vibrant floats, marching bands, dancers, and performers, celebrating Irish heritage and traditions. The city comes alive with live music, street performances, and parties, while pubs and restaurants serve traditional Irish food and drinks, especially Guinness. Dublin’s St. Patrick's Day festivities attract thousands of visitors from around the world, creating an exciting and lively atmosphere filled with pride and cultural celebration.
International Pan Celtic Festival
International Pan Celtic Festival is a vibrant celebration of Celtic culture, language, and music, held each spring in Ireland, with recent editions hosted in Carlow. The festival brings together participants from the six Celtic nations—Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Brittany, Cornwall, and the Isle of Man—for a week of concerts, dance, storytelling, and cultural exchanges. Highlights include the Pan Celtic Song Contest, colorful parades, and lively sessions that fill the town with the sounds of harps, fiddles, and pipes. Blending shared heritage, modern creativity, and cross-cultural friendship, the International Pan Celtic Festival celebrates the living spirit of the Celtic world.
Enniscorthy Rockin' Food & Fruit Festival
Enniscorthy Rockin’ Food & Fruit Festival is one of Ireland’s most unique summer celebrations, blending culinary delights with vintage rock ’n’ roll energy in the charming town of Enniscorthy, County Wexford. Held each August Bank Holiday weekend, the festival features food markets, cookery demos, artisan tastings, and family activities, alongside live rockabilly music, retro cars, and lively dance events. Streets come alive with the rhythm of the 1950s as visitors enjoy delicious local produce and nostalgic entertainment. Combining Irish hospitality, culinary creativity, and retro flair, the Enniscorthy Rockin’ Food & Fruit Festival offers a flavorful, feel-good experience for all ages.
European Night of Museums
The European Night of Museums is an annual event held across Europe, when museums and cultural institutions open their doors to the public for free or at a reduced price, offering special events, exhibits, and activities that are often not available during regular hours. The event aims to make culture and history more accessible and engaging by offering unique experiences such as guided tours, workshops, live performances, and interactive displays. It attracts thousands of visitors across various cities, providing a chance to explore the art, history, and heritage of Europe in a festive and dynamic atmosphere.
Fleadh Nua
Fleadh Nua (New Festival) is a vibrant celebration of Irish traditional music, song, and dance, held each May in the city of Ennis, County Clare—one of Ireland’s great musical heartlands. Founded in 1970, the festival has grown into a week-long gathering of sessions, concerts, céilís, and workshops, attracting musicians and enthusiasts from across Ireland and beyond. The streets and pubs of Ennis come alive with music from morning till night, capturing the warmth and spontaneity of Ireland’s living folk tradition. Blending heritage, community, and joyful creativity, Fleadh Nua celebrates the enduring heartbeat of Irish culture.
Listowel Writers' Week
Listowel Writers’ Week is Ireland’s oldest and most esteemed literary festival, held each late May to early June in the charming town of Listowel, County Kerry. Founded in 1970, the festival brings together writers, poets, and readers from Ireland and around the world for readings, workshops, panel discussions, and awards ceremonies. The town’s pubs, theatres, and streets buzz with creativity as both emerging and established voices share their work in an atmosphere of warmth and curiosity. Blending literature, community, and conversation, Listowel Writers’ Week celebrates the written word in the heart of rural Ireland.
Bloomsday
Bloomsday is an annual celebration held on June 16th in Dublin, Ireland, to honor the life and work of writer James Joyce, particularly his novel Ulysses. The day marks the events of the novel, which takes place in a single day, June 16th, 1904, and follows the protagonist, Leopold Bloom, through the streets of Dublin. Celebrations include public readings of Ulysses, theatrical performances, reenactments of scenes from the book, and a variety of Joyce-themed events at cafes, pubs, and cultural venues throughout the city. Bloomsday has become a cultural tradition, attracting Joyce enthusiasts and literary fans from around the world.
Galway International Arts Festival
The Galway Arts Festival is an annual event held in Galway, Ireland, celebrating a wide range of artistic disciplines. The festival features performances in theater, music, dance, literature, and visual arts, showcasing both local and international talent. It includes outdoor events, street performances, exhibitions, and live concerts, turning Galway into a vibrant cultural hub for the duration of the festival. With a mix of free and ticketed events, the Galway Arts Festival attracts thousands of visitors and is a highlight of Ireland’s cultural calendar, promoting creativity and artistic expression in the heart of the city.
The Galway Races
The Galway Races is an annual horse racing event held in Galway, Ireland. It is one of the most prestigious and popular racing festivals in Ireland, attracting both locals and international visitors. The festival spans several days and features a mix of flat and jump races, with a lively atmosphere and a variety of entertainment. In addition to the races, the Galway Races also includes fashion competitions, live music, and social events. The event is known for its festive vibe, with people gathering to enjoy the excitement of the races and the social celebrations.
Derry Halloween
Derry Halloween is Europe’s largest and most famous Halloween festival, held each late October in the walled city of Derry~Londonderry, Northern Ireland. Rooted in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, the event transforms the city into a world of myth and magic, with parades, costume parties, haunted trails, light shows, and the spectacular Fireworks Finale over the River Foyle. Themed around Irish folklore and the supernatural, the celebrations bring together thousands of locals and visitors in a vibrant mix of creativity, heritage, and spooky fun. Blending Celtic tradition with modern spectacle, Derry Halloween has earned its place as the world’s most spirited Halloween destination.
European Heritage Days
European Heritage Days is an annual event held across Europe on the third weekend of September, offering free access to historical sites, museums, monuments, and government buildings that are usually closed to the public. Launched in 1984, the event highlights cultural heritage through guided tours, special exhibitions, and interactive workshops, allowing visitors to explore everything from medieval castles to private mansions and iconic landmarks. It’s a unique opportunity to discover hidden treasures, learn about history, and celebrate Europe’s rich cultural legacy.
Ireland's National Heritage Week
Ireland's National Heritage Week is an annual event celebrating Ireland's rich cultural and natural heritage. The week involves a wide range of activities, including guided tours, workshops, exhibitions, and performances, all focused on highlighting Ireland’s historical landmarks, traditions, folklore, and biodiversity. Many heritage sites, museums, and cultural centers across the country open their doors to the public for free or at a reduced rate during the week. The event encourages people to engage with and appreciate Ireland's heritage, promoting both local and national history in an accessible and inclusive way.
Puck Fair
Puck Fair is an annual traditional festival held in Killorglin, County Kerry, Ireland. It is one of Ireland's oldest and most unique festivals, dating back over 400 years. The highlight of the event is the crowning of a wild goat, known as Puck, who is placed on a high platform in the town square and crowned as "King Puck" for the duration of the festival. The celebration includes street performances, live music, dancing, parades, and traditional Irish food and drinks. The festival attracts thousands of visitors each year, offering a lively atmosphere and a strong sense of community pride and tradition.