Ah Dublin, the city of culture. We’ve got a eclectic mix of culture and history, from Richmond Barracks to Temple Bar. The more you explore the city, the more you realise you’ve got lots left to see. Each year, the city has a number of cultural events and festivals, most are free to take part in!
Tradfest
TradFest is Ireland’s largest traditional music festival and cultural organisations showcasing a wide range of talents both established and new. This Dublin festival will host a range of traditional, folk, nu-folk and rock and roll concerts perfect for the fans of these genres or the curious visitor.
In 2025, TradFest will take place over the last weekend from the 22nd to 26th. For more information and to see who is playing, visit the TradFest website. With venues all over Dublin city and the rest of the county, you can listen to trad much in iconic places culminating with a headline finish at the national stadium.
St. Patrick’s Festival
If not yet on it, St. Patrick’s Day Festival in Dublin should definitely be on your travel bucket list. St. Patrick’s Day sees celebrations all over the world and nowhere is it better than in the Irish capital. Come for the parade or arrive early and take part in a weekend full of events and celebration honouring Irish culture and our patron saint.
Drink Guinness, wear green and meet some of the friendliest Irish people around. The Hendrick’s city centre location will ensure that you get to and from the St. Patrick’s Festival events with ease.
International Literature Festival Dublin
The Dublin City Arts Office has continued to celebrate the rich literary history since 1998 at the ILFD. The world’s finest writers come to the capital city to celebrate the best Irish and international poets, authors, playwrights, lyricists and screenwriters.
2024’s International Literature Festival Dublin will take place between 17-26th of May in Merrion Square Park. While literature legends have graced the city in previous years, the line up for this year hasn’t been announced just yet.
Bloomsday
Bloomsday is an annual celebration of James Joyce’s Ulysses and to mark the occasion in style. Dublin comes to life in a street carnival designed to appreciate the literary arts. This Dublin tradition is not the one to miss!
For the festival that’s in it people gather dressed of the book’s period and spend the days enjoying a range of activities. From lectures to workshops to theatre to pub crawls Bloomsday is meant for everyone, come and celebrate Dublin’s history of connection with Leopold Bloom.
Bloomsday Festival takes place all over Dublin so it’s easy to get involved. Hop on the Luas or Dublin Bus into the city centre and be swarmed by Leopold Bloom fanatics enjoying the merriment. Hot spots to look out for include Sweny’s Chemist and Davy Byrne’s Pub
Pride
Opera in the Open
Opera in the Open is an initiative of Dublin City Council that presents live performances of Opera in the open air in at Wood Quay Amphitheatre. Each performance lasts one hour and is narrated in English, although we would love to sing along in Italian!
Opera in the Open sees a wide range of performances take place each August, and the amphitheatre is the perfect venue. These lunchtime shows are brilliant picnic opportunities, with seating and grassy areas.
Culture Night Dublin
Dublin City showcases the best of the city on September 20th, 2024. Culture night will always take place on the second last Friday in September. This annual event takes place all over Ireland, not just in Dublin 7.
This national movement gathers cultural events in iconic venues like Dublin Castle, Henrietta Street, Chester Beatty museum, Hugh Lane Gallery and other nationwide locations to celebrate the rich and diverse culture in Eireann. Culture night is open to all, both visitors to Ireland and everybody living here and all events are free to enter.
Dublin Theatre Festival
Abbey theatre, The Gate, The Peacock, they are all important stops on the tour of culture around Dublin. Each year the theatre festival brings incredible performances to the Irish capital. With a run from the end of September to the middle of October.
Incorporating theatre, song, dance along, Workshop for families with events aimed towards children and family, the Theatre festival is a colourful celebration of stage performing in the city.
Bram Stoker Festival
One of Dublin’s most famous writers, Bram Stoker is celebrated each year at a festival over Halloween. In 2024, the festival will run between Friday 25th October – Monday 28th October. 2023’s event entertained over 65,000 people, not just Trinity College scholars or Vampires….
The festival brings some crazy and creepy shows across the spooky month of October. Gothic and supernatural street performances, literary insights and markets take over unexpecting patrons.
New Years Festival
There’s no wrong month to visit Ireland, with plenty of historical and cultural events and areas showcasing the best of our country. If you happen to visit our city on a weekend with no major events, you can find out great things to do in our neighbourhood and beyond.
