I used to wait for Halloween and Christmas time, just to feel fun and festive. Well that was before Ireland began hosting multiple festivals and events that can fill my calendar!
Now, we can all enjoy celebrating several events connected to history, art, talent, and tradition, thanks to Dublin’s festivals!
So if you want to party or even learn something new, join me as I explore what each festival has in store for us!
1. Dublin Lunar New Year
Media credit: @dublinlunarny
Website: https://www.dublinlunarnewyear.ie/
Since 2008, the City Arts Office of Dublin has been celebrating and promoting the relationship between Asian and Irish people through the Dublin Lunar New Year.
Guests of all ages can choose from different activities such as dragon-themed art showcases, Chinese knot challenges, and screenprinting workshops.
Meanwhile, those at home can join virtually through the festival’s online story-telling.
Your kids can also enjoy watching various colorful parades involving traditional dragon dances, martial arts demonstrations, and Chinese opera.
You can also enjoy Asian culture through their food establishments. You can try different Asian cuisines such as Cantonese, Korean, and Vietnamese.
Pro tips: Make sure you bring enough cash when attending the Dublin Lunar New Year as most of the establishments or food stalls don’t accept cards. Consider arriving early so you can secure a good spot before the parade starts.
2. Dublin International Film Festival
Media credit: @dublinfilmfestival
Website: https://filmfreeway.com/DublinInternationalFilmFestival
Every February, the Dublin International Film Festival celebrates the art of world-class filming featuring Irish and international premieres, documentaries, and shorts.
You can also participate in their exclusive Q&A segments, allowing you to get to know your artists and all the creative minds behind every film.
If you’re new in the industry, this is also your chance to meet production houses from Ireland and other parts of the world, directors, and writers, making it a great spot to broaden your knowledge and network.
What’s great about this film festival is that you can get a chance to see the upcoming Irish shows before they hit the mainstream media.
Pro tip: Casting agents also attend Dublin International Film Festival, so if you’re an aspiring artist or talent, make sure to network well and let them know your interest.
3. St. Patrick’s Festival
Media credit: @stpatricksfestival
Website: https://stpatricksfestival.ie/
Of course, Ireland’s way of honoring their patron saint is by celebrating their national holiday—St. Patrick’s Day.
This festival started as a one-day event, but since a lot of Irish people have been enjoying and patronizing the event, it has been a multi-day celebration filled with activities.
Irish residents start it by attending a parade and paying tribute to St. Patrick. You’ll enjoy checking out colorful floats, and giant mascots in lively costumes.
You can also catch a marching band from Ireland and other countries, making the whole celebration more festive. This parade will traverse the iconic landmarks in Dublin such as St. Stephen’s Green and O’Connell Street.
Additionally, you can also see these iconic landmarks illuminated in green lights—another sought-after celebration during St. Patrick’s Festival called Greening of the City.
You can also watch some live performances throughout the day, including the traditional Irish dance shows on the street.
Another sought-after event during the St. Patrick’s Festival is the Greening of the City
Pro tip: You may consider joining the annual running event during St. Patrick’s Festival where you can run while wearing green costumes or attire.
4. One Dublin One Book
Media credit: @macondo_y_ulysses
Website: https://www.onedublinonebook.ie/
For bookworms out there, Dublin hosts a festival perfect for you—the One Dublin One Book. Here, you can get a chance to read and discuss a chosen book by an Irish author with your fellow enthusiasts.
This month-long festival aims to encourage Dublin residents to grow their interest and embrace literary culture by connecting them through storytelling.
You’ll love that this festival selects a book each year and you can attend month-long programs involving book readings, author conversations, Q&As or debates, and even walking tours.
To participate in this event, you can head to participating libraries and cultural centers around Dublin. Meanwhile, those who don’t wish to go out can still participate by downloading the eBook and program online.
Moreover, you can also opt for an audiobook format, allowing you to finish the book depending on your preference.
Pro tip: One Dublin One Book announces the featured book months before the festival kicks off. Consider purchasing a copy at a partner bookstore so you can absorb the story and prepare your insights at your own pace.
5. International Literature Festival
Media credit: @ilfdublin
Website: https://literaturfestival.com/en/
The International Literature Festival is another festival in Dublin that aims to connect writers, poets, and even playwrights worldwide. Here, you can attend book launches, author discussions, panel talks, and poetry readings.
For those of you who wish to learn more about the art of writing, you can join writing workshops. Even better, you can let the known authors share how they conceptualize when they write a new book.
What’s great about this festival is that they openly discuss topics about climate change, identity, and human rights, ensuring you’re well aware of what’s happening in the cultural and political landscape.
If you want your kids to be more exposed to literature, you’ll love that this festival also offers events for young readers.
Pro tip: The International Literature Festival offers a 10% ticket discount for orders of 10 or more. Meanwhile, if you have a personal assistant or carer, they can come in free of charge.
6. Bloomsday Festival
Media credit: @bloomsdayfest
Website: https://www.bloomsdayfestival.ie/
Since 1994, the James Joyce Centre has been organizing the Bloomsday Festival, an annual celebration honoring Ireland’s greatest literary work called Ulysses.
What’s great about this festival is that you can dress as your favorite character, making you relive the stories like you’re part of a play. You can enjoy roaming around the streets of Dublin while wearing a 20th-century wardrobe.
You can also watch dramatic plays that are staged in different locations around Dublin such as in Glasnevin Cemetery and Davy Byrne’s Pub.
Here, you’ll also see murals, furniture, and appliances, showcasing the Georgian decoration and plasterwork in the story.
If you want to get to know more about the place’s history, you can join walking tours, allowing you to explore Ulysses-related spots such as the Martello Tower, the Gresham Hotel, and the Belvedere College.
Pro tip: Consider buying a lemon bar soap at Sweny’s so you can experience one of the book character’s experiences in Ulysses.
7. Dublin Pride Festival
Media credit: @dublinpride
Website: https://dublinpride.ie/
For over 10 years, Dublin has been celebrating marriage equality, gender recognition, and the right to form families through the Dublin Pride Festival.
This festival starts with a parade showcasing different advocacy organizations, sports and social groups, public service groups, and ally groups—all sharing their love for our LGBTQ+ community.
You can join the parade for free. And if you just want to support by watching, you can choose to stand anywhere along the route.
What sets this festival apart is that it values accessibility and inclusivity. If you want an accessible viewing area that’s friendly for strollers and wheelchairs, you can head to O’Connell Street.
Meanwhile, for those who require a quiet zone, you can go to the Custom House so you can still show your support to our LGBTQ+ friends.
Aside from the parade, you can also express your creativity by joining their guided workshops such as Zine Making. Here, you can enjoy almost 3 hours of creating collages even if you’re an art expert!
You’ll also love their Coming Out Day luncheons, allowing you to attend an afternoon story-sharing over tea, coffee, and lunch meals.
Pro tip: Consider attending pre-parade events such as brunches and social gatherings, allowing you to relate and connect with people in a more relaxed setting.
8. Longitude Festival
Media credit: @longitudefest
Website: https://www.longitude.ie/
If you’re a fan of summer music festivals then Longitude Festival is the one for you. This festival is held annually at Marlay Park, showcasing various talents, singers, and bands highlighting different genres such as alternative, pop, hip-hop, or even indie.
Longitude Festival has been known to include high-profile artists in their lineup such as Kendrick Lamar, Travis Scott, and Cardi B.
You’ll love that you can enjoy the whole festive vibe complete with your favorite food and drinks. There are multiple food trucks and bars around, ensuring guests can fuel up anytime they want.
If you ever get tired from standing and jamming for so long, there are lounge spots where you can relax and recharge for a bit before catching the next act.
And since this festival attracts the younger generation, this is also your chance to dress up showcasing some street fashion and pop culture.
Moreover, you can join the afterparties hosted by nearby bars and restaurants, ensuring the fun continues even after the program ends.
Pro tip: Consider maximizing the festival shuttles offered by the Longitude Festival’s organizers as parking slots and traffic will be challenging during the celebration.
9. The Big Grill
Media credit: @biggrillfestival
Website: https://www.biggrillfestival.com/
For those who love barbecue and other smoky meat then you should add The Big Grill to the list of festivals in Dublin you should attend. When you’re here, you can watch talented chefs as they cook meats over open flames.
Aside from ribs and pulled pork, you can also catch them grilling vegetables and seafood, ensuring everyone can find something they can eat during this festival.
What’s great about this festival is that part of their program is live cooking demos. During demos, you can ask the chefs for some tips and techniques, allowing you to broaden your knowledge when it comes to cooking or grilling.
The festival can have a competitive spirit as well. Here, you can catch pitmasters as they fight for the King of the Grill title.
If you need to have your alcohol fix, you’ll love that there are several booths offering craft beers and cocktails, complementing your BBQ dishes.
You’ll also love that you can hear live music or DJs spinning your favorite jams while you go around the place.
Additionally, don’t miss out on the big bonfire experience while you’re at The Big Grill. It’s part of the event’s tradition, bringing all guests together as you end the night.
Pro tip: Make sure you wear comfortable shoes and avoid wearing heels as the venue is grassy and has uneven ground.
10. Dublin Fringe Festival
Media credit: @dublinfringefest
Website: https://www.fringefest.com/
For contemporary art lovers out there, the Dublin Fringe Festival is calling your name! Since 1995, their loyal patrons have kept growing and growing.
You can watch different types of art such as dance, theater, comedy, and visual art. Even better, they host more than 100 shows allowing both newbies and seasoned artists to showcase their talent.
You can also watch electric dance performances, allowing you to have a more immersive experience in art.
This festival also maximizes different venues, allowing you to watch your favorite acts from theatres, pubs, and other public places.
If you’ve got kids who want to become artists, you can let them watch family-friendly performances, allowing them to get more inspiration.
Pro tip: Dublin Fringe Festival also hosts open mic sessions. If you’re an aspiring artist, you can consider maximizing this to test out the waters.