Discover Galway
Galway has always been a hub for everything craic and culture. The City of the Tribes has events happening all throughout the year but it is during the summer months we are just spoiled for choice. Below is a taste of what's on offer in Galway city - so if you're in the mood for an adventure, if you want to experience something different or even if you just want to distract the kids for a few hours - there's nearly always something on.
Simply click on the title of the event below to find out more information...
April:
1. Cúirt International Festival Of Literature
The Cúirt International Festival of Literature is Ireland’s premier literary event. The 2024 festival will run from 23 – 28 April, 2024 and feature an eclectic and exciting range of Irish and international writers in Galway for readings, workshops, discussions, book signings and much, much more.
May:
The Bealtaine Festival 2024 will see hundreds of events for, by and featuring older people all across Ireland, offering theatre, visual arts, music and more. This year’s theme is “Lust for Life” by writer Liz McManus. The Bealtaine Festival is Ireland’s unique nationwide celebration of creativity as we age and is an initiative of Age & Opportunity.
The Galway Food Festival returns as part of the ‘Blas Na Gaillimhe – A Taste of Galway’ network of food organisations that recognise the distinctive hospitality that Galway provides all year long, with special events planned for the month of May.
Galway Theatre Festival features 9 days of exciting theatre, circus, spectacle, and storytelling, showcasing the vibrant performance culture of Ireland’s festival city.
Galway Bike Week is expected to take place from the 11th – 19 May 2024 as part of National Bike Week, with cycling events all over Galway county, organised by local authorities, community groups, charities and cycling groups.
5. An Tóstal Salthill Festival
If you’re searching for something to do in early May, why not take up a spot by the sea to witness the amazing sight of dozens of racing currachs as they take to the water for the An Tóstal Salthill Festival.
6. Galway Early Music Festival
The Galway Early Music Festival celebrates its 28th birthday in 2024 with old world music and arts and features concerts, workshops, street performances of music, dance and historical re-enactment.
7. Tour de Conamara Cycling Sportive
Tour de Conamara is the Irish leg of a new international cycling sportive held in Clifden Connemara, with the option of 140km and 80km routes. A 14km Family cycle with free cycling tuition for kids will be hosted during the weekend making it a cycling weekend with something for everyone
Celebrating it’s 135th year the Athenry Agricultural Show is one of Ireland’s longest running agricultural community events. With many exhibitor classes to choose from and a great showjumping and equestrian program of events, there will be something for everyone on the day.
June:
1. Headfest
Headfest is a family friendly festival. The Headford annual community festival takes place over the June Bank Holiday weekend from from Friday 31st May to Sunday 2nd June 2024. A temporary arena is expected to be based in the Moyne Villa F.C sportsgrounds for the duration of the festival.
2. Salthill Fives National Soccer Tournament
Salthill Devon’s popular five-a-side festival is expected to return this June Bank Holiday (June 1st and 2nd 2024) in Salthill Park. Expect to see a great mix of Galway natives, visitors and friends gather to enjoy this great footballing festival in the scenic location of Salthill Park, overlooking Galway Bay.
3. Lasta National Arts Festival
Galway, renowned for its vibrant arts scene, is gearing up to host the third Lasta National Arts Festival from June 1 to 12. The Town Hall Theatre, among seven venues nationwide, eagerly anticipates a showcase programmed by and for young people.
After a successful inaugural festival last year, the 3rd Galway Folk Festival, will take place from 5 to 9 June, 2024 over four stages in Monroe’s Tavern and at Seapoint Ballroom in Salthill, Galway, with some of the biggest names in current Irish folk music involved.
The Medieval Summer Fête at St. Nicholas’ Church is expected to return on Saturday June 8 2024 (to be confirmed). Running from 10:30am-2:30pm, you are invited to join the organisers for Medieval Music and Dance, Medieval craft and re-enactments of Sword Fighting and much more.
6. Claregalway Agricultural Show
The Claregalway Agricultural Show features classes for horses/ponies, cattle, sheep and dogs in the outdoor arena. There are indoor arts, crafts, home baking, horticulture, photography and flower arranging classes too. There will be live music and novelty events such as the donkey derby, best dressed lady, glamorous granny competitions.
Get ready for an incredible weekend filled with live music, dancing, and unforgettable performances at the Clifden Showgrounds in 2024. Expect a lineup that will leave you thrilled and wanting more. So mark your calendars and bring your friends along for an unforgettable experience!
Bia Lover is a food festival will provide an exhibition in Athenry for quality food and drink suppliers based primarily in the west of Ireland. Parallel events include cookery demonstrations, food talks, a producers market on Saturday & Sunday in the park and partnership food and drink trails with local pubs, restaurants and farms from Friday.
9. Corrundulla Agricultural Show
Join us at the Corrandulla Agricultural Show, a delightful family fun day out where there’s something for everyone. Prepare to be captivated by an array of exciting events and activities.
10. Féile na mBád
Regatta in Kilkieran, Co. Galway displaying unique Irish boats, such as currachs and Galway Hookers including the Bád Mór, Gleoiteog, Leathbhád and Púcán classes of boat traditionally used throughout Galway Bay, along the coast of Connemara and North Clare.
July:
Cong Food Village Festival showcases the wonderful produce of the West in a fun and educational way. Cong is passionate about food and are delighted to be able to share this passion with you. The program is packed with great events across the two days which will include the festival marquee, storytelling, while there will also be talks on nutrition, foraging, food awareness and healthy eating advice, alongside beer tasting, street food and cooking demos.
2. Traidphicnic
Traidphicnic is the uniquely Irish community-based festival of music, art and inclusion in the beautiful Conamara village of An Spidéal. Cancelled in 2023 so please check closer to the time to confirm the 2024 event will proceed.
The 13th annual Galway Garden Festival will take place on Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th July 2024 in the wonderful surrounds of Claregalway Castle and it promises to be a very special weekend. Everyone may enjoy this distinctive and endearing event.
4. Roundstone Connemara Pony, Dog & Sheep Show
The 17th Annual Roundstone Connemara Pony, Dog & Sheep Show takes place in mid-July, 2024, at the Showground. The main event, the Connemara Pony Show, consists of 20 in-hand classes showcasing all ages and varieties of Connemara Pony. A Dog Show and Sheep Show are also included in the day’s events. A great day out is assured for competitors and spectators alike. The deadline for entry is late June.
A film festival for feature films and shorts, The Galway Film Fleadh, Ireland’s leading film festival, is a six-day international event, held every July and welcomes a diversity of films from around the world.
6. Westside Community Arts Festival
Westside Arts Festival is an annual celebration of creativity in the community. It is held every July and brings together artistic talents from all over the world. Come along and take part in the events, storytelling and artistic workshops. A wonderful event for young children.
Every year on July 16th, the Féile Mhic Dara (Macdara Festival) is held at Carna, Galway, on Ireland’s west coast, in the Gaeltacht. On the day, pilgrimages to the island’s church for Mass and celebration have a long tradition, with local fisherman donating their time and boats to ferry people out to the deserted Oileán Mhic Dara – or St. Mac Dara’s Island from Mace pier in the morning and back in the afternoon.
Others travel in their own currachs, or canoe boats. Following the service, everyone spends some time on the island, with celebration picnics taking place if the weather permits, before the Galway Hookers’ Féile Mhic Dara regatta.
Aughrim is delighted to host a family fun day in Aughrim Village on Sunday 14th of July from 11:30am. The following will take place on the day: Battlefield Bus Tours,Open Air Market Stalls, Food and Music, Kids Activities in the park such as Face Painting, Hair Braiding, Yoga, Kids Games, a Baby Soft Play area, a Sensory Area & Hamper Raffle. All are welcome.
9. Galway International Arts Festival
The Galway International Arts Festival is one of the main highlights of the year and involves events throughout Galway City.
The 47th Galway International Arts Festival will take place for 2 weeks in July and will feature a wealth of theatre, music, comedy, visual art, dance, and literary events from artists from Africa, America, Asia, Australia, Europe, and of course Ireland and Galway.
10. Galway Fringe Music Festival
The Fringe will be a carnival-style performing arts spectacle, which will encourage community involvement and offer site-specific, outdoor theatre, music, film, and literary pop-up events and displays.The theme of the 2024 has yet to be confirmed, but expect some of the best local artists and community groups to bring unique and inventive drama, poetry, visual art installations, writing, music and dance to the fore in celebration the best of local talent.
Féile na mBád is a regatta in Inishmaan displaying unique Irish boats, such as currachs and Galway Hookers including the Bád Mór, Gleoiteog, Leathbhád and Púcán classes of boat traditionally used throughout Galway Bay, along the coast of Connemara and North Clare. Please note: dates may vary due to weather conditions.
12. Galway International Race Festival
Ireland’s biggest and most famous racing festival is held in Galway during the last week of July every year and involves seven days of unrivalled action. The 2024 festival will run from Monday 29 July to Sunday 4th August. Each year sees attendances of over 100,000 at the Galway Races over the week long festival, and the town has a real buzz at night, with hangovers aplenty the following day. It is a joyous, fun-filled seven days where people might leave with a few less euros than they had when they arrived but they also leave with great new experiences, new friends and a time that will never be forgotten.
August:
Prepare for a musical and dance extravaganza that will make your heart sing and your feet dance! The Ballygar Carnival has been entertaining Ireland for 80 years straight, making it the country’s longest-running family festival. How incredible is that? And that’s not all — The Murray’s Funfair is back, ready to delight visitors of all ages! With over 50 years of experience in bringing joy to The Square at Ballygar, their return is eagerly anticipated.
Each year, the Dunmore Annual Festival is held in the town of Dunmore in North East County Galway during the first week of August. Dunmore Annual Festival has been putting on a wonderful performance for almost 50 years, and this year is no exception. The Dunmore Annual Festival takes place in the first week of August and features almost 100 events.Stilt walking, juggling, and a fire show are among the attractions. You’ll be dancing in the streets while listening to live music. You can get your face painted, eat some ice cream, and ride in a fire truck or a police car. Sports of all kinds are held throughout the week, with Monday being designated as Festival Sports Day. The day begins with the Annual Garrafrauns/Dunmore 6k Road Race, which is followed by sports for all ages at the Fairgreen, including some unique activities for the less athletic.
Locals and visitors from all over the world anticipate catching up with old friends and establishing new ones in Dunmore, as well as creating many wonderful memories.
One of the top triathalon events in Ireland, Loughrea Triathlon Festival was awarded “Race of the Year 2023” by Triathlon Ireland.
The races in this year’s festival are Children’s Triathlon, Youth National Championship incorporating the Youth National Club Championship and Youth Triathlon Cup in the morning session. The National Triathlon Sprint Series races are in the afternoon with separate male and female races. This year’s festival date coincides with the competition window of the Olympic triathlon race events in Paris. Our festival theme this year is shaped by the Olympic ideals to dream and to aspire.
The Galway Cup, a prestigious youth soccer tournament, has been a highlight of European soccer since its inception in 2005. Taking place over four exciting days each August, the event unfolds at Salthill Devon F.C.’s Drom Soccer complex, located on the fringes of Galway City. Welcoming 50 teams from across the globe, the tournament has evolved into a premier platform for young talents. Played on flawlessly maintained pitches, the Galway Cup offers aspiring players the perfect stage to display their skills to coaches, scouts, and an enthusiastic audience, solidifying its reputation as a top-notch youth competition in Europe.
The annual Galway Pride Festival – the longest continual Pride event in Ireland is expected to take place from Saturday August 10 to Sunday August 18 2024. This new event will encompass everything that makes our city the cultural magnet that it is. The aim is to encourage involvement from the wider community, and to highlight the great variety of people that make Galway such a vibrant and exciting place to live and visit. Events throughout the week will include evenings of information and awareness, arts and performance, music nights and the colourful parade on the final Saturday of the festival.
The Inis Oírr Currach Races, a much-anticipated event on the Aran Islands, are set to take place on the weekend of August 10 and 11, 2024. This lively celebration, held on Inis Oírr in County Galway, promises a weekend filled with traditional competitions, music, and fun, subject to favorable weather conditions. For the latest updates, be sure to check their Facebook page.
Galway’s rich heritage is set to be celebrated in a range of events across the city and county as part of National Heritage Week. Over 100 different events are planned from Ballinasloe to Inishbofin and will take in everything from genealogy workshops to talks on the history of the Connemara pony, to medieval tours to seashore safaris.
Galway’s rich heritage is set to be celebrated in a range of events across the city and county as part of National Heritage Week. Over 100 different events are planned from Ballinasloe to Inishbofin and will take in everything from genealogy workshops to talks on the history of the Connemara pony, to medieval tours to seashore safaris.
Loughrea Medieval Festival is a 3 day festival is expected to take place in late August and comprises of scenes of everyday life in Medieval Loughrea, as well as being jam-packed with fun events and performances. The theme for this years festival is the ‘Gathering of the Clans’ and is being held during National Heritage Week and comprises of scenes of everyday life in Medieval Loughrea, as well as being jam-packed with fun events and performances. 2024 programme to be confirmed closer to the event.
10. Oughterard Agricultural & Horticutural Show
The Oughterard Show is one of the main agricultural and horticultural shows in the West of Ireland. It provides both locals and visitors with a chance to see the best of aspects of Connemara country life with performance ponies, livestock, pets, dogs, farm and garden produce and vintage displays as well as a large variety of art and craft exhibits and competitions along with fun provided for children on both days.
September:
1. Claregalway Castle - Autumn Plant Fair
The Autumn Plant Fair is expected to take place at Claregalway Castle in early September 2024. There will also be a selection of art and craft stands and the Irish Country Women’s Association will have demonstrations throughout the day. The event will be also the last chance to see the 2022 Botanical Art Exhibition.
2. Galway Rally
Galway Summer Rally is yet to be confirmed but is expected to return on 1 September, 2024 and will take on some classic Galway International Rally stages and provides a good challenge for all the crews involved, covering 120km of stages and 170km of road mileage with more than 125 entries taking part. The rally has been running since 1972, and it began as a mixed stage/navigation event before transitioning to tarmac stages in 1974 and being a member of the National Rally Championship for several years.
3. Inishbofin Tidings - Storytelling Festival
On Inishbofin Island, the inaugural Inishbofin Tidings – Storytelling Festival is expected to be held in early September 2024.Visitors are invited to participate in this family-friendly festival’s exploration of storytelling in all its forms by sharing their own tales.
4. Clarenbridge Oyster Festival
Great food, great Guinness, great music and entertainment all in a splendid marquee on the banks of the Claren River which flows through the village of Clarenbridge on the edge of Galway Bay. Established in 1954 and going from strength to strength, this Clarenbridge Oyster Festival has become an integral part of life in the picturesque village of Clarenbridge in the south Galway. The oysters are produced west of Clarenbridge village at Dunbulcan Bay. Protected by the bay from the force of Atlantic storms, the 700 acres of beds lie in an ideal mixture of fresh and sea water vital for perfect oyster development, taking from three to five years to grow for consumption. Over 100,000 oysters are eaten during the weekend celebration. The festival programme includes a market day, golf tournaments, yacht races, art and photographic exhibitions, a fine wine and gourmet evening, talks andlectures and the best-dressed-lady competition. The main emphasis, however, is on providing guests with a culinary experience that they will never forget with what many consider to be the best oysters in the world.
5. Connemara Mountain Walking Festival
Céad míle fáilte awaits you in Leenane on the shores of the Killary Fjord for this special Autumn Connemara Mountain Walking Festival expected to be held over the weekend of 7 – 8 September 2024. The festival has something for all levels of walkers from casual walks to the more experienced! Each day there is a choice of walks from strenuous to low level.
Dive in at one of the most majestic settings along the Wild Atlantic Way, Killary Fjord. The Great Fjord Swim is an open water swimming event with distances to suit all swimmers and a boat ride to the start line.
7. Galway Races - Autumn Meeting
Adrenalin-pumping action, heart-stopping finishes and breath-taking fashion; you are at the Galway Races. Situated on the outskirts of Galway city, in the West of Ireland, the Galway Race Festivals are world renowned. The Galway Races Autumn Festival is held in mid-September each year. Enjoy a great day out at Ballybritt, Galway with friends, family or co-workers with tantalising action on and off the track at Galway Racecourse.
The Portumna Shorelines Arts Festival showcases the creative arts for the community arts groups of Portumna and from the surrounding area of Lough Derg and the Slieve Aughties. The Festival celebrates the arts in a variety of mediums and aims to encourage and support local artists to present their work. The festival pays particular emphasis to literature, visual arts, drama and music/song, and guest artists are featured during the weekend event. The Shorelines Arts Festival also hosts workshops and opportunities to all groups within the local community to develop their imagination through art, music, drama etc.
Largest organised supercar road trip in Europe 
The annual Cannonball Run involving 190 supercars is expected to visit Galway on during September 2024 as part of the 3 day tour Ireland entertaining up to 200,000 spectators across the country. The streets of Salthill are expected to see hundreds of supercars and unusual vehicles on display as Cannonball 2024 travels through Ireland.
10. Galway International Oyster Festival
The Galway International Oyster & Seafood Festival is an annual event held each year on the last weekend of September in the centre of Galway City. A highlight in the west of Ireland’s festival calendar, it is the world’s longest running Oyster Festival and one of the most internationally recognised Irish events.
The Galway Docklands Festival is expected to return in 2024 at the end of September and is being organised by the Galway Hooker Sailing Club in association with Galway Bay Boat Tours and Galway Bay Seafoods. The three-day festival highlights the best that Galway’s Docklands have to offer with particular emphasis on locations such as Galway harbor, the Docks, The Claddagh, and the Galway coastline. Galway’s seafood, regional beers, music, the city’s famous Galway Hooker sailing boats, as well as a variety of family-friendly activities will all be featured at the festival.
12. Ballinasloe International October Fair (29th Sept. - 6th Oct.)
The longest running Horse Fair in Europe 
An extravaganza of all things equestrian, with entertainment, music and great family fun. 2024 sees the fair celebrating the significant 302nd anniversary milestone of the Ballinasloe International October Fair & Festival which is held annually in the town of Ballinasloe, County Galway. The equestrian days are Sunday and Monday (29th Sept, 30 Sept) and Saturday (5th October 2024). The festival dates are 3rd to 6th October 2024 where the Fairgreen is the place to be, with every breed of horse and pony on display from the beautiful Connemara Pony to trotting ponies and wonderful Irish draughts. With an assortment of fun events, street stalls, fireworks, tug-o-war, street & vintage parade, arts & crafts, music and children’s events, there’s a sense of community about the show, but with around 85,000 visitors a year the word has spread.
