It's summertime and the sun is well and truly shining. We've definitely no excuse to stay indoors - get the little ones out and about! Here are five festivals worth attending with the brood in tow - there's something for the whole family to enjoy!
Playstival with The Happy Pear
Airfield Estate, Overend Avenue, Dundrum, Dublin 14. August 11th-12th
A new event this year is Playstival which promises a back-to-basics approach to games and family activities. Taking place in August in Airfield Estate, Overend Avenue, Dundrum, Dublin, this is a two-day summer family festival for children and their parents. It's all about celebrating play, imagination, and fun with a range of hands-on, fun and imaginative games and themed play universes. Over both days, they'll showcase eight themed ‘play universes’ for children to immerse themselves in. From a construction site for kids to the wild wild west, the wonderfully themed play universes offer an unforgettable day of pure fun for families. As well as all that, delicious and nourishing Happy Pear food will be on offer throughout the weekend for the whole family to munch on. See https://www.playstival.ie/ for more.
Kildare Town Medieval Festival
Kildare Town, August 12th
This is definitely one for the kids, but the adults will love it too! The theme of this year’s festival is “The Vikings are Back”, so expect olde world shenanigans with medieval re-enactments, willow weaving and archery .Oh, and don't forget the fayre throwing games. Who says summer needs ever be dull? kildareheritage.com has more details.
Laya Healthcare’s City Spectacular
Dublin: July 6th – 8th; Cork: July 14th – 15th
Ireland’s biggest family-friendly festival returns to Ireland for its 13th year, and as well as all the fun and games, entry is completely free of charge. Laya Healthcare’s City Spectacular returns this summer to Dublin’s Merrion Square from Friday, July 6 to Sunday, July 8 and to Cork’s Fitzgerald Park on Saturday, July 14 and Sunday, July 15. Showcasing the best in international street performance, the world’s leading living statue artists, free family activities, delicious street food from around the world as well as a pet area with charity partner the DSPCA, everyone will love this one, whether you're in Dublin or Cork. See https://www.cityspectacular.com/dublin or https://www.cityspectacular.com/cork for all the details.
Carrickmacross Arts Festival
Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan, August 23rd - 26th
This is art even the little ones will enjoy. Billed by the organisers as “perfect for families and individuals who want the festival experience without the muddy camping and sleepless nights” you can expect to find art, music, comedy, drama, poetry, and more. A huge number of events will be on over the three-day period. Fun is guaranteed, we're just hoping the good weather comes with it!
Festival of Curiosity
Various locations in Dublin,July 19th – 22nd
The Festival of Curiosity runs in various Dublin venues in late July. The festival programme is packed full of arts, science and technology events and has a host of free daytime activities for families.Think a giant outdoor Bubblearium, to special Lego Workshops and much more. Curious. Very curious.
