Looking for entertainment this summer? There are numerous fun, family-friendly events taking place across the country. From music and art festivals, to literary and food celebrations, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Here are some of the best: Michael Bublé Malahide Castle, Dublin; June 26th and Thomond Park Stadium, Limerick; June 28th; ticketmaster.ieAward-winning singer Michael Bublé is playing two open-air shows this June. Known for such hits as Feeling Good and Haven’t Met You Yet, the Canadian singer will perform live at Dublin’s Malahide Castle on June 26th, and Thomond Park Stadium, Limerick on June 28th, with special guest Gabrielle at both. Kaleidoscope Festival Russborough House, Blessington, Co Wicklow; July 3rd-5th; kaleidoscopefestival.ie Looking for a festival that caters specifically for families? Kaleidoscope, at Russborough House, Blessington, Co Wicklow, is entirely family focused. Think circus acts, creative workshops, science and nature zones, comedy, storytelling and baby raves. Parents are catered for too, with Pete Tong Ibiza Classics, Natasha Bedingfield and The Saw Doctors. Dermot Kennedy Aviva Stadium, Dublin; July 11th and 12th; ticketmaster.ieDermot Kennedy will play the Aviva Stadium on July 11th and 12th with special guests Amble and Aaron Rowe, as part of his Europe-wide Landmark tour. The much-loved multi-platinum singer/songwriter, who recently released his third album The Weight of the Woods, rarely disappoints. Emeli Sandé will play Galway International Arts Festival's Heineken Big Top on July 18th 2026 For GIAF 2026, sculptor Sean Henry presents a major exhibition of indoor and outdoor works, including new pieces created especially for Galway Galway International Arts Festival July 13th to 26th; giaf.ie Galway’s show-stopping arts festival returns from July 13th to 26th and once again the City of the Tribes will have an atmosphere unlike any other. Highlights include NoFit State’s new circus spectacular show Carnation; Stephanie Lake Company’s sensational Colossus; and the new Druid production of Dion Boucicault’s The Shaughraun. Belfast TradFest July 26th to August 2nd; belfasttradfest.com Fans of traditional music will be spoilt for choice at Belfast Tradfest, taking place across the city from July 26th to August 2nd. Expect world-class trad concerts, fiery pub sessions, and a weeklong traditional music summer school. The line-up includes Solas, Flook and special guests An Chéad Ghlúin Eile. Fairy Festival Loughcrew Gardens, Co Meath; July 19th-20th; loughcrew.comCalling all young fairy lovers! Don your wings for the Fairy Festival in Loughcrew Gardens in Co Meath. Think unicorns, glittering mermaids, and an enchanted fairy trail. There’ll be wand-making workshops, mandala crafting, stilt walkers and aerial hoop displays, and you can make a wish at the wishing tree. Fairy Festival All Together Now Curraghmore Estate, Co Waterford; July 30th to August 2nd; alltogethernow.ieThere’s only one festival to be at this August bank holiday weekend. All Together Now at the Curraghmore Estate, Co Waterford returns with a star-studded line-up that includes Pulp, Kneecap, Disclosure, Underworld, The Mary Wallopers and Christy Moore. You can also expect music, art, food and wellness. Spraoi International Street Arts Festival Waterford; July 30th to August 2nd; spraoi.comThe city of Waterford will burst into life over the August Bank Holiday as the Spraoi International Street Arts Festival returns. This year’s Spraoi will feature street performance, music and art. Expect floats, music, costumes and a dazzling fireworks display on August 2nd. RDS Dublin Horse Show RDS, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4; August 5th-9th; dublinhorseshow.comWhether you’re an equine enthusiast or not, the RDS Dublin Horse Show is a great day out. Expect pony club games and pony jumping for young equestrians; competitive showing and international show-jumping classes for breeders and professional riders; and Irish native breeds will be showcased too. RDS Dublin Horse Show Astrid Tietz enjoys a churro at the food market on Emmet Place at the Cork on a Fork Festival. Photograph: Darragh Kane Cork on a Fork festival Cork; August 12th-16th; corkcity.ieFoodies from across the country will be hotfooting it to the banks of the Lee for the Cork on a Fork Festival. Be among the 500 people taking part in a candlelit dining experience at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, just one of 150 food-themed events taking place. Think cutting-edge street food, food markets, cookery demonstrations, and lots and lots of tastings.Rose of Tralee FestivalTralee; August 14th-18th; roseoftralee.ie More than just a beauty pageant, the Rose of Tralee Festival is a weeklong celebration of Irish identity and culture. It takes over Tralee, Co Kerry each August with parades, live music, markets and a general party atmosphere. The competition, which sees 32 young women of Irish decent compete for the Rose crown, is of course the highlight. Electric Picnic Stradbally, Co Laois; August 28th-30th; electricpicnic.ie Where can you see Gorillaz, Fontaines DC, Zara Larsson and CMAT all play the same venue? At Electric Picnic, of course. The biggest festival of the summer, which typically attracts 80,000 people per year, returns again to take the 600-acre Stradbally Estate in Co Laois by storm. CMAT Custom House Square, Belfast; August 31st and September 1st; cmatbaby.comIf you missed the lady of the moment in Dublin this summer, it might be worth taking a trip up North to see CMAT. The Take a Sexy Picture of Me singer is bringing her country pop anthems and larger than life personality to Belfast. She plays Custom House Square on August 31st and September 1st. Taste of Sligo Sligo; September 19th-21st; tasteofsligo.ie Back for the third year in a row, this year’s Taste of Sligo in Queen Maeve Square, Sligo town, promises a selection of culinary delights from across Ireland. There’ll be live music and children’s entertainment.