Updated on:
by
Ciaran Connolly
Ciaran Connolly
Galway is a lively city in the west of Ireland, and there is no shortage of festivals or events. In this article, we will provide a seasonal guide to all of our favourite major annual events in Galway every month so you know the best ongoing festivals and events in Galway during your stay!
Once you have decided when to go to Galway, why not check out our list of the top 25 pubs in Galway City so you can plan your night out before arriving?
Table of Contents
Summer
Fleadh na gCuach Festival 2023, May
The Fleadh na gCuach Festival is a traditional music and community-based arts festival celebrating its 28th year. It is held in Kinvara, about 30km from Galway city.
Every year, the festival is held on the first weekend in May (the May bank holiday) and hosts a range of traditional music, set dances, singing sessions, and poetry readings. You can also take traditional Irish dancing lessons throughout the weekend!
Dip at Dawn, June
On the 21st of June, the longest day of the year or the Summer Solstice, the Galway Simon Community hold annual events in Galway, including ‘Dip at Dawn’ at 4.20 pm on Salthill Beach. The Galway Simon Community work to raise funds for people facing homelessness in Galway.
Participants can participate in a beach yoga session before their dip in the sea, and hot beverages will be ready to serve.
Registration costs €30, and 100% of proceeds go directly to Galway Simon Community. Not only is this a great thing to do for charity, but the event is also a memorable experience in itself.
The Galway Races, 25th-31st July
An excuse to dress up, have a few drinks, and maybe even place a bet on a lucky horse, the Galway races are a fun week-out that continues into the cities’ best pubs at night.
Numerous events occur on various days, including Opening Day celebrations and Galway Plate Day.
One of the most famous days in Irish horse racing, Ladies Day is an event for fashion lovers. The best-dressed ladies and gentlemen win significant prizes, and even if you are not interested in the competition, it is a fun excuse to dress up and enjoy yourself.
One of the most popular events in Galway, the Races, is a genuinely iconic festival.
Galway race week takes place from Monday, July 25th, to Sunday, July 31st, 2022. You can find more information about Race Week here. If you enjoy a lively atmosphere, horse racing, and dressing up, race week is a great time to visit Galway.
Galway International Arts Festival 2022, 11th – 24th July
For lovers of music, art, drama and all things creative, the Galway International Arts Festival is one of the most well-known events in Galway. The colourful city becomes even more vibrant with shows, concerts and parades galore. In 2022, the GIAF takes place from the 11th to the 24th of July
The arts festival is a great time to visit the city if you are looking for enjoyable day events and a lively pub scene. It brings out many tourists and locals alike.
Galway Fringe Festival 2022, July
From the 8th – 24th of July, the Galway Fringe Festival celebrates the wide range of arts Galway offers, from music to art, drama, and everything in between! With so many artistic events in Galway, the city is a hotspot for creatives.
Autumn
Trad on the Prom 2022, May – September
One of Ireland’s best traditional music, dance, and singing festivals, Trad on the Prom is another of many musical events in Galway. Performers from Riverdance, The Chieftains, and Lord of the Dance have all graced the stage in the past. If you enjoy country music, Trad on the Prom is the place to be.
The Trad takes place every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday at Leisureland Theatre. The prom website has more information on the Trad.
Galway Tattoo Show 2022, August
The International Galway Tattoo Show takes place in the Galmont Hotel, showcasing the best tattoo artists from Ireland and worldwide! Another show that proves there is no shortage of artistic events in Galway.
Galway International Oyster Festival, September
For seafood lovers, September is the ideal time to visit the city of the Tribes, which is one of Europe’s oldest food festivals. You can find great seafood around the city, especially during the Galway International Oyster Festival!
Following the festival’s seafood trail will lead you to some of Galway’s best pubs and restaurants. Regarding food, the Oyster Festival is one of the best events in Galway.
Run Galway Bay (Full / Half Marathon & 10K), September
The Galway Bay Run attracts local and international athletes alike, you can experience the breath-taking views of the Galway Bay on foot, an experience like no other!
Baboró International Arts Festival for Children
Baboró is an annual international arts festival for children that will take place from October 14th to 23rd, 2022.
To inspire and engage children with the creative arts, Barboró works to promote the personal development of children creatively.
Michael D. Higgins, President of Ireland, is a patron of the Baboró International Arts Festival for Children. With a children’s panel that helps to decide on the best events for the festival, Baboró is an event made by our youth, for our youth.
One of Galway’s most popular family-friendly events, Baboró offers something for everyone!
Winter
The Galway Christmas Market, November – December
From late November to the 22nd of December, Eyre Square, the centre of Galway city, transforms into one of Ireland’s premier Christmas markets. Browse the market for handcrafted gifts, crepes, and hot chocolate, or simply walk through the park, taking in the spectacular lights.
There is even a beer tent with large steins of beer, hot whiskeys available, and Christmas music to get you in the festive mood.
One of my personal favourite events in Galway, the Christmas market, is a must-see if you are in Ireland during December!
Ice skating at Leisure Land Salthill, late November – early January
Leisureland in Salthill is transformed into a beautiful Christmas attraction with a 600m squared enclosed ice rink and a festive market to enjoy.
Ice skating is a great way to get into the festive mood and kick off the Christmas season the right way. It can be a fun group and family activity or even a seasonal hobby.
Situated along the promenade overlooking Galway Bay, the ice rink is beside Leisureland, which has ample on-site parking.
There are numerous festive events in Galway, but ice skating is one of the most iconic Christmas activities.
Christmas Swim for Cope 2022
An annual fundraiser, the Christmas Swim for Cope, hopes to bring people together to raise money for homelessness, survivors of domestic abuse and services for older people in need of support.
There are many charitable events in Galway that you can register for or donate to.
Sea swimming has gained massive popularity in recent years, with physical and mental well-being benefits. Many families have started a new Christmas tradition in Galway by swimming in the sea around the holidays. Why not register for the Christmas Swim for Cope and try out festive sea swimming for yourself?
Spring
Subtitle Film Festival – January
A festival celebrating foreign films, the Subtitle Film Festival is a fun way for any cinema lover to spend time in Galway
The festival, hosted by the Galway Town Hall Theatre, will take place over the last weekend of January 2023. It will consist of 11 films shown over three days.
Another one of many artistic events in Galway, the subtitle film festival is worth a visit for any movie buffs.
Subtitle film festival from 2020, an example of the event programme.
Astrofest – Galway Astronomy Festival, January 28th
Now in its 19th year, the Galway Astronomy Festival welcomes professionals and beginners to discuss astronomy and help each other to star gaze successfully.
Astrofest is one of the best events in Galway for any science lover. It takes place on the last Saturday, 28th of January 2023.
Would you like to learn how to stargaze?
Galway International Rally 2023, February
The Corrib Oil Galway International Rally began in 1971 and will be hosting its 52nd event in 2023. 240km of competitive driving of closed road stages around Loughrea, The Rally always attracts a large crowd of locals and tourists alike.
Car lovers will enjoy this event on the first weekend in February.
#Nooooeeeel #MurphyMotorsport pic.twitter.com/9PaHIwHNdB
— Murphy Motorsport (@Murphymotorspor) February 2, 2020
Seachtain na Gaeilge Festival 2023, March
The annual Seachtain na Gaeilge, or Weeks of Irish festival, will take place from 1 to 17 March 2023. The world’s largest Irish language festival will be held all over the country and internationally.
There will be many events in Galway held in Ireland. The importance of the event is to immerse ourselves in the Irish language further, and everyone is welcome, fluent and non-fluent speakers alike! If you want to celebrate and learn the Irish language, you are in the right place.
With many events in Galway, Ireland and worldwide, Seachtain na Gaeilge is the perfect time to celebrate Irish culture and tradition.
Tedfest – Fr. Ted Festival 2023, 2nd-5th March
Taking place from the 2nd-5th March on the isle of Inis Mór, Tedfest is the ultimate event for any fans of the popular Channel 4 TV show.
With special guest appearances from original cast members, some of the main events include references to the show, such as The Lovely Girls Competition, The Craggy Cup, Ted’s Got Talent, and Craggy Island’s Fittest Family, to name a few.
Fans often dress up as characters from the show, so don’t be surprised if you see a gang of priests and nuns on the Aran islands that weekend!
Utterly bizarre yet enjoyable, one thing is certain: Tedfest will be a weekend to remember! Like its TV counterpart, Tedfest, one of the most specific events in Galway, has a cult following.
Múscailt – Annual Arts Festival
Hosted by the National University of Ireland Galway, Múscailt is an annual arts festival on the college campus that provides a platform for original and inventive artwork, music, dance, film, and much more. NUI Galway and ATU Galway participate in many events throughout the year, and many event attendees are college alumni.
Did you know? In Irish, múscailt means ‘to awaken, to inspire, to create’.
St. Patrick’s Day
The 17th of March is a great time to visit Galway. The city will be flooded with people watching the parade and enjoying themselves in pubs. St. Patrick’s Day is a time when Irish tradition is in full flow throughout the city.
St. Patrick’s Day is one of Ireland’s most famous events in Galway and internationally. It’s a day when everyone is a little bit Irish!
Cúirt International Festival of Literature 2023, April
Literature lovers need look no further than Cúirt International Festival of Literature 2023, which will run from April 3rd to 9th.
Featuring an exciting range of Irish and international writers in Galway for readings, workshops, signings, discussions, and over 70 other events, you will find something you’ll enjoy!
In its 38th year, the festival prides itself on offering a wide range of events, many of them free, ranging from poetry to prose, music and theatre to masterclasses and family fun days.
The popular Cúirt labs, a series of talks and workshops for children and teenagers, will return.
Inis Oírr Wild Atlantic Island Run, April
Another running activity with a view, the Inis Oírr Wild Atlantic Island Run, will take place on Saturday, 22nd April 2023. You can register for a 5km or 10km run. It is a great way to see the island of Inis Oírr. While many people may want to sit back and relax on holidays, if you would like an adventure and a bit of exercise, the run could be a fun experience for you.
Even if you don’t fancy going on a run, one of the best things to do in Galway is to visit the many islands and appreciate the views. You can find out all of the logistics on the Inis Oírr Wild Atlantic Island Run website.
You can find more events on Galway Tourism’s official website! Which of the above events in Galway would you like to attend? Let us know in the comments below!
After spending day attending one of these events, why not relax for the evening in the 25 best pubs in Galway city! If you’re looking for somewhere to stay, we have listed some of our favourite hotels in Galway. Outside of the city, Galway has so much to offer, from Connemara national park, Clifden, Dunguaire castle to Turoe Petfarm.
