Festival feverIn Sligo, we know how to organize a great festival. And some of these festivals occur every year and seem to be getting bigger and better every year. But every year, new festivals make their entrance in Sligo's busy events calendar. So why not visit one of these great festivals and immerse yourself in the great party atmosphere and enjoy the craic.
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Festival in the spotlight
Ballygawley Music Festival
Ballygawley Music Festival was founded in 2019. It is a 3 night music festival (Ballygawley Music Festival) which takes place in Ballygawley Village, Co Sligo.
In 2024, the festival will take place from the 18th July until 21st July. With many artists gracing the stage, it will be guaranteed a festival not to be missed.
With early bird weekend passes at just €52 , buy your tickets now to avoid disappointment.
In 2024, the festival will take place from the 18th July until 21st July. With many artists gracing the stage, it will be guaranteed a festival not to be missed.
With early bird weekend passes at just €52 , buy your tickets now to avoid disappointment.
Sligo Festivals
May
Bealtaine Festival
Established in 1995, Bealtaine is one of Ireland’s largest co-operative festival and the world’s first national celebration of creativity in older age. The Festival has inspired a number of international festivals including Luminate in Scotland, Gwanwyn in Wales, the Age of Creativity in England, and others across the world.
The Festival brings together people from all over Ireland to foster and inspire creativity among older people and to promote the skills, experiences and exposure that can lead to a rich creative life for all older people.
When : TBD
Where: Sligo, County Sligo
The Festival brings together people from all over Ireland to foster and inspire creativity among older people and to promote the skills, experiences and exposure that can lead to a rich creative life for all older people.
When : TBD
Where: Sligo, County Sligo
May
Wild Roots Festival
The Wild Roots Festival is an explosion of music, performing art and adventure. Artists like Rudimental, Mauro Picotto have graced the stage in previous years, ...
Venture around the festival ground and discover the many different areas and stages. From "mighty oak" to "district 22" to "Circus of the Wild" , you are guaranteed a brilliant weekend.
The festival brings you adventure, comedy, crafts, wellness and the unexpected...
With plenty of overnight camping options available, why not make it into a long weekend .
When : 31st May to 03rd june
Where: Sligo, County Sligo
Venture around the festival ground and discover the many different areas and stages. From "mighty oak" to "district 22" to "Circus of the Wild" , you are guaranteed a brilliant weekend.
The festival brings you adventure, comedy, crafts, wellness and the unexpected...
With plenty of overnight camping options available, why not make it into a long weekend .
When : 31st May to 03rd june
Where: Sligo, County Sligo
June
Sligo County Fleadh
The Sligo Fleadh welcomes musicians, dancers and performers from across the County for a rip-roaring traditional music celebration.
During the Fleadh, you can expect competitions, sessions in the local pubs and intimate concerts all showcasing the very best of traditional music talent. Taking place in the seaside village of Easkey, Easkey will welcome Sligo's best traditional musicians who will compete in the many competitions.Be ready for some impromptu sessions kicking off in the local pubs.
When : 31st May - 03rd June 2024
Where: Easkey, County Sligo
During the Fleadh, you can expect competitions, sessions in the local pubs and intimate concerts all showcasing the very best of traditional music talent. Taking place in the seaside village of Easkey, Easkey will welcome Sligo's best traditional musicians who will compete in the many competitions.Be ready for some impromptu sessions kicking off in the local pubs.
When : 31st May - 03rd June 2024
Where: Easkey, County Sligo
June
Wild Atlantic Shanty festival
The Wild Atlantic Shanty Festival brings Shanty groups from home and abroad together to the village of Rosses Point. The Rosses Point Shanty festival supports the work of the RNLI.
Throughout the weekend, enjoy the sun, sing-alongs and other fun activities throughout the day and evening. From the many shanty sessions to the Maugherow Cup, an entertaining motor boat race that is hotly contested each year to the blessing of the boats, it is a weekend centred around Rosses Point's maritime traditions and history.
When : 21st June - 23rd June 2024
Where: Rosses Point, County Sligo
Throughout the weekend, enjoy the sun, sing-alongs and other fun activities throughout the day and evening. From the many shanty sessions to the Maugherow Cup, an entertaining motor boat race that is hotly contested each year to the blessing of the boats, it is a weekend centred around Rosses Point's maritime traditions and history.
When : 21st June - 23rd June 2024
Where: Rosses Point, County Sligo
June
Knocklane Festival
Knocklane Traditional Music Festival is an annual event run by Benbulben Comhaltas.
It is a weekend of music and dance for all ages including concerts, tuition, an opportunity to try out new instruments, history, story telling and lots more.
Meet some of Sligo's best musicians/future musicians who will make sure that the place is filled with music and dance.
Enjoy a session throughout the festival , meet some new friends and have the craic.
When : TBD
Where: Sligo, County Sligo
It is a weekend of music and dance for all ages including concerts, tuition, an opportunity to try out new instruments, history, story telling and lots more.
Meet some of Sligo's best musicians/future musicians who will make sure that the place is filled with music and dance.
Enjoy a session throughout the festival , meet some new friends and have the craic.
When : TBD
Where: Sligo, County Sligo
July
Cairde Sligo Arts Festival
Inspired by the creative energy of Ireland's Northwest, Cairde Sligo Arts festival is a unique coming together of artists and audiences. It is a celebration of imagination and shared experience that welcomes all. Throughout the festival, visitors can experience a variety of events.
These range from newly commissioned spectacles to circus performances to performances on the beach or in the middle of the forest. During the festival, Cairde in the park brings a fun-filled day out .
When : 6 th to 14th July 2024
Where: Sligo, County Sligo
These range from newly commissioned spectacles to circus performances to performances on the beach or in the middle of the forest. During the festival, Cairde in the park brings a fun-filled day out .
When : 6 th to 14th July 2024
Where: Sligo, County Sligo
July
Ballygawley Music Festival
Ballygawley Music Festival was founded in 2019. It is a 3 night music festival which takes place in Ballygawley Village, Co Sligo.
This festival has grown from strength to strength and has seen names like Nathan carter and band, The Tumbling Paddies, Johnny Brady, Derek Ryan and Ruale Buale gracing the stage.
Where the festival brings a variety of acts, it also brings the ever popular kids event in the large marquee where they can join in the fun, dance their hearts out and participate in the many games.
When : 14th to 16th July
Where: Ballygawley, County Sligo
This festival has grown from strength to strength and has seen names like Nathan carter and band, The Tumbling Paddies, Johnny Brady, Derek Ryan and Ruale Buale gracing the stage.
Where the festival brings a variety of acts, it also brings the ever popular kids event in the large marquee where they can join in the fun, dance their hearts out and participate in the many games.
When : 14th to 16th July
Where: Ballygawley, County Sligo
July
Sligo Jazz Project
The Sligo Jazz project exists out of the Jazz festival and the jazz summer school. The Sligo International Jazz Summer School is a 6 day event featuring workshops, masterclasses and jam sessions with some of the world's finest jazz educators and musicians.
The Jazz festival brings some of the big jazz names to Sligo, but also features quality pub/hotel and cafe sessions with the best Irish and and international jazz acts.
When : 25th to 30th July
Where: Sligo, County Sligo
The Jazz festival brings some of the big jazz names to Sligo, but also features quality pub/hotel and cafe sessions with the best Irish and and international jazz acts.
When : 25th to 30th July
Where: Sligo, County Sligo
July
Black pig Festival
The Black Pig Festival takes place every year in the seaside village of Enniscrone.
This summer festival brings you fun family events, a live music marquee by the beach, concerts and sport events.
The opening night brings usually the famous 'pig on a spit' and food fair together with live music and dancing.
Throughout the week, there are many fun family events ranging from yoga to sand castle building to golf competitions.
When : TBD
Where: Enniscrone, County Sligo
This summer festival brings you fun family events, a live music marquee by the beach, concerts and sport events.
The opening night brings usually the famous 'pig on a spit' and food fair together with live music and dancing.
Throughout the week, there are many fun family events ranging from yoga to sand castle building to golf competitions.
When : TBD
Where: Enniscrone, County Sligo
August
The James Morrison Festival
The James Morrison Traditional Music Festival that commemorates the musical genius of James Morrison who was born in Drumfin near Riverstown in 1893. He emigrated to America in 1915 and became famous for his band which played in the Irish Dance halls of Manhattan in New York. He was also a composer and teacher of Irish music. He, together with Michael Coleman and Paddy Killoran (all from Sligo) introduced the “Sligo Style” of fiddle playing which has continued to be played in New York to the present day.
When : TBD
Where: Riverstown, County Sligo
When : TBD
Where: Riverstown, County Sligo
August
Sligo Whiplash Metal fest
The Sligo Whiplash Metal Fest has grown from strength to strength.
The festival brings you some of Ireland's best Metal Bands with names like Panteire, Blood Soaked, Metalmania and many others gracing the stage.
The 2024 Whiplash will be the 8th to take place and will take place as usual in Anderson's Bar & Grill.
Get ready for 2 days of fun and metal.
When : 03rd - 04th August 2024
Where: Sligo, County Sligo
The festival brings you some of Ireland's best Metal Bands with names like Panteire, Blood Soaked, Metalmania and many others gracing the stage.
The 2024 Whiplash will be the 8th to take place and will take place as usual in Anderson's Bar & Grill.
Get ready for 2 days of fun and metal.
When : 03rd - 04th August 2024
Where: Sligo, County Sligo
August
Tubbercurry old Fair Day
Tubbercurry Old Fair Day is a fun family friendly festival for young and old to enjoy every August. The five-day festival carries on the tradition of the fair day of years past. The showcase event takes place on second Wednesday in August, the Old Fair Day.
It is a treasure trove of activities from our demonstrators in our heritage and craft village, showcasing traditions from bygone days of the fair, artisan stalls, vintage displays, animals and live music.
When : TBD
Where: Tubbercurry, County Sligo
It is a treasure trove of activities from our demonstrators in our heritage and craft village, showcasing traditions from bygone days of the fair, artisan stalls, vintage displays, animals and live music.
When : TBD
Where: Tubbercurry, County Sligo
September
Sligo Baroque festival
Sligo Baroque Music Festival began life in 1995, founded by Rod Alston with the Sligo Early Music Ensemble. It has become a well-established highlight in the cultural calendar of Sligo and the north-west of Ireland, taking place on the last weekend of September each year. The festival aims to present high qualityperformance of baroque music in a friendly and informal context, and featuring a mix of Irish and international performers - some with an established international reputation.
When : TBD
Where: Sligo, County Sligo
When : TBD
Where: Sligo, County Sligo
September
Culture Night
Culture Night / Oíche Chultúir is brought to you by the Arts Council; it is a national moment, celebrating culture, creativity and the arts and seeks to actively promote the belief that this rich and varied culture is alive, treasured and nurtured in people’s lives, today and every day. Culture night brings unique events, visual spectacles and a variety of arts installations,... All are made available to the public free of charge and bring an immersive experience.
When : TBD
Where: Sligo, County Sligo
When : TBD
Where: Sligo, County Sligo
October
Sligo Live
Sligo Live is a community centred festival created by musicians and music lovers to showcase the very best of international established and emerging talent.
Over the years, Sligo Live has grown to a well known festival that brings international musicians, comedians and storytellers to the stage.
With many free events throughout the week, immerse yourself in a calendar filled with culture and arts.
When : 27th October to 05th November
Where: Sligo, County Sligo
Over the years, Sligo Live has grown to a well known festival that brings international musicians, comedians and storytellers to the stage.
With many free events throughout the week, immerse yourself in a calendar filled with culture and arts.
When : 27th October to 05th November
Where: Sligo, County Sligo
November
Ballintogher festival
The Ballintogher Traditional Music Festival was established in 1998 to honour the memory of renowned local flute player, John Egan. Traditional music, song and dance were prominent in Lavally, a townland in Ballintogher, over many years with musicians and musical instruments in virtually every house. What started as a weekend event in 1998 has grown with events now ranging over two weeks. There has always been an emphasis on the Irish language during the festival
When : TBC, November
Where: Ballintogher, County Sligo
When : TBC, November
Where: Ballintogher, County Sligo
November
Spilt Milk Festival
Spilt Milk Festival is an annual festival of music, art and film which takes place in November around venues in Sligo town. Spilt Milk Festival was founded in 2019 to extend Sligo’s artistic and festival calendar into the winter and provide a platform for experimental art across music, sound art, video and film. Presenting national and international artists alongside emerging local acts drawn from the leftfield and fringes of alternative music.
When : TBC, November
Where: Sligo, County Sligo
When : TBC, November
Where: Sligo, County Sligo