Festivals

These range from musical celebrations, to comedy events that will cause you to laugh until your sides are aching. As a cuisine capital of Ireland, food and drink are also regularly celebrated, with a range of events and things to do in Kilkenny taking place throughout the year.

At the Newpark Hotel, we’re located just a five minute journey from the Kilkenny city centre. This allows us to enjoy the buzz of the city; without compromising our guests’ rest. As regular festival attendees, the welcoming staff at our hotel have listed their favourite upcoming events in Kilkenny for you to enjoy:

Kilkenny Tradfest
Kilkenny City

 Wrapped around St Patrick’s Festival on the 15th-18th March, why not come along with all of the family and take in the Kilkenny St.Patrick’s Day Parade. Line the streets to support local groups and be entertained by their performances as they parade the streets of the city. Immerse yourself in a rich programme of events with workshops, masterclasses and acts.. 

Smithwick’s Kilkenny Roots Festival
Kilkenny City

Running over the may Bank holiday weekend each year this festival features a mix of Irish and International acts from USA, Canada and the UK.  In addition to 20 ticketed show, over 60 free performances will take place on the Music Trail in venues throughout the City.

Cat Laughs Comedy Festival 
Kilkenny City

Cat Laughs has grown from a small event comprising a handful of shows in 1995 to an internationally acclaimed festival which showcases the very best in Irish & international comedy acts through out the June bankholiday weekend. The festival attracts in excess of 30,000 visitors to Kilkenny City

Kilkenny Arts Festival
Kilkenny City

     First founded in 1974, Kilkenny Arts Festival is a time for musicians, performers, writers, and artists from all over the world to gather in our medival every August, for 10 days of celebrating all things creative. This is a special time for artists to have intimate interactios with their audiences. 8th-18th August 2024

Kilkenny Animated

Hosted by Kilkenny’s multi-award winning animation studios, Cartoon Saloon and Lighthouse Studios, Kilkenny Animated is thoughtfully curated to appeal to animation lovers of all ages, from the kids who love cartoons to the professionals who make the magic happen – and everyone in between!4th Oct - 6th Oct 2024

Kilkenomics Festival
Kilkenny City

 Kilkenomics is the Worlds first festival that incorporates economics and comedy. For the past decasde Kilkenomics has brought together some of the world's leading economists, financial analysts and media commentators with some of our funniest, sharpest standup comedians. We've been called "Davos with jokes". This festival is hosted on the 7th-10th November 2024

Savour Kilkenny - Festival of Food 
Kilkenny City

 Taking place every October Bank Holiday Weekend, Savour Kilkenny is a time to enjoy food markets, cookery demonstrations, food art, food debates and discussions as well as lots of dining events in local hotels, restaurants, cafes and bars. It embraces all sectors of the food community from artisan producers to restaurateurs. Savour is held on the 25th-28th October 2024

Yulefest

Celebrate Christmas in Kilkenny with Yulefest! Showcasing festive events across the county from November to January. Join us for Santa’s official arrival to the city on Saturday 30th of November to launch the 2024 Yulefest Christmas Market!