Arts festival

Galway International Arts Festival

Galway International Arts Festival

Festival is special

Galway International Arts Festival is the Festival of extraordinary experiences, a creative collision of performance, music, visual art, theatre and spectacle. Whether turning a small Irish city on its head for two weeks, taking work on an international tour, or being a forceful year-round presence, every experience of the Galway International Arts Festival is an unforgettable encounter.

Rooted in Galway, the Festival unlocks peoples' passions and inspires new ways of thinking and acting. We are creative collision makers, sparking connections between the arts, between audiences and performers, between Galway and the world. Every encounter with Galway International Arts Festival is an invitation to join our 21st cultural pilgrimage seeking new horizons, embracing creativity and the unexpected.

Strolling along the cobbled streets, every turn offers the possibility for new adventure; surreal giant puppets snaking through the streets, enchanting music, enthralling musicans and awe-inspiring street theatre.

From the all-out party atmosphere at the Festival Big Top to the quiet contemplation in the Festival galleries...the Festival transforms the city through the arts in an engaging, fun and authentic way. If you happen to visit Galway during the arts festival, expect to be transformed too.

The Festival is special. Worlds, cultures and dreams collide inspiring passion, creativity and new ways of thinking.

This hugely popular festival features 45 shows over 7 fun filled days and nights, making Galway the place to be. Check out www.thegalwaycomedyfestival.ie for details on tickets and call the hotel directly or book online for fantastic room rates over this busy festival period.

The Galway Races is an annual horse-racing festival. It takes place on the last Monday of July for 7 days. It is the longest horse race meet in Ireland. The Galway races take place at the Ballybrit Racecourse in Galway. The Galway Races is a festival for everyone. Some of the highlights of the Galway Races include Ladies Day, Friday’s Fair Lady and Family Day.

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Ireland’s longest running Christmas Market, the Galway Continental Christmas Market, appears in Galway on a yearly basis. The Christmas Market Galway fills the city centre with joy and plenty for all to see and do, with over 50 wooden chalets lining the square offering scrumptious seasonal treats and a large variety of crafts.
Food lovers can feast on everything from German Bratwurst, Traditional Crepes, Irish handmade fudge, Chimney cakes and other indulgent confectionery from over 60 traders as well as a range of hot food at the charcoal grills. For those who fancy a sociable tipple there will be traditional mulled wine and beer served in steins in the Beer Keller. For the perfect Christmas Gift browse among the broad range of Artisan traders showcasing handmade food and crafts.
Festive visitors can enjoy a wide variety of entertainment with carol singing and live music throughout the five-week market fair, and kids and adults alike can get in the Christmas spirit on board Santa’s Express Train, the traditional Carousel, or by taking a spin on the highly popular 32m observation wheel, offering a fabulous birds-eye view of Eyre Square and all the vibrant decoration and lights.
Back on the ground, families and friends can enjoy a walk through the enchanted light gardens providing the backdrop for a Christmas Market photo, stop off at Santa’s postbox, interact with local charities and much more.

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