Throughout the year there is a festival happening somewhere in Galway. From the new week-long St.Patricks’ Day Festival in March to the infamous Galway Racing Festival in July there is a festival for everyone to enjoy in Galway.
Trad on the Prom
Date: May - September 2012 (Definite dates to be confirmed)
Showcasing the very pinnacle of contemporary Irish traditional culture, Trad on the Prom the show, returns for its sixth consecutive season to the Salthill promenade, where it has proven to be the holiday highlight for its many tens of thousands of visitors each year.
Dates: 17 May 2012 - 20 May 2012
The Galway Early Music Festival is an annual event which features medieval, renaissance and baroque music and dance. Concerts by internationally recognised performers using historical instruments, workshops and costumed street performance, coupled with the West of Ireland's unique welcome and warmth, make this the place to be in May for a taste of medieval, renaissance and baroque magic!
Galway African Film Festival
Email: trisha@galwayafricanfilmfestival.org Web: www.galwayafricanfilmfestival.org
The festival will screen a selection of films from various countries in Africa that will showcase the wealth of talent in African cinema.
June 2012
Havana Cultura
Dates: Friday, 1st - Sunday, 3rd June 2012
Havana Cultura (formerly Little Havana Festival) returns to Galway's Latin Quarter over the June Bank Holiday weekend, 1st-3rd June. Galway's Latin Quarter will be alive with Latin music, dance, street entertainment, art and cultural events. Over 60 free events will be taking place over the weekend, courtesy of Havana Club, the Authentic Cuban Rum. This is a unique opportunity for visitors to immerse themselves in a colorful Cuban atmosphere reminiscent of Havana itself.Returning to the Havana Cultura stage this year are the legendary Cuban All Stars, the eclectic Sabor Cubano and the Cuban Jazz Project. International performers La Tinto Bros., local heroes the Disconauts and Galway's very own eight-piece salsa band Cuba Libre, will also feature. Groovalizacion DJs will bring their vibes, grooves and cultural fusions to the Latin Quarter, with a host of other bands and DJs from around the world, ensuring the pulse of Havana is felt throughout the city.
Mumford & Sons (plus Special Guests)
Date: 9th June 2012
Location: Salthill Park, Galway
Contact: www.ticketmaster.ie
Mumford & Sons will play a one-day outdoor concert in Salthill Park, Galway on the 09th June 2012. The concert will also feature an impressive line-up of special guests / support acts including The Vaccines, Willy Mason, Zulu Winter, Nathaniel Rateliff and The Correspondents.
Galway Sessions
Dates: 11th - 17th June 2012
The 11th Traditional Galway Sessions Music Festival takes place in multiple venues in Galway City from the 11th-17th June, including the Crane Bar, Róisín Dubh, Monroe's Tavern, Monroe's Live, The Quays Bar, Tigh Neachtáin, The King's Head, Tigh Cóilí, Taffees Bar, Western Hotel and Murty Rabbitt's.
Volvo Ocean Race Finale
Date: 3rd - 8th July 2012
Location: Galway
Web: www.volvooceanrace.com
The yachts in the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-2012 are due to arrive in Galway City on Tuesday July 3, 2012. From the 3rd - 8th July 2012 Galway will be transformed into one big outdoor festival venue, the largest ever to take place in the medieval city. Pro-Am racing will take place in Galway Bay on Friday, July 6 and In-Port Racing is scheduled for Saturday, July 7th. Both of these events will be viewed from the Promenade in Salthill but only the in-port race will be competitive in terms of earning points for teams' overall standing in the round the world event.
Dates: 3rd - 8th July 2012
Location: Galway City Centre
Telephone: +353 (0)91 751655
E-mail: gafleadh@iol.ie Web: www.galwayfilmfleadh.com
The Galway Film Fleadh, a six day international event, takes place every year in July. Celebrating its 24th birthday in 2012, the central goal of the Galway Film Fleadh remains unchanged: to bring together audiences and filmmakers within an intimate environment, and share a common experience - the wonder of cinema. It is based in the Town Hall Theatre, Galway Omniplex and on location in the county with the aid of Cinemobile, Irelands Travelling Cinema. The Fleadh will present a programme of over 70 Irish and International features, and a diverse range of events including: Masterclasses, Seminars, Outreach events, Debate and Public Interview.
Galway Cathedral Recitals
Date: 5th July - 9th August 2012
Location: Galway Cathedral, Galway City
Tel:091 531438
E-mail: music@galwaycathedral.ie
Web:www.recitals.galwaycathedral.ie & www.galwaycathedral.org/recitals
Galway Cathedral Recitals is an international series of weekly summer evening concerts in the marvelous setting of Galway's stone Cathedral. The concerts take place at 20.00 on Thursday evenings from the 5th July to the 9th August in 2012.
Date: 16th - 29th July 2012
Location: Galway City Centre
Tel: +353(0) 91 509700
E-mail: info@gaf.iol.ie Web: www.galwayartsfestival.ie
Galway Arts Festival is Ireland's largest annual arts festival, taking place each July in the city of Galway. Founded in 1978, the Festival collaborates with artists and companies throughout the world to produce and present an international programme of theatre, spectacle, dance, visual arts, music, literature & comedy involving hundreds of artists and performers. The Festival includes parades, street performances and numerous plays, musical concerts and comedy acts. Over the years the Festival has developed a reputation to rival the near-hedonistic atmosphere which envelopes the city of Galway during those weeks. Highlights of the festival tend to be Macnas and Druid performances, two large local performance groups.
Galway Races- Summer Festival
Date: 30th July - 5th August 2012
Location: Galway Racecourse, Ballybrit
Tel: +353(0) 91 753870
E-mail: information@galwayraces.com Web: www.galwayraces.com
The Summer Festival Race Meeting at the Galway Races is renowned worldwide for its electric atmosphere, excellent racing and infectious sense of fun.'The festival runs for 7 days from the last Monday in July each year. The busiest days of the festival are Wednesday, when the Galway Plate is held, and Thursday, when the Galway Hurdle and Ladies' Day take place.Join us at the Clayton Hotel, located directly across from Ballybrit Racecourse, for a host of dining and entertainment options. Great hotel deals on accommodation for Galway Races are now available. Free Entertainment Nightly.
September 2012
Date: 7th - 9th September 2012
Location: Clarenbridge, Co.Galway
Tel: 091 796766
E-mail: info@clarenbridge.com Web: www.clarenbridge.com
The Oyster Festival at Clarinbridge has taken place every September since 1954, with guests from all over the world returning annually to celebrate the new Oyster season. As well as eating oysters there is plenty for visitors to enjoy, with entertainment, music and dancing especially, as well as a very dressy gala ball. There will also be a traditional market day on the village green and a chance to get out into and learn about the oyster beds and the surrounding countryside in the company of naturalists Gordon D'arcy and Paul Gossling.
Galway Americana Festival
Date: 13th - 16th September 2012
Location: Galway City
Email: petelamb2000@yahoo.com
The Galway Americana Festival aims to bring quality American roots, music and dance to the West of Ireland, showcasing relevant bands from Ireland and Europe, as well as American bands. The festival aims to present a broader spectrum of folk forms than might be found at a regular 'Bluerass' festival, so the music will range from Old Time to Cajun to Blues, etc. It also strives to highlight the relationship that Irish trad music shares with much American folk, and celebrate the Atlantic 'crossover' of these tunes and styles, which Irish audiences, as well as tourists, in recent years seem to have an increasing appetite for. Other events include a classic American caar show, barn dances (complete with dance 'caller), musicology lectures, exhibitions, open sessions and more. There will also be more family-friendly events and workshops this year.
58th Galway International Oyster Festival
Date: 28th - 30th September 2012
Location: Galway City
Tel: +353 (0) 91 587992 / +353 (0) 91 527282
E-mail: info@galwayoysterfest.com Web: www.galwayoysterfest.com
Each September, Galway City comes alive with seafood & oysters as it celebrates the Galway International Oyster & Seafood Festival, the most internationally recognised food festival in Ireland and the world's longest running International Oyster Festival. Throughout the festival, a host of tantalising events to wet your appetite will take place, including; a dine-around in a selection of Galway City's finest restaurants, the National Oyster Opening Championship, the Festival Parade through the streets of Galway, the World Oyster Opening Championship, a Glamorous Black Tie Ball and the Festival Finale with family activities, kids fancy dress, live music, cooking demonstrations, Irish Coffee Olympics and jive & jazz.
Baboró - International Arts Festival for Children
Date: 15th - 21st October 2012
Location: Galway City Centre
Tel: 091 562667
E-mail: admin@baboro.ie Web: www.baboro.ie
An outrageously, beautiful joyous programme of dance, percussion, theatre, clowning, puppetry, music, literature and visual art awaits kids at this year's Baboró Galway International Arts Festival for Children.Today, Baboró International Arts Festival for Children is recognised as the leading Irish Arts Festival devoted exclusively to children. Over 60,000 children have attended shows and participated in workshops since Baboró began in 1997. Baboró celebrates its 16th birthday in 2012, and will feature performances from countries as diverse as The Netherlands, Canada, Denmark, Portugal and Ireland Performers from around the world will converge on Galway bringing dozens of shows which include puppetry, music, theatre, dance, storytelling and juggling. Workshops have a central place, getting children involved in creating their own art and exploring their creative sides. There are art exhibitions, music concerts, literature events and special screenings of films.
Galway Aboo Halloween Festival
Dates: 26th - 28th October 2012
Something spooktacular is taking place in Galway's Latin Quarter this Halloween Weekend. From Saturday 29th to Monday 31st, the city's medieval streets will host the country's biggest Halloween Festival with many fun and free events planned for the weekend with high-spirits guaranteed.
The Galway Races - Autumn Festival
Date: 27th - 29th October 2012
Location: Galway Racecourse, Ballybrit, Galway
Tel: +353 (0) 91 753870
E-mail: information@galwayraces.com Web: www.galwayraces.com
Adrenalin-pumping action, heart-stopping finishes and breath-taking fashion; you are at the Galway Races. This 3-day meeting with a mixture of flat and national hunt racing. Commencing on Sunday 9th August, this race meeting, which is getting more popular year on year, offers great racing, entertainment, excitement and great value for money.
Spirit Of Voice Festival
Dates: 10th - 12th November 2012
Tel: +353 (0)86 3367129
Email: eqfx@eircom.net Web: www.spiritofvoice.com
The annual Spirit of Voice Festival is a cultural celebration of song and spoken word. It will take place at multiple venues in Galway City from the 10th-12th November. The festival is organised by Ger Mulkerrins and Lorna McDowell, Litehaus Productions. This is Galway's multi-cultural festival which features song and spoken words from stylish voices that make this city a unique refreshing and talented place to live. Forms of performance will include - sean nós, rap, choirs, gospel, soul, slam, poetry, overtone, opera and storytelling. Communities represented will include Asian, African, South American, Eastern European, Canadian and Caribbean Irish.
