There are LOADS of things to do in Dublin this summer, from festivals to concerts, sports to shows, exhibitions to musicals. To help you to choose the best things to do during your stay here are our 11 top things to do this summer in Ireland’s capital city:
1. Bloom Festival
Bloom Festival has quickly become the biggest and most successful garden, home and food festival in Ireland AND one of our biggest annual tourist attractions. It takes place over the June Bank Holiday (2nd – 6th) in the Phoenix Park, Dublin and is organised by Bord Bia, the Irish Food Board. This year will be its 10th and, as always, there will be lots and lots of exhibits on show including cooking demonstrations, tastings, show gardens, sculptures, botanical art, craft displays as well as open farmyards.
2. Bryan Adams
THE concert of the summer for 2016 in Dublin has to be multi-platinum Canadian superstar Bryan Adams. On May 10th he’ll bring his world tour to Dublin’s 3Arena on the riverfront in celebration of the release of his 13th studio album and the 30th anniversary of the release of his critically-acclaimed album Reckless.
3. Dublin Gay Theatre Festival
As a gay-friendly hotel, the Dublin Gay Theatre festival is a big deal for us. The largest event of its type in the world, every year it celebrates the contribution of gay people to theatre, past and present. There’s an emphasis on new or recent international and Irish works with a broadly gay theme or relevance which means there will be some fascinating works and performances to see. It runs from May 4th to the 17th.
4. Dublin Docklands Festival
The Dublin Docklands Summer Festival will take place is on Grand Canal Dock on 21st & 22nd May. From a wakeboarding extravaganza to international street performers, a rafting challenge to floating golf, a rubber duck race to kayaking, DJs, music, dance, food and craft markets, a kiddies funfair to a barge gathering – there’s a whole weekend of fun planned.
5. Dublin Port River Fest
Over the June Bank Holiday weekend (Saturday 4th to Monday 6th), North Wall Quay will once again play host to the Dublin Port Riverfest, a unique celebration and programme of entertainment and family fun. Three tall ships are due to arrive together with four schooners, there will be kayak lessons, river tours and the ever-popular tugboat dances.
6. Dublin Horse Show
The Dublin Horse Show is an institution. For many people in Ireland it’s the highlight of the summer and runs annually for five days, Wednesday to Sunday following the August bank holiday weekend. It has something for everyone – whether you want to see international show jumping or you are just looking for a fun day out with family or friends.
7. Longitude
Longitude Festival returns to Marlay Park from 15th – 17th July. It all kicks off with Kendrick Lamar on the festival’s opening night with Major Lazer leading the line-up on Saturday while The National will close the festival on Sunday.
8. Laya Healthcare City Spectacular
Laya Healthcare City Spectacular with over 200 spectacular shows, workshops and activities this is Ireland’s biggest free summer festival. Last year there were over 14,000 people dressed as Where’s Wally together with a custard pie throwing championship, a rainbow disco and hundreds of jaw-dropping street performers from all over the world. This year promises to be even better with 250,000 people expected around Dublin’s Merrion Square and Cork’s Fitzgerald Park.
9. Breakfast at Tiffany’s
Pulitzer Prize finalist, Tony and Olivier Award-winning playwright Richard Greenberg and acclaimed director Nikolai Foster team up to bring a new stage and music production of Truman Capote’s classic tale of Holly Golightly. If you remember, Holly was brilliantly portrayed by Audrey Hepburn in the iconic 1961 film, Breakfast at Tiffany’s. This time it’s the turn of the multi award-winning Pixie Lott to play the lead. From June 13th to 18th in the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre.
10. Bloomsday Festival
Every year, in Dublin, Bloomsday Festival celebrates June 16th which is the day depicted in James Joyce’s novel Ulysses. The festival takes place over six days from the 11th and is a lively celebration of all things Joyce by avid Joyceans from all over the world who descend on Dublin for the week.
11. Festival of Curiosity
If you’re asking “What’s this?” then the Festival of Curiosity is for you. It runs from July 21st to 24th and is Ireland’s annual celebration at the intersection of art, science, technology and design. It has already become one of the most exciting and innovative festivals of its kind in Europe.
So there are 11 of the best things you can do in Dublin this summer – start planning your dream itinerary now. For more ideas, follow us on Facebook and we’ll keep you in the loop.