Sligo Festivals 2018
There always seems to be something going on in Sligo and plenty of festivals to suit everyone. If you have any festivals to add please contact sligohub@gmail.com Here are the festivals we know of so far for 2018
This is a 2018 post. For up to date posts click here: https://sligohub.com/
March
Sunday 25th March between 10am to 11pm in Clayton Hotel, Sligo.
“Change Your Mind Festival” The aim of the festival is to raise awareness regarding the importance of prevention and fight against Stigma in mental health. The festival has something for people of all ages including music, drumming classes, art, talks, a 5km run and so much more.
Spring Fest in Dromore West from Good Friday – Easter Monday. Including Pride of Place and a mini farmer and fairy tractor run.
April
Shore Shots, 20th – 22nd April. Irish Surf Festival, Sligo. Join surfers from all over the world for talks, adventures and more.
May
Bealtaine Festival. A countrywide festival running for the whole of May celebrating the arts and creativity as we age. Sligo events will be updated shortly.
My Old Hometown Gurteen 4th, 5th, 6th May Country Music Festival including Jimmy Buckley, Paddy Feeney, Gerry Guthrie and more.
Sligo Chamber Festival 4th – 7th May. Taking place in St Columba’s Church Drumcliffe and The Model Sligo over the May bank holiday weekend, Sligo International Chamber Music Festival is a highlight in the annual calendar of music events.
7th – 13th May Cos Cos Sean Nos Festival, Sligo join some of the country’s finest Sean Nós dancers, musicians, singers, poets and storytellers as they gather in the shadow of Benbulben.
June
Benbulben Carnival 2nd and 3rd June. It will be weekend of music and dance including a parade and street parties. All proceeds raised will benefit local charities.
The Lily Lolly Yeats Festival June 7th – 15th 2018 invites you to celebrate the legacy of Susan and Elizabeth Yeats affectionately known as Lily and Lolly.
Wild Atlantic Sea Shanty June 15th – 18th. Rosses Point comes alive with shanty singers from all over the world.
July
Cairde Sligo Arts Festival 7th – 15th July. Celebrating cultural diversity and inclusion and fun for all the family.
Benbulben Country Music Festival 8th July. Featuring a stellar line-up of legends, including: – Michael English – Patrick Feeney – Derek Ryan -Mike Denver -Jimmy Buckley & Cliona Hagan.
South Sligo Summer School. 15th-21st July. Summer School of Traditional Irish Music, Song & Dance held in the South Sligo town of Tubbercurry.
Yeats International Summer School 19th – 27th July. Lectures, trips, poetry, music and of course the stunning Sligo landscape.
Sligo Jazz Project takes place from 24th – 29th July. There’s a summer school, quality pub/hotel/cafe sessions and some top class musicians from all over the world.
Black Pig Festival, Enniscrone, Co. Sligo. A festival celebrating a black pig who was possessed and ate everyone in her path! There are no man eating pigs at this festival (hopefully!) but there is a funfair, fireworks, soapbox derby and more.
August
The Old Fair Day Festival, Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo. 4th – 8th August A step back in time with this festival, see Ireland used to be in the fair days of the past. Family friendly event and most of it is free.
Sligo Summer Festival. 9th – 12th August. Sligo comes alive with music with the gig rig in the centre of town. Previous acts have included Wheatus, Aslan, Boney M and more.
South Sligo Walking Festival in the heart of the Ox Mountains. 2018 dates to be confirmed.
18th – 26th August. National Heritage Week. A week long celebration of our Irish heritage. Lots of free family events taking place all over the island of Ireland.
September
Celtic Fringe Festival, Grange, Co. Sligo. 21st – 23rd September. Remembering the Spanish Armada and celebrating the links between Spain and Ireland.
Sligo Festival of Baroque Music 28th – 30th September at The Model.
October
Sligo Live 24th-29th October. Folks, roots and indie music festival. Line-up yet to be announced.
Easkey Scarecrow Festival, Sligo takes place around Halloween. Take a drive through the village of Easkey and see all the fantastic scarecrows.
November
11th – 18th November. Science Week, a countrywide festival celebrating science with talks, workshops, demos and more.
Sligo International Choral Festival 16th – 18th November – the 30th anniversary of this festival where choirs come from all over the world to take part in various competitions and concerts.
