(Photo courtesy of Jennifer O’Sullivan, Fáilte Ireland)
Kerry’s summer calendar is packed with events that celebrate the best of music, culture, and community. With a diverse lineup of events ranging from food to wellness to motorsport or creative arts, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Here are ten events you won’t want to miss this summer.
#artandmusic at Féile na Bealtaine in Dingle
Féile na Bealtaine began in 1994 and occurs annually throughout the Dingle Peninsula each May Bank Holiday weekend. It has established itself as a top-ranking voluntary community festival – a reliably high standard, energetic, open festival, welcoming to all that have sympathies with the area, and an artistic home to dozens of local performing artists. The festival invites contributors to push boundaries, exploring new venues, experiments with form and collaborate, while remaining true to the festival’s deep roots in a rural community.
Dates: 1st – 5th May 2025
Féile na Bealtaine: community music and arts festival in Dingle, Kerry
#yogaandmeditation at Moya Ballybunion
The beautiful seaside town of Ballybunion is home to MOYA — a festival of Meditation, Ocean, Yoga and Art. MOYA showcases a wealth of local talent practicing in the areas of art, holistic therapies and wellness. MOYA is a festival where you reconnect with your creativity and intuition through engaging workshops, experiencing rejuvenation and healing with experts. Relax and connect at MOYA 2025, in Ballybunion by the Sea.
Dates: 2nd – 5th May 2025
#followthestages at the Rally of the Lakes in Killarney
The 2025 Assess Ireland International Rally of the Lakes will take place over the May Bank Holiday weekend from May 2nd to 4th.The weekend kicks off with the famous town centre Ceremonial Start in Killarney from around 7:00 pm on Friday 2nd followed by two days of exhilarating rally stages through some of the finest scenery in the world.
Dates: 2nd – 4th May 2025
#hikethecamino at the Kerry Camino Walking Festival
It is held annually over 3 days of the May Bank Holiday Weekend. The Kerry Camino is a Tralee initiative to promote walking in the area, specifically the walk known as The Dingle Way between Tralee and Dingle. The next walk on the Kerry Camino is on the 2nd/3rd/4th of May 2025. A certain level of fitness is required for this 3-day event, with appropriate footwear, clothing, snacks and drinks. Each day’s walking is approx. 6-7 hours.
Dates: 2nd – 4th May 2025
#forthefoodies Tralee Food Festival
Ireland’s Premier Family-Focused Food Celebration – Supporting Food trails, Exploring local Agri & Coastal cuisine and supporting Sustainable Tourism. The festival is a celebration of community, families, and food –showcasing the vibrant spirit and flavours of Tralee and the surrounding region!
Dates: 16th – 18th May 2025
Home Page – Tralee Food Festival
#celebrateliterature at Listowel Writers Week
Listowel Writers’ Week, Ireland’s oldest Literary and Arts Festival was founded to foster new and exciting talent and to give aspiring writers wings. Each year, this dream of the original founding members, writers, artists and prescient personalities like John B Keane, Bryan MacMahon & Brendan Kennelly is realised through a programme of events, workshops and competitions. At the heart of the annual celebration is a commitment to developing and promoting writing talent through literary panel discussions, moderated talks, poetry readings, interviews, cultural tours, walks and more.
Dates: 28th May – 1st June (June Bank Holiday) 2025
Home – Listowel Writers’ Week Literary Festival
#visitbikevillage at BikeFest in Killarney
Celebrating its 17th anniversary in 2025, BikeFest is a must-attend annual international festival attracting all brand motorcycle enthusiasts in their thousands from all over the world. As one of Europe’s premier free open motorcycle festivals, this 3-day motorcycle takes place across Ireland’s June Bank Holiday weekend.
From bikers to non-bikers or even aspiring bikers, visitors, tourists, families and locals, BikeFest has something for all. Soak up the atmosphere in the Bike Village located on the Muckross Road, in the grounds of the Gleneagle Hotel and INEC. Add in an action-packed, fun-fueled programme of events and activities with 3 live music stages day and night.
Dates: 30th May – 1st June 2025
Ireland BikeFest Killarney, Celebrating our 17th year in 2025
#headwest to Cahersiveen Music and Arts Festival
Cahersiveen Music and Arts Festival (CMAF) is held every August Bank Holiday weekend since 1995. CMAF has hosted a variety of musical talent on its main stage like Aslan, Michael English and many more. The festival programme offers a wide range of music, arts, and cultural events targeted at all age groups. In addition to three nights of headlining musicians, the pubs and bars are alive with trad music sessions, and the stages in the street feature live bands and dance displays throughout the daytime. Incredible arts trails and passionate artists’ talks introduce festival go-ers to internationally accredited artists and exhibitions.
Dates: 1st – 4th August 2025
Cahersiveen Music & Arts Festival 2024
#homeofthegoat Visit Puck Fair in Killorglin
Killorglin is home to Ireland’s oldest fair. This street festival has roots in the Gaelic calendar and is held without fail on the 10th, 11th and 12th of August every year with free family- friendly street entertainment daily. The first day of Puck is known as “the gathering” day, on which the Puck goat is crowned and placed on his thrown, the Puck Stand. The second day of Puck is known as the “Fair Day”. The final day of Puck is known as the “scattering” day and on this day the goat is removed from his stand and he is returned to the Kerry mountains.
Dates: 10th– 12th August 2025
#watchtheparade at The Rose of Tralee Festival
The Rose of Tralee International Festival is one of Ireland’s largest and longest running festivals. It features the selection of the Rose of Tralee, an international event that involves young women of Irish descent from Ireland and around the world. Every year more than 30 International Roses come to Tralee, supported by friends and family. The festival comprises the Rose of Tralee selection, family carnivals, fashion show and live concerts. The town’s streets are transformed into a feast of parades, music, circus, funfair, markets and traditional Irish entertainment.
Dates: 15th – 19th August 2025
With such a diverse range of events, there’s truly something for everyone in Kerry this summer. From music lovers to foodies, adventure seekers to culture enthusiasts, these events are sure to delight. Make the most of your summer and explore all that Kerry has to offer! Our stunning region provides the perfect backdrop for memorable gatherings—and your next celebration or corporate function could be among them when you choose the RDI Hub as your event venue.
Check out our web page https://rdihub.com/events-space/ or email gearoid.osullivan@rdihub.com to learn more about hosting your next event at the RDI Hub. We look forward to welcoming you.
