Dingle is a small town with a big calendar. A few times a year, the whole place turns into a stage: pubs become music venues, the streets fill with market stalls, and people travel from all over Ireland and beyond to be part of it.
These are the festivals we’d plan a trip around, in calendar order. Dates change from year to year, so check the organiser’s website before you book.
March: St Patrick’s Day
Dingle starts celebrating before most of the country is awake. Traditionally, the Dingle Fife and Drum Band marches through the town at dawn on 17 March, with a second, bigger parade later in the day: floats from local businesses, clubs and schools, and the whole town out on the streets. If you’re going to get up early once on holiday, make it this morning.
March: Animation Dingle
Every spring, animators, studios, students and fans gather for Animation Dingle: screenings, talks and workshops with people from across the industry. The next festival is scheduled for 18–20 March 2027. See Animation Dingle for the programme and tickets.
April: Ride Dingle
For cyclists, Ride Dingle is the big date. The sportive offers a 55 km route and a 120 km route, and the longer one climbs the Conor Pass. Check Ride Dingle for the next edition’s date and registration. If you’re riding, a house with room to unpack and dry your cycling kit, a short walk from town, makes the weekend much easier.
May bank holiday: Féile na Bealtaine
Dingle’s arts festival celebrates all the arts: exhibitions, concerts, poetry, readings, talks, film and street theatre, plus a children’s parade. Local schools and families are closely involved, so it feels like a community festival rather than a show put on for visitors. In 2026 it ran from 30 April to 4 May. See Féile na Bealtaine for the next programme.
First weekend of October: Dingle Food Festival
If you only come for one festival, this is a strong candidate. The Taste Trail takes you through more than 50 local cafés, restaurants, pubs and shops, each serving a small tasting, alongside street markets, workshops, cookery demonstrations, music and children’s events in the Town Park. In 2026 the main festival ran on 3–4 October. The organisers have announced 2–3 October 2027 for the next edition. See Dingle Food Festival.
The same week, Dingle hosts Blas na hÉireann, the Irish Food Awards, so the town is full of producers, chefs and food lovers.
Our tip: buy your Taste Trail tickets early and book your accommodation even earlier. It’s one of the busiest weekends of the autumn.
November: Dingle Film Festival
Dingle Film Festival takes place on 13–15 November 2026. It’s the only film festival in a Gaeltacht region, with a strong focus on Irish-language film, plus features, documentaries, shorts and talks with industry guests. Screenings and industry events take place at venues around town; the programme lists each venue.
Late November / early December: Other Voices
Since 2002, Other Voices has brought some of the most exciting artists in music to the tiny St James’ Church on Main Street, filmed for television and streamed around the world. Church tickets aren’t sold; they’re won through competitions. The real secret, though, is the Music Trail: dozens of live sets in pubs and venues across town over the festival weekend. The 2025 edition ran from 28 to 30 November. Check Other Voices for the next confirmed Dingle dates and ticket details.
26 December: Wren’s Day (Lá an Dreoilín)
One of Ireland’s oldest traditions is alive and well in Dingle. On St Stephen’s Day, “wren boys” in straw costumes and masks parade through the streets with fifes and drums from morning until late. It’s loud, joyful and unlike anything else. If you’re spending Christmas in Kerry, don’t miss it.
The Dingle year at a glance
| When | Festival | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 17 March | St Patrick’s Day | Families, early risers |
| March | Animation Dingle | Film and animation fans |
| April | Ride Dingle | Cyclists |
| May bank holiday | Féile na Bealtaine | Arts, families |
| First weekend of October | Dingle Food Festival | Food lovers, groups of friends |
| November | Dingle Film Festival | Film lovers |
| Late Nov / early Dec | Other Voices | Music fans |
| 26 December | Wren’s Day | Christmas visitors |
Make a weekend of it
Festival weekends book out early. Our four-bedroom homes sleep up to eight and are about an 8-minute walk from Main Street, so you can leave the car at home, stay for the last session and stroll back to your own riverside house.
Festival dates and programmes change from year to year. Please check details with each organiser before making plans.