The ultimate guide to TradFest 2026

One of the city's most beloved trad pubs, The Cobblestone in Smithfield will host a spread of events throughout TradFest 2026. Award-winning uilleann piper Colm Broderick kick things off with an afternoon session on January 21. The next day, fiddler Fionn Crombie Angus will be joined on stage by sisters Ester and Iseabail Strachan and Aimée Richardson for Fionnanthan & Friends, an inclusive event blending tradition and musical innovation. 

On January 23 it's the turn of harper and fiddler Aoibhe Kettle. The Laois-born artist was awarded first prize in the Senior Harp Slow Airs at The All Ireland Fleadh Cheoil Na hÉireann 2024. The following evening sees London-born group the McCarthy Sisters showcasing the musical talents they inherited from their emigrant parents, with Jacqueline on the concertina, Marion on the uilleann pipes and whistle, and Bernadette on the fiddle and piano. 

Closing out the venue's TradFest is Last Call – an immersive performance by novelist Nicole Galland and a group of traditional artists that blurs the lines between theatre and a trad session.

Media captionVisit The Cobblestone for exceptional trad performances.

St Patrick’s Cathedral kicks off its TradFest 2026 on January 21 from 8.30pm with Aoife Scott and Women of Note, a musical celebration of female artists from diverse backgrounds and cultures. The next night promises to be just as special, as Irish musicians Matt Molloy, Maighread Ní Dhomhnaill, Paddy Glackin, Derek Hickey and Mike McGoldrick are joined by a string ensemble to perform Chords and Timber, Reeds and Strings, a cross-media concert experience which will also include poetry readings from Oscar-nominated actor Stephen Rea.

Performing songs off their 2024 album No Flowers Grow In Cement Gardens, A Lazarous Soul are set to take to the stage on January 24. Band members Brian Brannigan, Anton Hegarty, Julie Bienvenu and Joe Chester blend Irish folk with alternative rock and electronic pop to explore socio-political issues in Ireland. 

Media captionEnjoy a performance by Aoife Scott and Women of Note.

The iconic Georgian St Stephen’s Church on Mount Street Crescent, whose unique ‘pepper canister’ spire gives the nickname by which it is more commonly known, is an atmospheric venue for an impressive line-up of TradFest gigs. This year, Irish trad ensemble Danú are celebrating their 30th anniversary with a special album featuring some of their most famous performances throughout the years. Join them as they mark this big milestone with another memorable performance at the Pepper Canister on January 22. 

On Friday it's the turn of Galway songwriter Niamh Regan. Nominated for the RTÉ Folk Awards and the Choice Music Prize, Niamh has further developed her distinctive songwriting since her 2020 debut album Hemet.  

Armed with just a guitar and an incredible voice, Luka Bloom (brother to Christy Moore) is set to take over the stage on January 24. And wrapping up the festivities in the Pepper Canister, Niall 'Bressie' Breslin will perform songs from his latest album, The Place That Has Never Been Wounded – a compilation of 14 carefully-crafted piano compositions.  

Media captionCatch a performance in the Pepper Canister Church.

On January 22, Hothouse Flowers' members Liam Ó Maonlaí, Fiachna Ó Braonáin, Peter O’Toole, Dave Clarke and Martin Brunsden will bring their unmatched energy to The National Stadium. Fresh off of their sold out UK tour, the group will be joined by special guests including the Discovery Gospel Choir, Susan O'Neill and Steve Wall. 

The next evening, pack your dancing shoes for Féile Kíla, where trad fusion group Kíla will serve up their blend of high energy music (and global instrument collection). The following night, Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh of Altan presents Transatlantic Women with Sharon Shannon, Katherine Priddy, Peggy Seeger and Eleanor McEvoy for an evening celebrating women in the trad and folk music scene. 

Media captionTake in a night of trad at the National Stadium.

The Button Factory is kicking off its TradFest on January 22 with its annual Dublin Pride Géilí. The colourful celebration of LGBTQ+ trad and folk artists will be hosted by Trad is Amach and will feature a spread of special guests.

Come back the next night for the reimagined trad beats of George Murphy and the Rising Sons. Using trad instruments, electric guitar, bass and percussion, the band perform original trad music with a modern twist as well as covers of some of your favourite folk tunes. 

On January 24, Ispíní na hÉireann bring their witty musical flair to the Button Factory. Frontman Tomás Mulligan and his rotating line-up of talented bandmates will blend original compositions with inventive reimaginings of classic tunes.

Closing out the venue's TradFest programme is The Pavee Club – a night that brings the Irish travelling community and the Africann-Irish community together, led by folk artist Steo Wall and his band. Wall will be supported by Toshín and her funk-soul band. 

Celebrating the tenth anniversary of his self-titled UK number one album, musician Jamie Lawson will perform the album in full in the Grand Social on January 22. He will be joined by up-and-coming Irish artist Seán Collins, whose debut single 'A Step Into The Dark' was released in May 2025.

On January 24, experience Irish folk music in a whole new way with Cruachan, one of the country's most famous folk metal bands. With head-banging beats, they weave tales of Irish mythology and history, and have amassed a huge following around the world. 

Singer-songwriter Niamh Bury will kick off proceedings in the intimate Chapel at Swords Castle in North Dublin at lunchtime on January 24. She's followed at 5pm by former RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Award winner Emma Langford who will be sharing her blend of folk, traditional and contemporary sounds.

The next day, it's the turn of the Fingal Gospel Choir as they perform a setlist featuring everything from rock and pop to gospel and soul. That evening, multi-instrumentalist Áine Tyrrell will bring her thought-provoking lyrics to the stage for the venue's final TradFest performance of the year. 

Media captionEnjoy an afternoon of trad music in Swords Castle.

Malahide Castle in North Dublin plays host to a number of special TradFest events over the course of the festival. Folk singer Diane Cannon will open the festivities at lunchtime on Saturday, January 24. She's followed at 5pm by Padraig Jack – a proud trad musician from the Aran Islands who performs in both English and Irish. 

The next evening it's the turn of Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh, the 10-string fiddler with a diverse discography who's performed around the world alongside artists such as Dan Trueman, Mick O’Brien and Brendan Begley.

Several other venues throughout the county will be hosting some gigs for TradFest 2026. In the northwestern suburb of Blanchardstown, the Draíocht will host Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, Frankie Kennedy and their band Altan, performing everything from energetic dance tunes to soulful songs on January 23.

Renowned harper Gráinne Hambly will bring her delicate mastery of the instrument to Ardgillan Castle on January 24, while Dublin-based singer-songwriter Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin is on stage the following afternoon with Lebanese Irish singer Niamh Keady-Tabbal to perform a mix of Irish and Arabic songs. Family band Burnchurch is on stage at The Abbey Tavern in North County Dublin at 3pm on January 25. They're followed the next evening by six-piece folk/post-rock group Madra Salach.

Further on up the coast in Skerries, the Little Theatre is hosting TRÚ on January 25, a critically-acclaimed Northern Irish alt-folk trio.

Media captionCatch major acts at venues across the city at TradFest.

Another venue to have on your radar is the Áras Chrónáin Ionad Cultúir in Clondalkin. On January 21, musicians Mike Hanrahan and Eleanor Shanley will come together in the cultural centre for an intimate performance of music and stories. On January 22, it's the turn of fiddle and flute aficionado Frankie Gavin, who will be joined by pianist Catherine McHugh and fellow flute player Conor McDonagh. 

Since starting their group in 1977, Stockton's Wing have amassed an impressive catalogue of music. On January 24 at the Donabate-Portrane Community Centre, they will be performing their greatest hits with the help of folk singer Ralph McTell.

Meanwhile, Dún Laoghaire and Rathdown are hosting great artists across three well-known locations. On January 22, musical duo Ger O'Donnell and Trevor Sexton take over the historic grounds of The Purty Kitchen, with support from multi-instrumentalist Sweet Jayne. The following evening, head to Walters to catch Tír na nÓg and Scullion alum Sonny Condell and renowned guitarist Robbie Overson join forces. Then over at the National Maritime Museum of Ireland, Ralph McTell is closing out the village's celebrations on January 25th with his musical style of storytelling, a talent which has been perfected over five decades.

Discover more festivals, gigs and buzzy moments this Winter in Dublin.