SeasonMapWhat's on in Kilkenny, Ireland through the year
Kilkenny, Ireland has 5 curated events through the year — 5 festivals. The ones to plan around: Kilkenny Roots Festival (April) and Cat Laughs comedy festival (May). May, June, August and October are its peak-crowd months.
Updated September 2026 · every event curated and sourced · dates for 2026 where they are announced, the usual window where they are not
Kilkenny events and crowds by month
January in Kilkenny
Kilkenny weather in January →Busy — Christmas break in Ireland, school holidays in 7 of the markets that fill it
Nothing new starts in January.
February in Kilkenny
Kilkenny weather in February →Busy — February mid-term break in Ireland, school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it
Nothing new starts in February.
March in Kilkenny
Kilkenny weather in March →Busy — Easter break in Ireland, school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it
Nothing new starts in March.
April in Kilkenny
Kilkenny weather in April →Busy — Easter break in Ireland, school holidays in 6 of the markets that fill it
- Festival
Kilkenny Roots Festival
1–4 MayMajor festivalCrowdedBook earlyThirty-odd venues across the medieval streets run Americana, bluegrass and rockabilly acts from early afternoon into the night over the May bank holiday weekend, now approaching its thirtieth year. Source ↗
May in Kilkenny
Kilkenny weather in May →Peak crowds — Kilkenny Roots Festival, Cat Laughs comedy festival
- Festival
Cat Laughs comedy festival
28 May – 5 Jun · usuallyMajor festivalCrowdedBook earlyIreland's comedy weekend, run over the June bank holiday in pubs, halls and the castle grounds rather than one arena. The town is full and the late shows sell out long before the weekend. Source ↗
Still on: Kilkenny Roots Festival (1–4 May)
June in Kilkenny
Kilkenny weather in June →Peak crowds — Cat Laughs comedy festival, Summer holidays in Ireland
Nothing new starts in June.
Still on: Cat Laughs comedy festival (28 May – 5 Jun (usually))
July in Kilkenny
Kilkenny weather in July →Busy — Summer holidays in Ireland, school holidays in 7 of the markets that fill it
Nothing new starts in July.
August in Kilkenny
Kilkenny weather in August →Peak crowds — Kilkenny Arts Festival, Summer holidays in Ireland
- Festival
Kilkenny Arts Festival
6–16 AugMajor festivalCrowdedBook earlyTen days in August of classical music, theatre and literature using St Canice's cathedral and the medieval buildings as venues. The best week of the year to be here and the hardest to find a bed. Source ↗
September in Kilkenny
Kilkenny weather in September →Shoulder season — school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month
Nothing new starts in September.
October in Kilkenny
Kilkenny weather in October →Peak crowds — Savour Kilkenny, October mid-term break in Ireland
- Festival
Savour Kilkenny
22–26 OctHarvestCrowdedA food festival over the October bank holiday, built around the county's producers with a market quarter on the Saturday and Sunday. It is the last busy weekend before the town goes quiet for winter. Source ↗
November in Kilkenny
Kilkenny weather in November →Busy — Subtitle Film Festival, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it
- Festival
Subtitle Film Festival
17–29 Nov · usuallyMajor festivalCrowdedA week of European cinema — Irish premieres alongside classics — screened at the Watergate Theatre and a handful of pubs and small venues around town in late November. Source ↗
December in Kilkenny
Kilkenny weather in December →Busy — Christmas break in Ireland, school holidays in 7 of the markets that fill it
Nothing new starts in December.