Annual Festivals & Events
Killarney's calendar of annual events — from ancient fairs to race meetings, outdoor festivals to Christmas celebrations.
These are events that happen every year without fail — some for centuries, some more recent but already embedded in the calendar. All of them are reasons to visit Killarney at a particular time of year.
Spring
National Holiday
Killarney's St. Patrick's Day parade draws big crowds to the town centre — a family day with floats, marching bands and a festive atmosphere throughout the pubs.
Read more →Cultural Festival
A celebration of the six Celtic nations — Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Brittany, Cornwall and Galicia — with music, dance, song and competitions held across Killarney venues.
Read more →Summer
Horse Racing · 3 Days
Three days of National Hunt and flat racing at Killarney Racecourse — one of Ireland's most scenic and atmospheric race meetings, as much about fashion and social occasion as the horses.
Read more →Horse Racing · 3 Days
The second of two annual Killarney race meetings — same atmosphere, same scenery, with the mountains reflected in the lakes as the backdrop.
Read more →Ancient Celtic Tradition · 3 Days
One of Ireland's oldest and most unusual festivals — a wild goat is crowned King Puck for three days in Killorglin, 20 minutes from Killarney. Music, markets and ancient tradition since the 17th century.
Read more →Autumn
Outdoor Festival
Kerry's outdoor adventure and wellness festival — hiking, kayaking, yoga, wild swimming and talks set against the backdrop of the National Park. A relatively new event already firmly on the calendar.
Read more →Music Festival
An autumn music festival bringing national and international acts to Killarney venues — a growing fixture in the town's cultural calendar.
Read more →