Top 20 Galway Festivals and Events in 2020
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2020 has arrived which means a new year and of course a new decade. Every year Galway hosts some of the best events around the country ranging across all interests, including drama, art, music, gardening and everything in between. The countdown has begun. Start planning your staycation this year to Galway, named the best city to visit in 2020 by CNN Travel. To help you decide when to visit Galway, we put together a list of the top 20 festivals and events happening in and around the city. Check out our list in order of event date and enjoy one of Galway’s many top festivals and events with a stay at the newly refurbished Travelodge Galway.
2020 Galway Festivals and Events
1. Galway International Rally (2nd Feb)
Being one of the first rallies that ran as an international event back in 1971, Galway International Rally returns for its 41st year. With over 120km of competitive driving through the scenic town of Loughrea, sports cars enthusiastic will love the classic and challenging stages attempted by the crews.
2. Opening ceremony for Galway 2020 (8th Feb)
This year Galway plays host to lots of events as part of Galway 2020, which we will cover in another recommendation post (don’t worry we’ll keep you updated). What to expect? The official launch date will see the opening by President Michael D. Higgins in a free open-air ceremony, after which a fiery series of festivals will jump-start a year of exciting events. The Fire Tour will unite performers from each Galway town, who will celebrate local themes and traditions through a unique performance. Don’t miss out! Join the fun and immerse yourself in the magical performances and processions of the festival.
3. Tedfest (20th Feb)
‘So we’ll all meet every year at the end of February on a small island in the Atlantic.’
‘That’s mad Ted.’
Returning this year, the annual Father Ted fan convention held off the coast of County Galway on the island of Inishmore. The event will feature four full days of Father Ted inspired mayhem with themed buildings and events, event tents and even characters loping about.
4. Galway History Festival (6th March)
Organised by NUI Galway, the Galway History Festival is an annual festival covering all aspects of Galway’s rich history. Hear all about the War of Independence in Galway, activism, food, local history, and labour history. Lots of facts that you might not have known about Galway will be heard over this weekend.
5. Spring Garden, Craft and Food Fair (30th March)
Looking for inspiration for your next garden project? The Spring Garden, Craft and Food Fair taking place in Claregalway Castle feature some of Ireland’s best nurseries and rare plant specialists. In addition, you can expect food producers and craftspeople from the ‘Made in Galway’ group who will showcase a wide range of products and produce for your home.
6. Westend Easter Street Festival (13th April)
Cross the Bridge into Galway Westend and you will see where locals go. With an abundance of contemporary eateries, bar and live music venues, the Westend Easter Festival brings together the award-winning businesses found in the area.
7. Bealtaine Festival (1st May)
Each year The Bealtaine Festival focuses on events organised for and by older people. Celebrating creativity in older age, Galway encourages thousands of people to take part. Bealtaine will showcase the creativity and talent of older people, featuring artists from dance and panting to cinema and theatre.
8. Galway Theatre Festival (1st - 9th May)
Ireland’s festival city will come to life in 2020 as the Galway Theatre Festival invites locals and visitors to a series of spectacular shows and events between Friday May 1 and Saturday May 9. You can expect theatre and circus shows, as well as fascinating story telling, with artists from Galway and other parts of Ireland.
9. Oranmore Arts Festival (7th -10th May)
Returning in 2020, the Oranmore Arts Festival highlights the sense of community in the coastal village of Oranmore and encourages a tradition of working together for the common good. The family friendly festival will showcase local talents through an exciting programme full of art, music, literature, theatre and film related events for all ages (mostly free of charge). For more information, visit the Oranmore Arts Festival website closer to the time.
10. Gospel Rising Music Festival (15th May)
Are you a Gospel Music fan or simply looking for something special to do? Enhance your Galway weekend getaway with a visit to the Gospel Rising Music Festival. The main concert will run for 2hrs 30 minutes and will showcase Ireland’s best Gospel Choirs, making it an event full or singing and dancing. A festival not to be missed!
11. Galway Burlesque Festival (15th - 17th May)
Although no details are available yet, visitors wishing to immerse themselves in the world of cabaret and burlesque will be happy to hear that the Galway Burlesque Festival is returning in 2020. Get ready to see some of the top performers of this seductive, creative and all in all fabulous art form with further captivating acts in circus and drag.
12. Galway Early Music Festival (22nd - 24th of May)
Get lost in the world of medieval Galway in this 3 day annual music festival celebrating renaissance, baroque and medieval music. Join the fun and learn about early music through workshops, talks, and concerts by outstanding Irish and international musicians.
13. Fever Pitch Music Festival (26th - 27th June)
The two-day Fever Pitch Music Festival returns to Galway Airport for its third year in 2020. Bigger than ever, the festival will feature a new Big Top Tent and exciting headliners like The Coronas and The Kooks, with more thrilling acts to be announced.
14. The Irish Country Lifestyle Show (June, exact date tbc)
Celebrate the Irish countryside and Irish country living this summer by attending an exciting new event organised by the Irish Game and Country Fair in collaboration with the Galway Home & Garden Festival. The festival will offer an exciting programme of international country sports displays and competitions with many additional things to see and do, like sampling delicious food at the Fine Food Festival.
15. Galway Uke Festival (tbc)
With all the emotions this small instrument can evoke, celebration is definitely in order. The Galway Uke Festival is devoted to the celebration of the ukulele and the community of ukulele players in the west of Ireland. The three day festival will host events for players of all levels, and those wishing to simply listen. So don’t be discouraged if you don’t play, attend one of the many great gigs, who knows maybe playing this “tiny guitar” becomes your next big passion!
16. Galway International Food and Craft Festival (5th July)
Foodies reunite! The Galway International Food and Craft Festival will showcase some of the finest food and drink offerings from the West of Ireland with a range of artisan restaurants, organic and fresh food producers and international cuisine. For craft beer fans, each year sees new emerging craft beer and boutique beverage on offer to sample and buy.
17. Galway Film Fleadh (7th -15th July)
Ireland’s leading film festival brings together filmmakers and film enthusiasts from Ireland and around the world to share their passion through screenings, presentations and special events with a programme covering strands like Irish and World Cinema, documentary, as well as animations and shorts. If you consider yourself a film fan, making a trip the Galway Film Fleadh is a must.
18. Galway Fringe Festival (13th - 26th July)
July 2020 will be another great month for art lovers visiting Galway city, as the Galway Fringe Festival returns with what promises to be an even greater event than before. If you’re visiting Galway around this time, you can expect a large range of events across 18 venues, showcasing the talent of local emerging, as well as established artists from disciplines across theatre, poetry, literature, visual arts, comedy and much more. For full programme visit the Galway Fringe Festival website, closer to the time.
19. Galway International Arts Festival (13th - 26th July )
Ireland’s leading arts festival will play an even bigger role this year, as one of the highlights of a series of events hosted in Galway, the European Capital of Culture in 2020. Showcasing artists and performers from multiple disciplines and from diverse nationalities, the Galway Arts Festival, running at the same time as the Galway Fringe Festival makes July the best month to visit Galway for art lovers.
20. Galway Races - Summer Festival (27th July - 2nd August)
The summer wouldn’t be the same in Galway without the world renowned Galway Races. Friends and strangers, men and women, young and old come together on this special summer week to enjoy high quality racing, fashion, entertainment and betting. With around 250,000 attendees throughout the week you can expect an even greater buzz than usual, so expect a fun-filled city day and night.
Travelodge Galway
If you are thinking of traveling to Galway in 2020 to attend some of the many great festivals and events, be sure to book your stay in advance at our recently refurbished (2018), super comfortable Galway city hotel. Located minutes from Eyre Square, Travelodge Plus Galway City boasts brand new standard along with the option to upgrade to SuperRooms. Stay cosy with a choice of firm or soft hypoallergenic pillows, blackout curtains and mood lighting for a restful night’s sleep. To help you wake up refreshed all our SuperRooms feature a Hansgrohe Raindance 3jet adjustable shower and a Lavazza A Modo Mio fresh capsule coffee machine. All of this combined with a stylish new room design makes this the ideal choice for Hotels near Eyre Square.
Rooms available from €99.
Related Reads:
Read about things to do in Galway City
Check out our Galway Christmas Market Guide
Read about the best Irish cities for a St. Patrick’s Weekend Getaway