Spring
Cork St Patrick's Festival · March
The 17th of March is a proper city event in Cork, with a big parade through the centre and days of music and family events around it. The city is busy and in good form; book a bed early if you're coming for the weekend. Details land on the Cork City Council site closer to the day.
Cork International Choral Festival · late April – early May
Cork has filled its halls and churches with choirs since 1954. For five days the International Choral Festival brings singers from all over the world for competitions and concerts, and the free performances spill into City Hall, the cathedrals and the streets. If you like your music sung, this is the weekend for it. Programme at corkchoral.ie.
Early summer
Cork Harbour Festival · late May – early June
A week celebrating the second-largest natural harbour in the world, with sailing, kayaking, boat trips and events strung along the waterfront and out to Cobh. A good excuse to get out on the water. Programme on the Cork City Council festivals pages.
Cork Midsummer Festival · mid-June
One of Ireland's leading arts festivals, ten days of theatre, music, art and one-off events staged all over the city, often in unexpected places. It uses Cork itself as the stage, so even a wander turns up something. Full programme at corkmidsummer.com.
High summer
Live at the Marquee · June – July
Cork's big summer concert run, in a huge tent down at the docklands, a short walk along the river from town. Irish and international acts across several weeks, plus comedy nights. Line-up and tickets at Aiken Promotions.
Cobh Trad Fest · late July
A weekend of traditional music down the harbour in Cobh, 25 minutes by train from Kent Station. Sessions in the pubs, concerts, and a lovely setting under St Colman's Cathedral. Read how to reach Cobh on our day trips page. Programme at cobhtrad.com.
Cork on a Fork Fest · mid-August
Five days of the city's food scene, more than 150 events: pop-ups in historic buildings, guided food trails, free demos, brewery and distillery tours, and a long table set out on the street. Free to wander, and the best week of the year to eat in Cork. See our where to eat page for the year-round list. Programme on the Cork City Council site.
Autumn
Cork Folk Festival · early October
Running since 1979, a feast of folk and trad across more than twenty venues around the city, with concerts, sessions and singers from all over Ireland and beyond. A quieter, deeper cousin to the jazz weekend. Details at corkfolkfestival.com.
Guinness Cork Jazz Festival · late October
The big one. For one long October weekend the whole city becomes a jazz festival, with big names on the main stages and free music spilling out of nearly every pub. It's Cork at its most alive, and beds book out months ahead, so plan early. Line-up at guinnesscorkjazz.com.
Cork International Film Festival · November
Ireland's oldest film festival, running since 1956. For a week in November the Everyman, the city's cinemas and the Opera House screen new Irish and world cinema, shorts and premieres, with directors and actors in for the talks. A good reason to be in Cork once the evenings draw in. Programme at corkfilmfest.org.
Whenever you visit, there's usually something on, and our guides always know the week's highlights. Our things-to-do guide has the day plans, and the walking tour is a good first thing to do whatever the festival. See the walk.