Summer is one of the most expensive times for families trying to fill up the long days and nights with action-packed adventures but worry not, we have found some of our favourite free family festivals taking place across the country that won't cost you a penny.
If you're looking for ideas to keep the little ones entertained, here are our top six pocket-friendly festivals to mark in your diary in the coming months - we promise you won't be disappointed.
Dublin Kite Festival
With a jam-packed day of exhilarating fun for all, the Dublin Kite Festival is one event not to be missed this summer. The Dublin City Council event takes place early June on North Bull Island in Clontarf, however, dates have yet to be announced.
The seaside skies will be a jumble of colour with hundreds of kites taken to the sky for the much loved annual festival which includes free entertainment all the long on the seashore from kite making, lawn games and a kite-flying competition.
Cruinniú na nÓg
Cruinniú na nÓg will hold their annual event for children of all ages around Ireland with over 700 free events to celebrate and encourage young people to be more creative. The nationwide festival with a bulging programme of events will take place in various locations including public parks, libraries and community halls with everything from art workshops, treasure trails and musical performances. Cruinniú na nÓg is a national day of creativity and will take place on June 15th.
Bray Air Display
Be wowed with some of the world's best aerobatic display teams and individual acts over a two day period including the much anticipated aerobatic superstars The Blades, a team made up of former Red Arrow pilots and the jaw-dropping dare-devil displays by Ireland’s Flying Dentist, Eddie Goggins.
Voted one of Europe's best air shows, the annual Bray Air Display festival will return July 25th and 26th along the Bray Seafront, in Wicklow with activities kicking off from 12 noon on both days. Various other activities over the weekend include live music, helicopter pleasure flights, a funfair and a food and craft village featuring artisan food and specialist craft stalls.
Durrow Scarecrow Festival, Laois
The annual scarecrow festival will take place in the picturesque village of Durrow in Laois from July 26th to August 3rd with a week of uninhibited imagination, creativity, workshops, live music, food and fun. The highlight of the volunteer-run festival is the All-Ireland Scarecrow Championships in which hundreds of communities from all corners of Ireland come together to make the quirky and creative scarecrows in hope of winning a prize. Other events include Scarecrow Village, The Ranch, arts and crafts exhibition, round hay bale competition and one of Ireland's best wooden playgrounds.
Seafest, Cork
Ireland's summer maritime festival takes place in Cork city this year from May 15th to 17th with hundreds of free events suitable for the whole family. Discover all about the ocean, enjoy various performances and get lost in educational sessions and a kids zone every day of the festival. The aim of Seafest to increase participation and engagement with the ocean and its value to the environment.
National Heritage Week
Celebrating all things heritage related, National Heritage Week will take place nationwide during the third week of August with hundreds of free exhibits, festivals, workshops and other exciting events. From Saturday 15th to Sunday 23rd of August, take a walk back in history and explore how our free time has evolved in fascinating ways. Event highlights have yet to be announced but it's one to watch as with all free events, they book up fast.
