The Galway Arts Festival attracts over 100,000 visitors to its annual festivities. With over 500 performers last year, festival goers are looking forward to July for a jam-packed fortnight of theatre, dance, music, literature and comedy. Have a look at our guide for more information…

The Galway Arts Festival takes place from July 13th to July 26th, 2009.
This is an unusual festival, as participants are first of all invited to submit a CD or DVD, along with reviews, and financial costs to the Festival Artistic Director. He will then choose artists and productions from these submissions to be included in the Festival.

This Festival is a fantastic opportunity for national and international artists to show case their talents. With over 100,000 visitors and hundreds of performers due to attend the festivities, Galway city will certainly be a hive of activity.

During a jam-packed 2 weeks, Galway city will be a hub for an international programme of theatre, dance, music, literature and comedy. Also during the festival weeks you can take in exhibitions in pottery, fine art, fashion and jewellery. There is enough to keep the kids occupied in street entertainment which features face painting and puppets and of course not forgetting the customary carnival parades.

Venues are scattered throughout the city. The Festival Big Top was a new venue last year and proved so successful with festival goers that it will be back again for 2009.

Festival Programme details are due to be published at the beginning of June and so if you would like to keep up to date with the latest news, please have a look at the Galway Arts Festival website.

Galway is quite a popular holiday destination and there is always a high demand for accommodation. Be an early bird and take a look at our Galway accommodation page to see what we have to offer.

If you have been to the Galway Arts Festival in the past, please drop us a line in the comments box below - we would love to hear your take on the festivities.