Headfest 2026 will take place in Headford from Wednesday, May 27 to Monday, June 1, bringing six days of music, sport, culture, food and family events to the town and surrounding area.
At the heart of the festival is community, with a programme designed to bring people together, celebrate local identity and welcome visitors to Headford over the June bank holiday weekend.
This year’s events are shaped around themes of Land, Water and Air, with a strong focus on Lough Corrib and its communities.
The programme includes historical talks on the lake, biodiversity and guided walks, panel discussions on water quality and sustainable farming, exhibitions and film screenings with Corrib Beo, hooker and power boat trips on the lake and Drumadore in Knockferry and Kilbeg.
There will also be a film screening of the late Manchán Mangan’s film Listen to the Land Speak.
The music line-up for 2026 includes four nights of live entertainment in Monaghan’s Mega
Marquee, beginning Thursday night with the Elevate local talent showcase. The weekend bill features Jenny Greene, All Folk’d Up, Derek Warfield & The Young Wolfetones, Qween tribute band, Ruaile Buaile, Tradstone, The Jab Band and Tav Jam Band.
Sport remains a central part of Headfest, led by the return of the Headfest Fittest Parish Challenge on Sunday, one of the most popular events of the weekend. The Headfest 8K Road Race returns for its second year on Friday evening, alongside girls’ football blitzes and competitions, the Mattie Reddington U12 Cup, the Anglers Rest Cup and a Muay Thai exhibition. The annual tractor, truck and vintage run will take also take place.
The festival also includes a wide range of community and family events such as the Headfest Kids Variety Show, Maker Bear workshops, children’s yoga, mammy and baby yoga and sound bath sessions, Yogalates classes and the annual gardening competition.
As part of the community programme, the Headford Yarnbombers will host a sit and knit event on Saturday.
The popular McGaugh’s gardening competition also returns with new categories to open up opportunities for new entrants.
The annual Food and Craft Fair taking place Saturday and Sunday, alongside the SOLAS multicultural day on Saturday, celebrating the diversity of the local community. Festival food vendors for the weekend will include Smashbird, Burgerlicious and Bartollini Pizza.
Liam McDonagh, Chairman of Headfest, said the festival continues to reflect the strength of the local community.
“Headfest is about bringing people together and celebrating everything that is good about Headford. It is a chance to welcome visitors, support local groups and provide something for all ages across the bank holiday weekend.”
The full festival programme will be available to download from Thursday, May 7, with printed copies available in local shops, while tickets go on sale this Friday, May 8.
A large number of events across the weekend are free to attend, with tickets required only for selected shows and activities. Tickets are available on the door for most events, but advance booking recommended.
Headfest 2026 is supported by LEADER through Galway Rural Development, Galway County Council, Fáilte Ireland and West Midlands Credit Union.
