For three decades Galway has hosted Ireland’s flagship festival devoted exclusively to children and families, and to celebrate its 30th anniversary this autumn, Baboró has unveiled its most ambitious programme to date.
More than 60 arts experiences will take place across Galway from October 9 to October 18, including theatre, dance, circus, music, literature, film and visual arts for what is one of the world’s longest-running children’s arts festivals.
Presented in venues across Galway city, this year’s festival will welcome internationally acclaimed artists and companies from England, Belgium, France, Germany and Spain, offering a varied and ambitious programme for children and young people of all ages, from toddlers to teenagers. Around 18,000 young people attend Baboró events each year, and it has welcomed more than half a million children since its founding in 1996.
Alongside family performances, Baboró’s 2026 programme also includes dedicated events for schools, helping to ensure that as many children as possible can experience high-quality, live arts. Four shows, from Ireland and the Netherlands, designed specifically to tour directly into schools, will visit pupils throughout the city and county.
The festival also features performances for children with additional needs, creative workshops, art exhibitions, free pop-up events and a number of events for adults.
The Fabulous Tale of BasarKus from France’s Compagnie Lamento is a dazzling circus performance combining juggling and acrobatics. As the performers realise they are no longer one extraordinary creature but two, they embark on a mischievous journey of self-discovery, exploring identity and the wonder of growing up. (Ages 4+ ).
Also from France, Witch Hunting by Compagnie per Terre / Anne Nguyen Dance Company, is a captivating contemporary dance performance in which six dancers draw on styles ranging from popping and krumping to coupé-décalé and ndombolo to explore cultural identity, the meaning of community and what connects us as a society. (Ages 10+ ).
Teen Odyssey from Spain’s La Mecànica is an immersive promenade theatre experience combining live physical performance with smartphone technology to explore identity, belonging and what connects us across generations. It is created for teenagers and the adults who remember exactly what it felt like to be one. (Ages 12+ ).
The Sticky Dance, for two- to four-year-olds, is a tactile and interactive dance experience inviting young children and their grown-ups to tape, stick, move, play and explore together. Performed by English group Second Hand Dance, audiences are free to join in the action or simply watch, listen and take it all in.
Kafka’s Doll from Irish outfit Theatre Lovett is inspired by the story of Franz Kafka consoling a little girl who had lost her doll in a Berlin park. This theatre production offers a glimpse into the imagination of one of literature’s most influential figures, telling the story of his rediscovery that love, play and friendship are what we need to be truly alive. (Ages 8+ ).
“We’re very excited to share the programme for this year’s festival, which brings together some of the world’s leading artists and companies, who will present work across a wide range of genres and themes,” said Baboró’s Executive Artistic Director Aislinn Ó hEocha. “Whether through theatre, dance, circus, literature, visual arts or hands-on creative experiences, we hope the programme will spark curiosity, imagination and empathy, while giving audiences a glimpse into a variety of cultures.”
