That's said with no shortage of food festivals on offer in Ireland over the summer, there's plenty to see, do, and taste to keep your plates full and your stomach even fuller.
Here are some of the best food festivals to take a bite out of this summer:
May
Burren Slow Food Festival - 10 May 2026
The Burren Slow Food Festival is one of the nation's longest-running food festivals, and this year it is marking 21 years of empty plates and full bellies!
Food lovers can take in cooking demos from the likes of Liam Funnegan, Executive Chef at Ashford Castle, trawl the farmer's market, and even indulge in a spot of tennis on the day.
One long-running highlight of the festival is the Burren Slow Food Banquet, which takes place on 9th May at the Burren Storehouse.
Where: Lisdoonvarna
Admission: Free admission to the festival. Tickets for the banquet are priced at €74.20.
Ballymaloe Festival of Food - 15-17 May 2026
Arguably one of the most high-profile festivals, the Ballymaloe Festival of Food returns from 15 May.
Visitors can book to attend inspiring talks, such as Food as Medicine with Maria Walsh, take in a live cooking demo with Catherine Fulvio and Marcus O'Laoire, and take part in a number of workshops.
Where: Ballymaloe House
Admission: Tickets start from €35 for adults for a day pass.
Tralee Food Festival - 16-17 May 2026
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The Tralee Food Festival is also returning in May. The time around visitors can take in a live daughter-dad cook-off, take in some amazing live music, and, of course, indulge in some fabulous food.
Where: Tralee, Kerry
Admission: Free entry to the festival and events
Howth Maritime and Seafood Festival -23-25 May 2026
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Another longtime favorite festival making waves in 2026 is the Howth Martime and Seafood Festival.
Seafood connoisseurs will be in their element, but there's plenty to see and do and enjoy for all the family over the weekend.
New for 2026 is a music festival, Howth Martime by Night, which will run in the evening and include four headline shows with acts including Lukka Bloom and Kila.
Where: Howth, Dublin
Admission: Free entry to the Howth Martime and Seafood Festival, tickets for the music festival can be found here
June
Taste of Dublin - 11-14 June 2026
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Ireland's best-known food festival is back this June, and with one of the most exciting lineups to date, with 85 live cooking demos in the Taste kitchen over the weekend.
Festival goers can also take part in workshops, including the Glendalough Distillery Botanical Masterclass, sample some of the best local food offerings, and dance the night away.
Where: Merrion Square, Dublin
Admission: Adult tickets are from €19.50
July
Flavours of Fingal - 4-5 July 2026
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One of the best community festivals around, Flavours of Fingal, will take place across the 4 and 5 of July.
The 2026 event will include live demos in the Fingal Food Cookery area, live music in the Vodafone Walled Garden, and lots of family-friendly fun in the Keelings Family Funzone.
Where: Newbridge House, Donabate, Dublin
Admission: Free
Kilmore Quay Seafood Festival -10-13 July 2026
Kilmore Quay Seafood Festival.
One for the seafood lovers, the Kilmore Quay Seafood festival returns for its 41st outing in 2026.
The organizers have promised 'lots of fun activities and family favorites taking place' along with plenty of locally caught seafood to savor.
Where: Kilmore Quay, Wexford
Admission: Free, events may be ticketed
Eatyard Wine & Cheese Festival- 7-9 August 2026
Eatyard Wine & Cheese Festival.
Lovers of all things wine and cheese-related will want to get themselves down to The Bernard Shaw this August for a taste bud-tingling food event.
Where: The Bernard Shaw, Glassnevin, Dublin
Admission: €5.50-€11
The Big Grill Festival - 13-16 August 2026
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Grillin' and chillin' are on the menu as The Big Grill returns in August.
Expects plenty of BBQ bliss from Hawker, Hand Dai, and many others over the course of the festival on top of the live fire cooking demos.
Where: Herbert Park, Dublin
Admission: Tickets are from €30.
Taste of Kildare - 15-16 August 2026
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Also coming back in August will be Taste of Kildare with live market vendors, cooking demos, and more to savor.
Where: Naas Racecourse
Admission: General admission tickets are €15 in advance and €20 on the day.
* This article was originally published on Evoke.ie.
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