Events – Galway Climate Festival

Climate Inspirations Festival 2026 Opening Night

Wednesday, 18:00 – 20:00, Galway City Museum, Free Registration Required. Kick off the Climate Inspirations Festival 2026 at Galway City Museum and immerse yourself in what’s ahead. This is a relaxed and welcoming opening evening with light entertainment, climate-inspired sounds, and an opportunity to browse the full festival programme. Whether you’re a long-time climate advocate…
Walking and Cycling Index, Active Travel and Behaviour Change

Thursday, 11:00-12:30, Festival Tent, Father Burke Park, Free registration required: Register here. The Walking and Cycling Index supports leaders of cities and towns in understanding and improving walking, wheeling, and cycling in their communities. It captures public attitudes and provides robust evidence of the benefits of increased use of active travel, both for individual users…
Lunch Time Music Session

Thursday, 12:30-13:30, Festival Tent, Father Burke Park, Free, no registration required. Relax and recharge at the Thursday lunchtime music session in the Festival Tent. A chance to enjoy live music, and connect with fellow festival-goers between morning talks and afternoon workshops. Admission is free, and no booking is required.
Active Travel Projects in Galway City – A Guided Tour

Thursday, 13:30-15:00, Site Visit, Free, registration required: Register here Join Galway City Council’s Active Travel team for guided site visits to some of the newest infrastructural projects in Galway City Centre. The short, guided walk will visit The Crescent / Sea Road Junction Upgrade, which includes the installation of Galway City Council’s first rain gardens,…
Music Generation – Music in Nature

Thursday, 16:30-18:30, Festival Tent, Father Burke Park, Free, registration required: Register here. Music Generation Galway City invites young people to explore climate action through the power of creative songwriting in this interactive afternoon workshop at the Festival Tent. Participants will engage with themes from nature and biodiversity, using music as a medium to express ideas,…
Giob Geab with Shani Williams

Thursday, 19:00-22:00, Festival Tent, Father Burke Park, Free registration required: Register here. Join MC Shani for an exciting evening of rapid-fire climate stories from community groups, showcasing their sustainability projects and innovative ideas to a live, receptive audience. ‘Giob Geab’ is an Irish interpretation of the Japanese presentation format Pecha Kucha — 5 slides, 1…
Climate Change and Vulnerable Communities: Local, Irish and International Perspectives

Friday, 11:00-12:30, Festival Tent, Father Burke Park, Free, registration required: Register here. Climate change is hitting harder and closer to home. Storm Eowyn and Chandra have exposed how unevenly climate impacts are felt across Ireland. Some communities bounce back quickly; others face long-term disruption, financial strain, and heightened vulnerability. This talk dives into the human…
Lunch Time Music Session

Friday, 12:30-13:30, Festival Tent, Father Burke Park, No registration required (Free). Enjoy a relaxed lunchtime music session in the Festival Tent on Friday. A perfect opportunity to unwind, grab a bite to eat, and connect with others between sessions.
Climate Change and Vulnerable Communities Workshop

Friday, 13:30-15:00, Festival Tent, Father Burke Park, Free registration required: Register here. Following the morning’s talk on climate change and vulnerable communities, this interactive workshop offers participants an opportunity to delve deeper into the themes raised — exploring practical tools, strategies, and community-led approaches to building climate resilience. For more information, contact: climate@galwaycity.ie
After School Climate Carnival

Friday, 15:30-17:00, Festival Tent, Father Burke Park, Free, no registration required. School’s out for summer — and what better way to learn about what is happening on our shores! Join the team from Galway Atlantaquaria for a fun-filled afternoon, perfect for families and children of all ages. Take part in the Midshore Memory Challenge, get…
Climate Cocktail Club

Friday, 18:00-22:00, Festival Tent, Father Burke Park, Tickets required: Click here. The West of Ireland is where soil meets salt, where ancient ways meet new ambition, and where Europe faces America across the wildest ocean on earth. Wild Atlantic Impact is a gathering for the people turning this edge into an engine of opportunities –…
Climate Cocktail Club After Party

Friday, 10:00-Late, Upstairs in the Róisín Dubh Free, no registration required. After the Climate Cocktail Club, join us for a bit of networking and dancing with DJs, upstairs in the Róisín Dubh. Good chats, good tunes, and a nice way to round off the night.
The Lie of the Land: In Conversation with John Gibbons

Saturday, 11:00-12:00, Festival Tent, Father Burke Park, Free Registration Required: Register here. Join environmental journalist and author John Gibbons for an in-conversation event centred on his new book ‘The Lie of the Land’ — an unflinching examination of the choices Ireland faces on land use, food systems, energy, and how we make decisions that affect…
Sharon Shannon

Saturday, 13:00-13:50, Festival Tent, Father Burke Park, Free, no registration required. One of Ireland’s most beloved musicians, Sharon Shannon, brings her unmistakable sound to the Climate Inspirations Festival stage for a special lunchtime performance. Renowned for her virtuosic accordion playing and her ability to blend traditional Irish music with influences from across the globe, Sharon…
Communication as a Climate Action Solution, with MC Roisin Murphy

Saturday, 14:00-15:30, Festival Tent, Father Burke Park, Free registration required: Register here. In a world overflowing with information, the way we talk about climate change is just as important as the solutions we build. This session explores how communication — clear, human, creative and courageous — can become one of our most powerful climate action…
Harrison Gardner Talk

Saturday, 16:00-17:00, Festival Tent, Father Burke Park, Free registration required: Register here. Sometimes the most radical act is to take something apart. In this thought-provoking talk, Harrison Gardner — architect, educator and as seen on RTÉ’s ‘Build your own Home’— explores why the bravery and humility to undo bad ideas might be the most important…
Jiggy

Saturday, 19:00-20:15, Festival Tent, Father Burke Park, This is a ticketed event. Tickets available here. Jiggy’s mercurial line-up mixes and melds Irish traditional music, world rhythms and cutting-edge dance grooves into an irresistible live experience. The band took the internet by storm in 2018 with their video ‘Silent Place’, celebrating the global togetherness of dance,…
Repair Cafe

Saturday, 10:00-13:00, Stretch Tent, Father Burke Park, To book your place, contact environment@galwaycity.ie Repair Cafés are a grassroots movement that aims to reduce waste and overconsumption by bringing people together to fix what is broken, share practical skills, and build community through repair. This workshop is part of Galway City Council’s Circular City Galway initiative,…
SEAI

Saturday, 11:00-18:00, Stretch Tent, Father Burke Park, Free, no registration required. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) will host an information stand at the Galway Climate Festival, offering practical advice on home energy grants and supports available to homeowners. Visitors can drop by to learn about key upgrade pathways, including individual energy upgrades, One…
Madra in the Park

Saturday,11;00-18:00, Stretch Tent, Father Burke Park, Free, no registration required. Visit MADRA at the Climate Inspirations Festival! We’re promoting ‘Love you Dog, Love your City’ and ‘Adopt, Don’t Shop’ – give a rescue dog a second chance at a loving home. Chat with our team about Responsible Pet Ownership, from spray/neuter initiatives and proper pet…
Juanita’s Big Problem (Circus Show)

Saturday, 12:00 & 14:00, Stretch Tent, Father Burke Park, Free, no registration required. Juanita the Cleaner has been collecting her rubbish for one whole year — but what can she do with this mountain of plastic? She needs your help! In 45 minutes of hilarious, climate-saving clowning, Europe’s leading female clown Angelica Santander tackles plastic…
Galway Environmental Action Fair 2026

Saturday, 11:00-18:00, Father Burke Park, Free, no registration required. Would you like to do more in your own community on climate change and biodiversity? Come to the Volunteer Fair at Father Burke Park and meet with the local groups and organisations already making a difference. Connect with volunteers, find out what’s happening in your area,…
Curly Organ

Saturday, Father Burke Park (Roving Show) Free, no registration required. The Curly Organ brings their distinctive sound to the festival in Father Burke Park for a lively afternoon performance. A much-loved fixture on the Galway music scene, expect an energetic and entertaining set perfect for soaking up the festival atmosphere.
West End Street Party with Samba Wave & DJ Kelsey Selky

Saturday, 19:00-22:00, Galway’s West End, Free, no registration required. The West End Street Party is the Saturday night centrepiece of the Climate Inspirations Festival — a vibrant, carnival-style celebration taking over Galway’s Westend streets with live music, community spirit, and dancing until late. High-energy rhythms from Samba Wave set the pulse racing, with local DJs…
After Party with Love Smoke & Sally Cinnamon

Saturday, 22:00-Late, Róisín Dubh, For more information and tickets, visit: www.roisindubh.net. Close out Saturday night in style at the After Party in the Róisín Dubh Main Room, featuring two outstanding DJ acts. Sligo duo LoveSmoke deliver an uplifting and energising set drawing heavily from Afrocentric and global influences — expect melodic afro house, soulful deep…
Climate Choir Competition

Sunday, 11:45-13:45, Festival Tent, Father Burke Park Free, no registration required. The Climate Inspirations Festival introduces its very first Choir Singing Competition — inviting choirs from across Galway and beyond to raise their voices for the planet. The competition is open to choirs of all sizes, ages and musical styles. Participating choirs will perform two…
An Tara -Tommy Hayes & Matthew Noone

Sunday, 14:00-15:00, Festival Tent, Father Burke Park Free, no registration required. An Tara are Tommy Hayes & Matthew Noone. They explore the spaces in-between the traditions of Irish and Indian Classical music.Both regarded as pioneers on their chosen instruments and fearlessly inventive, they create a diverse yetcohesive musical experience.
Community Sports and Games

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, 11:00-18:00, Father Burke Park Free, no registration required. Get stuck into a fun-filled day of classic sports games for all ages! Have a go at favourites like tug of war and more. Whether you’re playing to win or just for the craic, it’s all about getting active, having fun, and bringing…
Second Hand Market

Sunday, 11:00-18:00, Father Burke Park, Free, no registration required. Discover unique finds at the Second-Hand Clothes & Circular Market! Browse pre-loved fashion, support sustainable shopping, and give great pieces a second life. It’s all about style, savings, and reducing waste—one outfit at a time.
Madra in the Park

Sunday, 11:00-18:00, Stretch Tent, Father Burke Park Free, no registration required. MADRA Dog Rescue Visit MADRA at the Climate Inspirations Festival! We’re promoting “Adopt, Don’t Shop”– give a rescue dog a second chance at a loving home. Chat with our team about *Responsible Pet Ownership*, from spray/neuter initiatives and proper pet cleanup to greener choices…
Melting Pot Luck

Sunday, 13:00-14:00, Stretch Tent, Father Burke Park, Free, no registration required. The Melting Pot Luck is a volunteer-run, non-profit community group in Galway, Ireland, that brings together refugees, asylum seekers, and locals to foster solidarity through shared food, music, and culture. Melting Pot Luck is a vibrant celebration of culture and community, where people come…
Vocal Ponies

Sunday, 14:00-15:00, Festival Tent, Father Burke Park, Free, no registration required. Catch Vocal Ponies, an energetic choir bringing all your favourite 90s bangers to life! Enjoy the tunes as you browse, soak up the atmosphere, and take in the day’s activities.
Circus Skills with Stephen

Sunday, 14:00-15:00, Father Burke Park, Free, no registration required. Stephen leads a fun and inclusive Circus Skills workshops suitable for all. Come and try out Juggling, Hula Hooping, Spinning plates and much, much more, fun for all the family.
Los Watchos

Sunday, 16:30-18:00, Festival Tent, Father Burke Park, Free, no registration required. Based in the vibrant city of Galway, Los Wachos is a spirited Latin band that celebrates the diverse sounds of Latin music. Our talented musicians hail from various countries, each bringing their unique flavour to our performances. As a close-knit group of friends, we…
Wild Kind Screening

Thursday – Sunday, Festival Tent, Father Burke Park, Free, no registration required. Wildkind is a ten minute animated film by Fermanagh creator Ciara Tinney, based on her illustrated book written for her daughters to help nurture a life that is wild and kind which will be filmed continuously over the festival. A temporary gathering of…
Outdoor Exhibition: ReViewing Ireland: A Photo Study of Ireland’s Environment

Thursday – Sunday, Father Burke Park, Free, no registration required. In 2024, the National Library of Ireland (NLI) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) joined forces to create a Photographer-in-Residence initiative to visually capture and record the Irish environment and our response to the climate crisis. As Photographer-in-Residence, Paula T Nolan titled her project ‘ReViewing…
Earth Action

All Year Round, Museum Ní gá clárú (saor in aisce). Earth Action, created by Melanie Lynch, is an exhibition that inspires visitors to shift from climate anxiety to inspired action, highlighting how unsustainable consumption and climate pressures pose critical dangers for both people and nature.Blending science-based calls for action, artworks by Róisín Coyle and Eugene…
Sounds of Climate Change Exhibiton

Monday – Sunday, Museum, Free, no registration required. The Sounds of Climate Change is an immersive audio-visual exhibition created by Engineer & Acoustician Eugene McKeown, and commissioned by Galway City Council in 2025. The exhibition invites visitors to experience the changing Irish and global environment through sound — from melting glaciers to shifting seasons —…
Westend Art Collective Exhibiton – Future Fossils

Wednesday – Sunday, West End Art Collective, Dominick Street, Free, no registration required. Future Fossils is a conceptual art exhibition by the Westend Art Collective, exploring climate change through the lens of archaeology and material culture. The exhibition presents everyday contemporary objects as if they were discovered thousands of years in the future, preserved as…