Fest wishes for 2025!

While some of us may still be nursing the 2024 festival come-downs, both financially and otherwise, many are already making a list of must-attend fests for 2025.

From food and music festivals to sculpture trails, sailing events, outdoor adventures, and science extravaganzas, Leesiders won’t need to travel far to get their year’s fill of A-grade culture satisfaction throughout this coming new year.

Cork Whiskey Fest, 21-23 March

Get ready to toast the ultimate celebration of Irish whiskey and spirits, and it’s all happening here on Leeside. The third annual Cork Whiskey Fest returns from 21-23 March, taking over bars and venues across MacCurtain Street.

Over three days, whiskey lovers can indulge in expert-led tastings featuring rare and premium whiskeys and limited-edition releases. A festival highlight, the Brand Expo & Socials will host 50 whiskey distilleries and brands over the two evenings, who will offer complimentary samples of their finest creations alongside complementary mixers and food bites. In addition, this year, distilleries will also be showcasing their gins, rums, vodkas, and poitíns. To secure a spot, visit corkwhiskeyfest.com or follow @thecorkwhiskeyfest on social media.

Cork Carnival of Science, dates TBC

Ireland’s largest outdoor science engagement event, Cork Carnival of Science, takes place at Cork city’s Fitzgerald Park, supported by Cork City Council and Science Foundation Ireland. Cork Carnival of Science features more than 50 exhibitors and live science shows, offering non-stop, family-friendly experiments, interactive activities, games, street cuisine and a packed line-up of live entertainment all with a science or STEM theme! Enjoy making your own batteries, Lego building with Learn it Ireland, meet exotic creatures, check out the inner workings of robots, extract DNA from a banana and create a bang with chemists from UCC. While dates are yet to be confirmed you can lightly pencil this one in for a weekend in early June. For more see corkcity.ie.

Cork on a Fork Fest, 13-17 August

Experience the unique flavours of Cork's vibrant food culture as the city celebrates its culinary excellence, unmatched dining and nightlife scene, and exceptional local produce from regional growers, producers, and farmers. The majority of the country’s artisan food producers are from the Cork region. Over five days, local and visitors can savour the essence of authentic and multicultural gastronomy through exclusive dining experiences, food events, talks, cooking demonstrations, and a full children’s programme. For more more information, visit corkonaforkfest.ie.

Space Week Ireland (national)

Coordinated by MTU Blackrock Castle Observatory, Space Week Ireland coincides with the globally observed, World Space Week, and is the nation's premier celebration of space exploration and science taking place from 4-10 October 2025. Through a programme of 'out of this world' events Space Week Ireland aims to ignite a passion for space science and inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and astronauts.

Guinness Cork Jazz Festival

Ireland’s biggest and longest-established jazz event, the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival, has been a cornerstone of the cultural calendar since 1978. Taking place annually, it draws hundreds of talented musicians and tens of thousands of enthusiastic music fans to Cork city for a celebration of jazz in all its forms. The 2025 festival, running from 23–27 October, promises a stellar line-up of both Irish and international musicians, along with emerging artists who are redefining the boundaries of the genre. In addition to outstanding performances, the festival offers vibrant pop-up events, late-night parties, scenic boat trips, special collaborations, and the iconic spectacle of brass bands parading through the city streets. It’s no surprise this festival remains one of Ireland’s most popular and anticipated events. Stay tuned for the announcement of headline acts closer to the date. For updates and details, visit guinnesscorkjazz.com.

Island City - Cork’s Urban Sculpture Trail

If you are looking for something unique to explore in Cork, don’t miss Island City: Cork’s Urban Sculpture Trail. This captivating cultural trail features five public artworks installed across five locations in Cork city centre’s island over the last 18 months.

It includes prehistoric artefacts brought to life in 3D, a large crafted table where people can eat, play and socialise, a lane-length overhead sculptural piece that responds to the shifting shape of the city, an art nouveau crafted lamp-post that encourages people to look up and explore the architecture as they navigate through the city, and a light installation that depicts Corkonians gathering to share a moment of togetherness, united by the beauty of a setting summer sun. The five artworks include: Sentinels [flew through the ages in the shape of birds] on Carey’s Lane by Niamh McCann; Boom Nouveau on Cook Street by Forerunner; The Face Cup at The Exchange Building, Princes Street/Oliver Plunkett St by Fiona Mulholland; Urban Mirror on Cornmarket Street (Coal Quay) by plattenbaustudio and Winter Sun at Triskel Christchurch by Elinor O’Donovan. Download your self-guided map or book one of the monthly guided tours on www.corkcity.ie/islandcity. For updates follow @IslandCityCorkSculpture on Instagram.