Music Festivals in Dublin in 2022

The Irish capital of Dublin is the cultural epicenter of the country. Home to the best museums, art galleries, theaters, and music venues in the country, Dublin is also home to some of the biggest events in the entire nation.

The city is also home to some major cultural events in the Irish entertainment calendar, including the Dublin Theatre Festival, the Dublin Book Festival, the Bram Stoker Festival, and the Dublin Fringe Festival. In fact, there are so many festivals in Dublin that it can be difficult to keep track of them all.

That's as true for Irish music festivals as it is for everything else.

Plus, one of the advantages of visiting Dublin to see great music festivals is that Ireland is relatively small. A few hours' journey is enough to take you from the capital city to any other major city in the country. So while some of the best music festivals in Ireland do take place outside Dublin itself, the city still makes the perfect base for enjoying these festivals.

So, if you're looking for the best music festivals in Ireland, you've come to the right place. Drop off your bags at a secure luggage storage in Dublin and get ready to enjoy your summer to the fullest. And don't forget to check out our guide on how to get around Dublin for more information on how to visit festivals in the area surrounding the city.

The Best Music Festivals in Dublin in 2022

Country to Country

Ireland may not be the first country that comes to mind when you think of country music. However, this uniquely American art form has a big following in the Emerald Isle, and when you look a little deeper, it's maybe not that surprising. Traditional Irish folk music has had a big influence on the evolution of American country, and so you'll find no shortage of country music fans on the other side of the Atlantic.

Country to Country is one of the biggest Irish festivals of the year for country music fans. Held from 11th - 13th of March 2022, the festival spans three arenas in three countries, with shows taking place in London and Glasgow at the same time as the Dublin event. That makes this the biggest country music event in Europe.

Headlined this year by Darius Rucker, Luke Combs, and Miranda Lambert, C2C is a grand country event straight out of Nashville. If you're a fan of country music or Americana in general, you owe it to yourself to see this most American-style of all Irish festivals.

St Patrick's Festival

Held in celebration of Ireland's national day, the St. Patrick's Festival may not be a music festival in the traditional sense of the term. However, St. Patrick's Day in Dublin is one of the biggest festivals in Ireland, and is an unforgettable arts festival to experience in person. Plus, music is so inextricably tied up with Irish culture and identity that you'll have plenty of music here. And if you're not a fan of pipe and fiddle, don't worry. Plenty of more contemporary bands play in Dublin on Saint Patrick's Day to provide some contrast with the traditional Irish music.

This year's festival mainstage features performers like Blaq Apollo, N.O.A.H., and Code of Behavior. Along with the music, other stages host literary and performing arts events, making this festival the ideal way to kick off the season. You'll be able to enjoy great music, fun food, and a lively, family-friendly atmosphere at this celebration of Irish culture, so it's definitely one worth attending.

Forbidden Fruit

Held this year from June 4th-5th, Forbidden Fruit is one of the biggest of Dublin's music festivals. Located within the grounds of the Irish Museum of Modern Art, this festival has been going strong for a decade now, bringing together the best of international touring acts and local talent to create one of the most iconic of all Irish music festivals.

Previous years have featured acts like The Flaming Lips, New Order, the Wu-Tang Clan, Bon Iver, and Skepta. This year's event also brings some big names to Kilmainham, with Lorde, Biig Piig, Peggy Gou, and BICEP all scheduled to perform. Beyond the festival grounds, Forbidden Fruit Nights spills over into many of the top clubs and venues in the city with several well-attended after-parties. Tickets for the after-parties are sold separately from those for the main music festival, and it's a good idea to book ahead if you're planning to attend.

Tickets for the main festival cost €74.50 for a single day and €139.50 for the entire event. However, it's best to book well in advance, as this popular festival generally sells out early. As one of the most popular festivals in Ireland, you'll need to be quick if you want to get into these ticketed events and see the live performances on offer in Dublin, Ireland.

Dublin International Chamber Music Festival

This long-running festival began over 50 years ago under the name Music in Great Irish Houses. Now, the Dublin International Chamber Music Festival is one of the biggest and best classical music festivals in all of Ireland. Returning after a pandemic hiatus, DICMF will be held in multiple venues across the city. And true to the festival's origins, these venues are almost as beautiful as the music itself.

The festival opens in Killruddery House with a performance by the Carducci Quartet. Other events take place at the National Botanic Gardens and in the Royal Chapel of Dublin Castle, making for an unforgettable experience of art and history in the capital city. Performers this year include Peter Tuite, Rosalind Ventris, and the Irish Chamber Orchestra. Expect to hear work by Dvorak, Vivaldi, Elgar, JS Bach, and Amy Beach, among other notable composers.

The festival begins on June 7 and runs through to June 12. Tickets are sold separately for each event, and range from €12.50 up to €38 depending on the performance you want to attend. It's a good idea to book in advance, as these intimate venues can quickly sell out.

All Together Now

OK, this music festival isn't actually held in Dublin, but in Waterford. But it's worth making the two-hour journey to attend this festival in person if you can. Held from July 29 - 31st, this event doesn't need to be a Dublin festival to draw a crowd. Thanks to the incredible lineup the organizers put together, this is one of the biggest Irish festivals around and attracts partygoers from all over the country as well as from Dublin city itself.

This year's line up provides an almost irresistible draw for fans of live music. Headlined by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Sinead O'Connor, Underworld, and Groove Armada, this festival promises an eclectic approach to music that embraces rock, dance, pop, jungle, and just about every other musical style you can imagine.

Held outside Waterford on the Curraghmore Estate, this weekend festival offers camping for the true festival experience. Along with musical acts, you'll get to see a variety of different art forms including spoken word, comedy, dance, and performing arts. You'll also find some incredible street food to keep your belly full while you dance the days away. This is a truly unmissable summer weekend festival, and definitely one you should put in your calendar.

Tickets don't come cheap, at €235 for the weekend. However, given the caliber of the artists performing, this festival could be seen as quite a bargain.

Electric Picnic

Held on the stunning grounds of Stradbally Hall in Laois, Electric Picnic will require a little travel from Dublin to reach it. Laois takes a little over an hour to reach by car, so while you couldn't call this a Dublin festival, it is close enough to be worth making the journey. The much-anticipated return of this festival is certain to be one of the most popular summer events in Ireland in 2022.

This year, Electric Picnic takes place from September 2 to September 4. This massive arts festival offers more than just music, with workshops and panel discussions along with dance and comedy routines providing something for everyone.

Electric Picnic also features fairground rides, and there is a special children's festival called the Little Picnic that features creative play and entertainment for little ones that make it well worth the journey outside Dublin.

But ultimately, any music festival is only as good as its lineup. Lucky, then, that this year's Electric Picnic roster is as strong as ever. Headliners Dermot Kennedy, Megan Thee Stallion, Tame Impala, Picture This, Arctic Monkeys, and Snow Patrol are the biggest names at the festival, but the multiple stages at Electric Picnic also have smaller acts. And in this case, smaller acts means internationally renowned performers like Pixies and Bright Eyes, among others. So ultimately, whatever kind of music you prefer, there is a good chance you'll find it here.

Add in some of Ireland's top purveyors of festival food, and you have all the ingredients you need for an incredible festival experience. Tickets will certainly sell out, especially with the pent-up demand from previous years when the festival was canceled, so if you don't have your tickets yet, you may already be too late.

Longitude

From the first of 3 July, Marlay Park in Dublin becomes one of the hottest venues for live music in Europe. That's because it's the home of the Longitude festival, a music and arts festival that has become one of the most popular festivals on the calendar.

The biggest hip-hop and urban music festival of the year, Longitude 2022 is headlined by Dave, Doja Cat, Tyler, the Creator, A$AP Rocky, and Megan Thee Stallion. You'll also see acts like Jack Harlow, Aitch, and Ski Mask The Slump God at this festival. A three-day ticket will set you back a pricey €239, but you can get a taste of what the festival has to offer with a single-day ticket for €99.50.

Playing to spend some more days in Dublin?

A music festival is a great excuse to visit Dublin. And given the variety of different festivals in Ireland, it's not difficult at all to find a music festival that appeals to you. Plus, if you're willing to travel outside of Dublin itself, you could also enjoy some great events like the Cork Jazz Festival, or head to Belfast to take in the Belfast International Arts Festival and the Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival.

If you find yourself with some time to kill in Dublin before or after your music festival, check out our guide to 3 days in Dublin for some inspiration on how to spend your time.

For example, you could learn more about the turbulent history of Ireland at some of the best museums in Dublin, such as the National Museum of Island and Dublin Castle. Alternatively, if your music festival adventures have you running an energy deficit, check out the best street food in Dublin to refuel in the most delicious way possible. Or, if you're traveling with the family, you can read up on the best family-friendly activities in Dublin to keep you entertained between one festival and the next.

The truth is, in a city like Dublin, you never have to worry about running out of things to do. There's so much here that you can visit the city a hundred times and never get tired of the place. So drop off your bags at a Bounce luggage storage and get ready to enjoy your Dublin summer, whatever music festival or other event you choose to explore. The Irish capital is just waiting to show you a good time.