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festivals · Sunday 12 July 2026 · 2:00pm 
Carlow Pride Festival 2026
At Carlow Town Park · Carlow Town Park, Carlow, Co. Carlow
At Carlow Town Park · Carlow Town Park, Carlow, Co. Carlow
Carlow Pride Festival brings the LGBTQ+ community and its supporters together every summer for a day of colour, music and celebration in Carlow town. Run by a voluntary, non-profit committee, it has grown steadily into one of the south-east’s most attended community events, drawing upwards of 3,500 people in recent years. If you want a free, family-friendly day out that feels genuinely local rather than corporate, this is it.
The festival centres on a marching parade that sets off from Carlow College and winds through the town centre before arriving at Carlow Town Park on the banks of the River Barrow. After the parade, the park becomes the main stage - expect live music, entertainment acts, community stalls and an easy-going atmosphere that suits everyone from teenagers to grandparents. The park itself is one of Carlow’s finest assets: twelve hectares of open green space along the Barrow, with good room for crowds to spread out and enjoy the afternoon. The 2026 edition takes place on Sunday 12 July with the parade kicking off at 2pm. The full programme is confirmed closer to the date on the official website, so it is worth checking carlowpridefest.ie in the weeks beforehand.
Carlow is well connected by rail and road. Irish Rail runs regular services from Dublin Heuston (roughly 70-80 minutes), and Bus Éireann covers routes from Kilkenny, Waterford and beyond. Carlow train and bus station is on Railway Road, a short ten-minute walk from the Town Park. By car, Carlow sits on the M9 motorway corridor and is about an hour south of Dublin. Town-centre car parks fill quickly on busy summer Sundays, so arriving early or using park-and-ride options where available makes the day easier.
The medieval ruin of Carlow Castle stands a short walk from the park, and the Carlow County Museum in the Town Hall is a good stop for anyone curious about the county’s history. The River Barrow towpath - part of the 100km Barrow Way walking trail - makes for a pleasant stroll before or after the event. There is more to see in Carlow and across Co. Carlow.
Heading to Carlow Town Park in Carlow? Carlow has plenty more to see. Read the Carlow area guide, find what else is on, and explore the towns and villages nearby.