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festivals · Tuesday 25 August 2026 · Various 
Liberties Festival 2026
At Liberties Area, Dublin 8 · Coombe, Meath Street, Vicar Street, Dublin 8
At Liberties Area, Dublin 8 · Coombe, Meath Street, Vicar Street, Dublin 8
The Liberties Festival is one of the oldest community festivals in Ireland, running since 1970 across one of Dublin’s most historically layered neighbourhoods. What started as a modest local celebration has grown into a six-day programme of street entertainment, live music, heritage walks, food, sport and community performance spread across the streets of Dublin 8 - the Coombe, Meath Street, Vicar Street and the broader Liberties area. It suits families, heritage enthusiasts, casual visitors and anyone who wants to see a working Dublin neighbourhood at its most animated.
The festival is community-led, organised by local groups with roots in the area, and that shows in the character of it. Rather than a single ticketed venue, events happen across different corners of the Liberties over six days (25-30 August 2026), so you can drift through the neighbourhood and encounter performances, markets and talks at different spots throughout the day.
Previous editions have included heritage walks through the area’s medieval street patterns, talks about the Liberties’ long tradition in weaving, whiskey distilling and the Huguenot community who settled here in the 17th century, live music in outdoor spaces, a community fun run taking in St James’s Gate and Francis Street, and family-oriented events in local parks and church grounds. Most events are free to attend, with some ticketed evenings and suggested donations for charity fundraisers. Check thelibertiesfestival.com closer to the date for the confirmed 2026 programme.
The Liberties sits in the south-west of Dublin city, a short walk from the medieval core. From the city centre - Grafton Street or Dame Street - it is roughly 15 to 20 minutes on foot via Patrick Street and the Coombe. Dublin Bus serves the area well: routes 123 and 50 run from the city centre through the neighbourhood. The Luas Red Line stops at Fatima and Rialto, both a walkable distance from the festival streets. If you are driving from outside Dublin, the M50 ring road connects to city access routes, but parking in Dublin 8 on a festival day is limited - public transport or cycling is a better bet.
The Liberties borders some of Dublin’s most visited sites - Christ Church Cathedral, St Patrick’s Cathedral, Marsh’s Library and the Guinness Storehouse are all within a few minutes’ walk, making it easy to build a full day around a festival visit. There is more to see in Dublin and across Co. Dublin.
Heading to Liberties Area, Dublin 8 in Dublin? Dublin has plenty more to see. Read the Dublin area guide, find what else is on, and explore the towns and villages nearby.
In town for Liberties Area, Dublin 8? These Dublin tours book out in summer.