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festivals · Wednesday 15 July 2026 · Various 
Malahide Summer Festival 2026
At Malahide Village · Malahide, Dublin 5
At Malahide Village · Malahide, Dublin 5
Malahide lights up for five days every July when the village turns itself into a festival. The Summer Festival is a free, community-run event that takes over the green, the beach and the main street with live music, street entertainment, food stalls and activities aimed at every age. It is the sort of occasion where locals bring the kids in the afternoon and stay on for the music into the evening - a proper village celebration rather than a ticketed production.
The festival runs across Malahide village rather than a single fenced site, so the atmosphere is relaxed and easy to dip in and out of. Expect a funfair near the beach, food and drink stalls dotted through the village, and live music from mid-afternoon onwards on New Street - acts tend to play from around 2pm through to 10pm each evening. The programme typically includes street performances, face painting and children’s activities such as puppet shows, storytelling and treasure hunts during the day, with the music crowd building through the evening. There are usually tai chi sessions and historical walking tours of the village for those who want something quieter. Food traders range from casual bites to proper sit-down portions. Everything is free to enter; you pay only for what you eat and drink.
Malahide is about 15km north of Dublin city centre, easily reached by DART - the Malahide line runs direct from Connolly and Pearse stations, journey time around 35 to 40 minutes. Trains run frequently during daytime and into the evening. Bus routes 32 and 102 from the city centre also serve the village. If you are driving from Dublin, take the M1 or the coast road (R107/R106) north through Clontarf and Portmarnock. Parking in the village fills quickly on festival days, so the DART is the smarter option - the station is a short walk from The Green and New Street.
The village is worth time beyond the festival - Malahide Castle and its gardens sit just north of the centre, the marina and coastal walk are a short stroll east, and the main street has good cafes and restaurants if you want to eat before or after the entertainment. There is more to see in Malahide and across Co. Dublin.
Heading to Malahide Village in Malahide? Dublin has plenty more to see. Read the Malahide area guide, find what else is on, and explore the towns and villages nearby.