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family · Monday 13 July 2026 · 10:00am 
Galway International Arts Festival with Family-Friendly Programming
At Multiple venues across Galway City · Various locations throughout Galway city and county
At Multiple venues across Galway City · Various locations throughout Galway city and county
The Galway International Arts Festival - GIAF - is one of the biggest arts events in Ireland, and the 2026 edition runs for a full 14 days from 13 to 26 July. This is not a single show but a city-wide takeover: theatres, streets, parks, piers and galleries all become part of the programme. Families with children of most ages will find plenty to enjoy, and a good portion of the most spectacular moments are completely free to watch.
The headline free event for families is Compagnie PPP’s The Whale Street - a full outdoor reimagining of Moby Dick that turns Galway’s medieval streets into a moving stage. At the centre of it are two extraordinary creations: an 18-metre whale brought to life with hydraulics and water effects, and a 15-metre ship with a mast for aerial performers. Captain Ahab and his crew roam through the streets with audiences following behind. Performances take place on Friday 17 and Saturday 18 July at 9:30pm and are free to attend.
For a more traditional circus experience, NoFit State Circus perform Carnation in their fully-seated big top at Nimmo’s Pier - daring aerial work, live music and cinematic imagery from the Welsh company that sold out Sabotage at last year’s festival. This is a ticketed show. Beyond those two headline acts, the wider programme includes theatre, dance, comedy, visual arts and the Festival Garden at Eyre Square, which is a free gathering space open across the fortnight. Street spectacles, visual art galleries and outdoor installations carry no charge.
Galway city is about two hours by road from Dublin via the M6, and around two and a half hours from Cork via the N18. Bus Éireann and GoBus run regular services from Dublin, with the journey taking around two to two and a half hours depending on the service. Galway train station (Ceannt Station) is served by Irish Rail from Dublin Heuston, with several departures a day. During the festival the city centre is busy, so parking on the outskirts and walking in - or using the park-and-ride on the Headford Road - tends to be easier than hunting for space near Eyre Square.
The city has plenty to hold a family for a day before or after the festival: the Spanish Arch, the Latin Quarter, Salthill promenade and the weekend market on Saturdays are all within easy walking distance of the festival venues. There is more to see in Galway and across Co. Galway.
Heading to Multiple venues across Galway City in Galway? Galway has plenty more to see. Read the Galway area guide, find what else is on, and explore the towns and villages nearby.