Howth Maritime and Seafood Festival 2026

What to Expect

The Howth Maritime and Seafood Festival returns to Howth Harbour for a cracking three-day run from the evening of Friday 22 May through to Sunday 24 May 2026, with Saturday and Sunday running from noon to 6:00 PM daily. Set against the backdrop of one of Dublin’s most picturesque fishing harbours, this free festival is one of the genuinely great family days out of the summer calendar.

The harbourfront comes alive with a seafood village, craft trader zones, live music from the marina, circus tent performances and a kite workshop for kids and adults. There are two food court zones offering a wide range of street food, inflatables and interactive games for children, and a mobile library with quiet spaces for those who want a gentler pace. A live DJ keeps the energy up in the seafood village area throughout the afternoon.

Entry is completely free, though some specific activities such as the kite workshop carry a small charge. The setting is spectacular, the seafood is genuinely fresh and locally sourced, and the atmosphere is exactly what an Irish harbour festival should feel like.

Good to Know

• Friday 22 May (evening), Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 May 2026
• Saturday and Sunday 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM
• Completely free entry
• Family friendly with dedicated children’s activities
• Quiet spaces available for sensory breaks
• Dogs welcome on leads

Getting There

Howth is on the DART line, about 30 minutes from Pearse or Connolly stations. The harbour is a five-minute walk from Howth DART station. Driving is possible but parking in Howth fills up fast on festival weekends; the DART is strongly recommended.