← All events
music · Friday 3 July 2026 · Various 
Kaleidoscope Festival presented by Glenveagh
At Russborough House and Gardens · Blessington, Co. Wicklow
At Russborough House and Gardens · Blessington, Co. Wicklow
Kaleidoscope is one of the few festivals in Ireland that genuinely works for the whole family without making a compromise of it. Held across three days at Russborough House and Gardens in Blessington, it pairs a proper music lineup with a full programme of kids’ activities, workshops, and live performance that can keep a six-year-old and a sixty-year-old equally occupied. The 2026 edition is presented by Glenveagh and runs from Friday 3 July to Sunday 5 July.
Each day has its own character. Friday opens with Natasha Bedingfield headlining - expect a singalong set built around anthems people know inside out. Saturday raises the tempo: Pete Tong brings Ibiza Classics to Russborough, performed live by The Essential Orchestra, which turns the familiar recordings into something considerably bigger. Sunday belongs to The Saw Doctors, who have been closing Irish festivals for decades and reliably send people home in good form.
Beyond the main stage, Kaleidoscope fills the grounds with over a hundred workshops, circus and theatre shows, science experiences, arts and crafts, baby and toddler play zones, sports and wellness activities. The setting earns its keep here - Russborough House is an 18th-century Palladian mansion set in 200 acres of parkland, with walled gardens, woodland walks and a beech maze. As a festival site it is unusually beautiful, and the space means crowds spread out comfortably across the weekend.
Camping and accommodation packages are available alongside day passes.
Blessington is roughly 30 kilometres south-west of Dublin, about 40 minutes by car via the N81 through Tallaght and Brittas. Dublin Bus route 65a runs from Tallaght to Blessington, connecting to city centre services, so it is reachable by public transport without a car if you are coming in from Dublin for the day. Check Transport for Ireland for current timetables before you travel. Free parking is available on-site for festival-goers staying or attending by car.
Blessington sits on the edge of the Poulaphouca Reservoir, one of the largest artificial lakes in Ireland, and the town itself is a solid base for exploring the Wicklow uplands. There is more to see in Blessington and across Co. Wicklow.
Heading to Russborough House and Gardens in Blessington? Wicklow has plenty more to see. Read the Blessington area guide, find what else is on, and explore the towns and villages nearby.