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seasonal · Friday 24 July 2026 · Various 
Kilkenny Pride Festival
At Multiple venues · Kilkenny City, Co. Kilkenny
At Multiple venues · Kilkenny City, Co. Kilkenny
Kilkenny Pride Festival runs across four days in late July with the theme ‘Le Chéile’ - Irish for ‘Together’ - and it is exactly that: a celebration rooted in the city itself, organised by and for the local LGBTQ+ community and their allies. This is not a transplanted city event arriving on a lorry; it grew from Kilkenny and uses its streets, galleries, pubs and theatres as the stage. Families, friends, and anyone who wants to see Kilkenny in a celebratory mood will find something across the four days, from low-key pub quizzes to the Saturday parade through the medieval city centre.
The centrepiece is the Pride Parade on Saturday 26 July, stepping off at Kilkenny Castle at 1pm and moving through Parade Plaza, down High Street and Market Yard before finishing at the Butler Gallery at Evans Home on John’s Quay - a route that takes in the core of the old city. The walk takes about an hour and is open to all.
After the parade, Butler Gallery hosts a free Family Fun Day, run in association with Ossory Youth and Kilkenny County Council, with bubbles, face painting, and a silks performer for younger visitors.
Evening events span the full four days. Thursday’s opening night includes a Pride-themed Nerd Pub Quiz at Kyteler’s Inn, a Comedy Pride show at the Home Rule Club, and karaoke at Biddy Early’s. Friday features a Drag and Draw art class at Wildflower Cafe - a relaxed, creative session that sells out in previous years, so book early. Some evening events are ticketed; the parade and Family Fun Day are free.
Kilkenny is about 115km south-west of Dublin. Bus Eireann and Dublin Coach both run regular services, with the journey from Dublin around 2 hours. From Cork it is about 1 hour 40 by bus. If you are driving, the M9 motorway brings you most of the way from Dublin; exit at Junction 8 and follow signs for the city centre. Parking at Kilkenny Castle car park and at the Hebron Road park-and-ride fills quickly on busy summer weekends, so arriving early or leaving the car at the edge of the city and walking in is a sound plan.
Kilkenny City rewards time spent on foot - the castle grounds, the medieval mile, and the laneways running off High Street all repay wandering. There is more to see in Kilkenny and across Co. Kilkenny.
Heading to Multiple venues in Kilkenny? Kilkenny has plenty more to see. Read the Kilkenny area guide, find what else is on, and explore the towns and villages nearby.