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music · Saturday 15 August 2026 · 8:00pm 
Route 66 Big Band
At The Moat Theatre · The Moat Theatre, Naas, Co. Kildare
At The Moat Theatre · The Moat Theatre, Naas, Co. Kildare
A night of classic big band music comes to Naas on Saturday 15 August 2026, when Route 66 Big Band take to the stage at the Moat Theatre. This is a full ensemble - brass, saxophones and a solid rhythm section fronted by both male and female vocalists - playing a repertoire that moves from 1940s swing through soul, jazz and rock ‘n’ roll, right into the present day. If you have ever wanted to hear Count Basie-era arrangements alongside Van Morrison and Adele, all played live by a proper band in a proper theatre, this is that night.
Route 66 Big Band are a well-travelled Leinster act with a reputation for getting people on their feet. The set pulls from the golden age of American popular music - think Glenn Miller horns and Frank Sinatra standards - then pivots through the decades with numbers made famous by Ella Fitzgerald, Tina Turner, Tom Jones and Joe Dolan. The arrangements are full and authentic, not a stripped-back covers night; the brass section alone is worth the ticket. The Moat Theatre holds around 200 seats in a retractable auditorium, so there is no bad seat in the house, and the room is small enough that the energy between band and audience builds quickly. Expect a two-hour show with the emphasis firmly on dancing and enjoying yourself.
Naas sits on the M7 motorway, roughly 30 km south-west of Dublin, making it a straightforward drive from most of Leinster. From Dublin, the M7 brings you directly to the Naas North or Naas South exits; the town centre and theatre are well signposted from both. Street parking is available around the town centre in the evenings, and there are car parks close to the main square. Bus Eireann and Dublin Coach run regular services between Dublin city and Naas, and the journey takes around 45 minutes; the theatre is a short walk from the main bus stops in the town.
Naas is the county town of Kildare, with a good range of restaurants and pubs to make an evening of it before or after the show. The town also sits within easy reach of the Curragh, the Japanese Gardens at Tully, and the Hill of Allen. There is more to see in Naas and across Co. Kildare.
Heading to The Moat Theatre in Naas? Kildare has plenty more to see. Read the Naas area guide, find what else is on, and explore the towns and villages nearby.