Park Life - Sunday 17th
The beating heart of our festival every year - Saturday & Sunday in our beautiful Con Smith Park, Cathedral Road, Cavan Town. Parking available right next door at Cavan Institute.
Sunday 17th May, 10:30am
Starts & Finishes at The Playground, Con Smith Park
Pedal Parade
Join us as we take over the streets for a celebration of Bike Week 2026! Cycle together with VIP escorts from Con Smith Park to the courthouse and back as we dance, ride and celebrate all things pedal-powered.
Sunday 17th May, 11am-12pm
Con Smith Park, Cavan
Dance Connects
Dance Connects in Rural Border Regions is a project supporting interrelations between people and place through dance. We’re delighted to partner with them in a series of exciting workshops and a talk.
Sunday 17th May, 11am-4pm
Cavan Institute, Rooms A220/A221 (upstairs)
Sensory Room
The Sensory Room by Cavan Autism Centre and C.A.P.S. (Cavan Autism Parents Support CLG) returns to Cavan Arts Festival this year, offering a calm and welcoming space where visitors can take a break from the excitement of the festival.
Sunday 17th May, 11:30am-1:30pm
Con Smith Park, Cavan
Sásta Play
This workshop is perfect for children aged 2 to 5, where they can spark their curiosity by immersing themselves in sensory, imaginative and messy play experiences.
Join Helen from Sásta Play for a fun-filled afternoon.
Sunday 17th May, 12pm
Big Top Tent, Con Smith Park
Kyle Riley & Little Folk - On The Road
Kyle’s back with his wildly popular family concert for young children. ‘Little Folk-On the Road’ is perfectly suited for 2-6 year olds and their adults.
Tickets: €10 per child
No charge for adults
Sunday 17th May, 12pm
Cavan Institute, Room A103
Amhrán na Mara
(Song of the Sea)
Cuirtear an scagadh seo i láthair mar chuid de Cavan Community Cinema i gcomhar le Gaelphobal an Chabháin, agus beidh comhrá ann i ndiaidh an scannáin, deis chun páirt a ghlacadh i gcomhrá trí Ghaeilge.
Sunday 17th May, 12:30pm
The Court Stage, Con Smith Park, Cavan
Samba Workshop
Join Keith Smyth, an experienced percussionist and community educator, for an energising Samba Workshop!
Sunday 17th May, 1pm
Soggy Bottom, Con Smith Park, Cavan
A Fine Balance
by Alchemy Arts
Two former Daredevil circus performers, the Two Tonys, are determined to make a super-safe circus show with no thrills or spills.
Sunday 17th May, 1:30pm
Big Top Tent, Con Smith Park
Nîwar Ismat Issa
Nîwar Ismat Issa is a composer, music producer, and multi-instrumentalist from Iraqi Kurdistan.
Sunday 17th May, 1:45pm & 3:30pm
Cavan Institute, Room A201
Hand Drawn Animation Workshop - Matchbox Mountain
In this fun, hands-on workshop, participants will learn how to create simple animations using paper and pencil, exploring storytelling, movement and creativity. Guided step-by-step, they’ll develop their own short animated sequence, from initial idea to finished scene, and see their work come to life on screen.
Ages: 8-15
Tickets: €15
Sunday 17th May, 1:45pm
Cavan Institute
Caint agus Comhrá - Gaelphobal an Chabháin
Join Gaelphobal an Chabháin afterwards for a chat and discussion about the film 'Amhrán na Mara' (Song of the Sea). Gaelphobal an Chabháin is a community group in Cavan that provides opportunities for people to practise and use their cúpla focal. All ages and levels of Irish are welcome.
Sunday 17th May, 2:30pm
Big Top Tent, Con Smith Park
Dotts O’Connor
Dotts O’Connor is an alternative folk songwriter rooted in quiet places and loud thoughts, known for his distinctive guitar playing that favors texture and restraint.
Sunday 17th May, 2:30pm-5:30pm
Small Top Tent, Con Smith Park
Radio Butty
After a memorable appearance at Cavan Arts Festival 2025, Radio Butty returns, curated by the legendary Pat McCabe.
Sunday 17th May, 3pm
The Court Stage, Con Smith Park, Cavan
Hula-Hoop Workshop
A hula hoop workshop for all ages and levels with Nicole Beck.
Sunday 17th May, 3:30pm
Big Top Tent, Con Smith Park
Rita Perry
Rita Perry is an Irish-Catalan artist, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist.
Sunday 17th May, 4:30pm
Big Top Tent, Con Smith Park
Between Two Worlds - Daragh Slacke & Guests
Between Two Worlds is a unique live performance of music and poetry, featuring readings by acclaimed poet Noel Monahan. Taking its title from one of his poems, the project explores two worlds; the written word and the word in song. Distinct and intertwined, when words fail, music speaks; and when music begins, the written word gives context.
Tickets: €10
Sunday 17th May, 2pm
The Court Stage, Con Smith Park, Cavan
About! - Duo Padella
Making their Cavan Arts Festival debut, Duo Padella are an Italian contemporary circus duo bringing their anarchic and playful show About! to Con Smith Park.
Packed with humour, energy and a touch of madness, About! invites audiences of all ages to rediscover their playful side.
Sunday 17th May
Cavan Institute
Creative Collectives 2026
Experience the cutting edge at Creative Collectives 2026, where Cavan Institute students push the boundaries of art, design, and technology.
Sunday 17th May
Con Smith Park, Cavan
March of the Unseen
Bursary Winner 2026 - Elena Duff
Elena Duff is a Cavan-based artist and musician who creates paintings, installations, and video/audio works that open windows into surreal, whimsical worlds. Her practice draws on folk mythology and ancient rituals, inviting viewers to step into landscapes both strange and enchanting. She has received numerous art awards and exhibited widely across Ireland and Europe.
Art Installation
Sunday 17th May
Con Smith Park, Cavan
Skate Jam with Cavan Concrete Surfing
Cavan Arts Festival are delighted to be teaming up with Cavan Concrete Surfing again this year.
Try skateboarding! Come and have a go at our welcoming & supportive have-a-try lessons.
11am-4pm
Sunday 17th May, 10:30am-5pm
Con Smith Park, Cavan
Forest Feast Food Area
Join us for a fabulous selection of some incredibly tasty food from fresh sushi and mouth watering burgers to delicious BBQ, coffees, cakes, vegetarian options & refreshing treats. You name it, we have it this year in our forest feast area!
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Official Cavan Arts Festival Programme 2026
A magical four days & nights of art & culture in the heart of Cavan Town