A brand-new festival is set to take over Dublin’s quays in September 2026. On 12 and 13 September, the Irish capital will host the first Dublin City Council Liffey Festival, a largely free event centred on the river that runs through the city. Water sports, performances, boats, music, tours and family entertainment: for two days, the Liffey is expected to become one of Dublin’s liveliest spots.
Good news for travellers in the capital that weekend: a large part of the programme will be free to attend.
A new free festival in the heart of Dublin
The Liffey at the centre of the celebrations
It is impossible to imagine Dublin without the River Liffey. It divides the capital in two, runs through its historic centre and passes beneath some of its most famous bridges. On 12 and 13 September 2026, it will, for the first time, take centre stage at a major festival organised by Dublin City Council.
The Liffey Festival will take place on the river and along its quays, particularly around Sir John Rogerson’s Quay, Custom House Quay and George’s Dock. The aim is both to offer a different way of discovering the Liffey and to place the river back at the heart of Dublin’s cultural and tourist life.
The programme will combine activities on the water with entertainment on land. Visitors will be able to enjoy water sports, boats, street performances, music and family activities, among other attractions. Guided tours will also provide an opportunity to explore aspects of the Liffey’s history and heritage.
The famous Liffey Swim will be one of the highlights
A Dublin tradition more than a century old
The festival is not appearing entirely out of nowhere. The Liffey already hosts one of Dublin’s most iconic sporting events: the Liffey Swim.
Established in 1920, this open-water swimming race sees swimmers make their way along the river in the heart of the capital. The 2026 edition will be the 106th Liffey Swim and one of the major events of the new festival.
For travellers, it is quite an unusual spectacle: seeing dozens of swimmers on the Liffey, with Dublin’s quays, bridges and buildings as a backdrop, offers a very different side of the city.
Free entertainment throughout the weekend
What will there be to see at the Liffey Festival?
Dublin City Council wants this first edition to be accessible to as many people as possible. The programme will extend across several areas of the Docklands and quays.
Announced attractions include water-based activities, on-water demonstrations, performances, live music, street theatre and family entertainment.
A flotilla is also planned as one of the weekend’s highlights. The programme will showcase both Dublin’s maritime heritage and more contemporary uses of the river.
Some activities will have limited capacity and may require advance booking. If you are in Dublin on 12 and 13 September, it is therefore best to check the official programme before heading there.
An opportunity to discover Dublin’s Docklands
A district that has changed profoundly
The festival is also an excellent excuse to explore the Dublin Docklands. Long associated with port and industrial activity, the former docks have undergone a spectacular transformation over recent decades.
Today, historic buildings, contemporary architecture, offices, restaurants and cultural venues sit alongside one another around the Liffey. This part of Dublin is home to the Samuel Beckett Bridge, recognisable by its harp-like silhouette, as well as the impressive Custom House, a little further west.
The quays also provide an easy walking route to Dublin city centre. It is therefore entirely possible to include a few hours at the Liffey Festival in a typical day of sightseeing in the capital.
Should you plan your Dublin visit around the festival?
A great opportunity for September travellers
If your trip to Ireland falls on 12 or 13 September 2026, the event clearly deserves a place in your itinerary. Its main advantage is its location: there is no need to leave Dublin or devote an entire day to the festival.
You can discover some of the entertainment while walking along the Liffey, watch the Liffey Swim or head to the Docklands before continuing your sightseeing in the capital.
The largely free nature of the event is also welcome in a city where the cost of sightseeing can quickly add up.
Practical information
Dates, locations and access for the 2026 Liffey Festival
Dates: Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September 2026.
Location: along the River Liffey in Dublin, with activities planned in particular around Sir John Rogerson’s Quay, Custom House Quay and George’s Dock.
Access: the various sites are located in central Dublin and the Docklands. Several areas are within walking distance of the city centre and are also served by public transport.
Prices
How much does the Liffey Festival cost?
A large part of the Dublin City Council Liffey Festival is free. Some specific activities may, however, require booking because of limited capacity.
Before your visit, check the arrangements for the activity that interests you and whether you need to book a time slot.
Opening times
When does the Liffey Festival take place?
The festival takes place over the weekend of 12 and 13 September 2026. Times vary according to the activities and the different sites set up along the Liffey.
It is therefore advisable to check the programme and times for each activity before travelling, particularly for the Liffey Swim, water-based activities and events requiring booking.
Source: Dublin City Council, official programme for the Dublin City Council Liffey Festival 2026.
