Limerick City and County Council invites families to make Limerick City their playground this coming May Bank Holiday Weekend as Riverfest Limerick 2026 prepares to deliver a packed programme of events and activities to suit all ages and interests.
Taking place from 1st - 4th May, Riverfest offers families the perfect excuse to plan a fun-filled few days in the city, with high-energy entertainment and relaxed riverside experiences.
Kids Fun Run for Charity
Limerick City and County Council is once again proud to sponsor the Great Limerick Run: Kids Fun Run at University of Limerick in partnership with the Regeneron Great Limerick Run. This year’s charity partner is the Children’s Grief Centre - providing a safe space for school aged children and young people to talk, play and process their grief.
Explore Riverfest
Across the four days of Riverfest Limerick 2026, the banks of the Shannon will come alive with a vibrant mix of street performances, live music, arts and crafts, great food, on the water fun and large-scale spectacle. Many events are FREE, so get planning now for a memorable weekend of family fun.
Here are just some of the family friendly highlights:
Riverfestival Village (1st - 4th May)
A vibrant festival hub at Arthur’s Quay Park, with food stalls, crafts, vintage amusements, live music and roaming performers - perfect for a relaxed family day out.
Riverfest Spectacular Fireworks Display (Sunday, 10:15pm)
A real late-night treat worth staying up for, this brilliant display will light up the night sky and bring Sunday’s celebrations to a dazzling close. Recommended viewing points at Clancy Strand and Sarsfield Bridge
Meet the Legends of Limerick (Friday, 1pm - 5pm)
Interactive street theatre across Cruises Street and the Riverfestival Village, featuring storytelling, games and playful encounters with local folklore.
Fidget Feet Circus Street Shows (1st, 3rd and 4th with various showtimes)
Experience the thrill of a high energy street circus on Honan’s Quay as Fidget Feet return to Riverfest Limerick with a bold, theatrical performance series created for the riverfront.
Big Shots Travelling Nickelodeon (1st–4th May, 6pm - 10pm)
A unique pop-up film experience along the boardwalk, offering short films in a cosy, weatherproof setting along Howley’s Quay and Harvey’s Quay, inviting families to stop, watch and enjoy. Fully captioned for accessibility.
Riverfest at Limerick Milk Market (1st - 4th May, 11am - 3pm)
A mix of family-friendly fun including an Art Class with Kathy, Kids Cupcake Decorating Workshop, Red Bull Dance Your Own Style Qualifier and Monday’s Riverfest Art Fair and Family Fun Day, featuring a lively pirate show.
Riverfest in the Hunt Museum Garden (Saturday, 11am - 4pm)
A relaxed outdoor day with games, workshops, an insect hunt and interactive storytelling and music inspired by nature.
Great Limerick Run: Kids Fun Run (Saturday, 2:30pm)
A fun, supportive run for children at the University of Limerick, sponsored by Limerick City and County Council, encouraging participation, movement and confidence.
Songtales sa Spéir (Saturday, 11am – 4pm)
A live music performance for young children and families presented by Ceol Connected, featuring original music written especially for young listeners and inspired by nature and the enchantment of a magical woodland known as Whistleberry Forest.
Swan in Love (Saturday at 12pm, 2pm & 4pm)
A whimsical riverside performance combining music, movement and playful interaction for families to enjoy together.
The Drop Science Bubble Show (Sunday at 1pm, 2pm & 4pm)
An interactive show on Cruises Street where science meets entertainment through bubbles, fun demonstrations and audience participation.
The Irish Dance Playground (Monday morning & afternoon)
An engaging introduction to Irish dance through games, rhythm and guided movement in a fun, inclusive environment.
Go Fly Your Kite Workshops (Monday at 12pm, 2pm & 4pm)
A creative riverside activity on the boardwalk at Harvey’s Quay, where families can decorate and fly their own kites, creating a colourful festival finale.
The Storytelling Yurt – Puppets by the River (Monday at Clancy’s Strand)
Enjoy a fun, family friendly performance, Puppets by the River, featuring legends of the Shannon, local folklore, and stories from around the world. And don’t forget to drop by Robert Byrne Park for the River Creatures Sock Puppet Workshop.
Riverfest Limerick 2026 features a wide-ranging programme designed for all interests and age groups. Visitors are encouraged to explore the full schedule and build their own itinerary across the weekend by visiting Limerick.ie/Riverfest.
With so much to see and do, Riverfest offers the perfect opportunity for families to come together, explore the city, and enjoy a memorable May bank holiday weekend experience.
Leading the Way in Sustainable Events
Riverfest Limerick is an award-winning festival, having been nationally recognised for excellence in event delivery and sustainability at the Event Industry Awards for 2025. Building on this success, Riverfest 2026 will further strengthen its environmental focus by promoting ecofriendly travel options, advancing zero waste practices, and increasing the use of digital event materials to reduce environmental impact. These efforts reflect Limerick City and County Council’s ongoing commitment to celebrating the city’s culture and community while protecting and respecting its natural environment, particularly the River Shannon at the heart of the festival.
Plan Your Visit
With events running across four days and dozens of activities taking place citywide, Riverfest Limerick 2026 offers families the freedom to dip in and out, stay for an hour or make a full weekend of it.
The Riverfest Limerick 2026 Map will guide you to the dozens of events available to enjoy.
Road Closures and Diversions:
Limerick City and County Council has issued a notice of temporary road closures to facilitate Riverfest Limerick 2026, taking place Friday 1 May to Monday 4 May 2026. A series of streets and quays across the city will be closed to vehicular traffic and parking at specified times.
Closures apply across multiple city centre locations. Local diversions will operate.
The Regeneron Great Limerick Run on Sunday 3 May will also be supported through planned race related road closures.
Full road closure and traffic diversion details on Limerick.ie
Riverfest Limerick 2026 is brought to you by Limerick City and County Council and produced by Grooveyard and Riverfest Limerick 2026 Festival Friends: Re-Turn | Mr Binman
Media Partners are | Live 95 | Limerick Leader | Limerick Post | Spin Southwest
For full details of all events and times visit Riverfest | Limerick.ie
Stay up to date on Riverfest Limerick 2026 social media: Facebook | Instagram | X | TikTok
#RiverfestLimerick #LimerickEdgeEmbrace
Full event details, timings and updates are available at: Limerick.ie/Riverfest