Cairde Festival
5th – 12th 2025
Cairde Sligo Arts Festival is Sligo’s flagship multidisciplinary arts festival, taking place each year in July. The festival presents a dynamic and diverse programme of artistic experiences that span music, theatre, visual arts, circus, literature, dance, street arts and spectacle. Cairde is deeply rooted in the unique coastal and cultural landscape of Sligo, transforming urban and rural spaces into vibrant creative stages. We curate a programme that champions Irish and international artists, showcasing both new and established voices, and delivering exceptional, accessible, and inclusive arts experiences for all.
Cairde is presenting a special programme of family friendly events in Queen Maeve Square for this year’s festival on Friday 11th and Saturday 12th July . This programme will feature a diverse range of exceptional and award winning street theatre, circus and spectacle artists including Jones & Barnard, Bill & Fred Productions’ The Grannies, NoFit State, Kristyn Fontanella Dance, Amadan Circus and Toxic Dogs.
This year’s festival will culminate in the world premiere of Ephemera, newly commissioned spectacle work by Volki Dana involving engagement from a wide range of community groups.
For full info on the festival programme see https://www.cairdefestival.com/2025
