Top Wicklow May Bank Holiday events 2025: Jazz, festivals, food, tribute shows and family fun across the county
The ever-popular Bray International Jazz Festival returns over the May bank holiday featuring headline performers such as Billboard Magazine musician of the year Vijay Iyer, Mercury Prize nominee Nubya Garcia, and celebrated Finnish trumpeter Vernari Pohjola.
For the 24th annual event, the festival welcomes former BBC Young Musician of the Year Xhosa Cole, acclaimed young Belgian trombonist Nabou Claerhout, Scottish jazz fusion experimentalists Norman Wilmore and Corrie Dick, Japanese koto player Mieko Miyazaki, and South African pianist and Blue Note recording artist Nduduzo Makhathini, amongst others.
Ballyknockan village in west Wicklow will host Feile an Chnocáin, running from Thursday, May 1, through to Monday, May 5.
Things kick off on the Thursday with a concert by the Ballymore Connect Choir taking place in St Joseph's Church, Valleymount from 7.30pm. Entry is free but you must book your place at Eventbrite.ie. A raffle will also take place on the night.
On Friday, Seamus Cullen will provide a free talk and slideshow on the flooding of the Blessington Lake taking place in St Joseph's Community Hall, Valleymount, at 7.30pm. There will also be live music in Cullen's Lounge starting at 8.30pm.
3. Car and Coffee
East Coast Classic and Vintage Club will be meeting in the car park of Jack Whites Inn for their first cars and coffee event of the season on Sunday May 4, running from 9.30am.
Chairman of East Coast Classic and Vintage Club Paul Clarke said: 'We are now part of the Irish Vintage Society and we are looking forward to hosting our coffee and cars event.'
4. Grill Fest
OutdoorLiving.ie will host the return of Grill Fest in their Glen of the Downs showroom on Monday, May 5, featuring food tastings, BBQ demos and some excellent deals.
The free event runs from 12 noon to 4pm, and on the day there will also be live music and plenty of spot prizes up for grabs.
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5. Rhythm of the Night
The Sinead O'Brien Dance School is gearing up for their latest production taking place in Blessington's Tramway Theatre.
They have been busily working away behind the scenes putting in place the final touches for their production Rhythm of the Night taking place on Saturday, May 3, and Sunday, May 4. Both shows will commence at 6.30pm. Tickets costing €15 are on sale from the Office Shop Blessington.
6. Tina Turner Tribute
The ultimate Tina Turner tribute is coming to the Arklow Bay Hotel on Sunday, May 4 at 9 pm.
Expect powerhouse vocals, high-energy performances, and all the iconic moves that made Tina the Queen of Rock 'n' Roll.
Tickets are €27.50 plus booking fee on eventbrite.ie
7. Charity day
You don't have to be a rugby fan to head down to Greystones RFC's charity day on Saturday, May 3, from 2pm.
There will be plenty of food and entertainment on offer as the club raises funds for the IRFU Charitable Trust. But if you are a rugby fan, the highlight of the afternoon will be a veterans' rugby match as Greystones RFC takes on the visiting Barbarians B.AWARE – a touring charity team from Toulouse, France. Later, you can gather to watch Leinster take on Northampton in the European Semi Final.
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