Ireland event guide: The Weeknd, Electric Picnic and the other best things to see in the week ahead

Ireland’s cultural scene is set for an exhilarating week from August 22nd to 28th, 2026, showcasing a diverse range of music concerts, festivals, theatre performances, and art exhibitions. At the forefront, Canadian superstar The Weeknd embarks on a celebrated stadium tour, marking a milestone in his career by performing selections from his acclaimed album trilogy: After Hours, Dawn FM, and Hurry Up Tomorrow.

Abel Tesfaye, known globally as The Weeknd, has ascended to become one of the most streamed and best-selling artists of the past three decades. His journey, marked by personal adversity including periods of homelessness and legal struggles, has profoundly shaped his music, earning critical praise and numerous awards. Fans attending these concerts in Ireland can anticipate a visually spectacular production, featuring intricate stagecraft and immersive special effects, complemented by support from special guest Playboi Carti.

Parallel to this headline event, the wider Irish music scene thrives with the continuation of the Wider Than Pictures concert series hosted in the atmospheric courtyard of the National Museum of Ireland. This series offers an intriguing contrast, beginning with Australian punk rock band Amyl and the Sniffers, known for their raw energy and rebellious style. They are joined by Philadelphia’s Mannequin Pussy and the London-based Irish Nigerian pop artist Spider, creating a dynamic lineup that appeals to a broad spectrum of music enthusiasts.

The series extends through the week with performances by Faye Webster, Deep in It, Mac DeMarco, whose concert has already sold out, and the iconic Super Furry Animals, reflecting the richness of Ireland’s live music offerings beyond mainstream festivals.

Speaking of festivals, Electric Picnic remains Ireland’s premier open-air music event, attracting over 80,000 attendees to Stradbally. The festival boasts an impressive roster of headliners including Fontaines DC, Van Morrison, Gorillaz, Wolf Alice, and Amble, alongside an extensive array of emerging and established acts scattered across multiple stages and secluded venues such as Croi and Fishtown. The addition of the GlowDepot’s late-night ‘city in the woods’ experience adds a novel dimension to the festival atmosphere. Tickets for this event sold out swiftly last September, underscoring its enduring popularity.

For those seeking more experimental and intimate musical explorations, a curated evening featuring avant-garde performers like Dennis McNulty, Hedgling, and Venetian Tendencies takes place concurrently. This event delves into soundscapes that blend electronic innovation with unconventional vocal and spatial techniques, offering a starkly different musical experience amid the week’s larger-scale events.

In the realm of literature and cultural diplomacy, the Kennedy Summer School convenes at St Michael’s Theatre, Dublin. Opening with remarks from Ireland’s Ambassador to the United States, Geraldine Byrne Nason, the week includes panels such as Voices of Irish Writers, featuring contemporary authors Belinda McKeon, Neil Tully, and Martina Evans, and discussions on current US political dynamics. Radio presenter Pat Kenny will also be featured in a public interview, highlighting the event’s interdisciplinary approach.

Complementing live performances and discussions, an art exhibition focused on the historical and cultural impact of the Irish border since 1922 opens, curated by Aoife Ruane and Orla Fitzpatrick. The exhibition presents nearly 30 works across photography, painting, print, and film, deliberately steering clear of clichéd representations to offer nuanced perspectives. Artists such as Willie Doherty and Dorothy Hunter contribute to this reflective showcase.

Theatre enthusiasts can look forward to high-profile productions including the West End’s Mean Girls musical, adapted from the 2004 film and recognized with multiple Tony Award nominations. The show features performances by Emily Lane, Vivian Panka, and Faye Tozer, maintaining a high standard of musical theatre.

Additionally, Peter Quilter’s acclaimed play about Judy Garland’s 1969 concert series in London, starring Anna-Jane Casey, will be staged in Dublin’s Gaiety Theatre and later in Belfast’s Opera House, offering a dramatic and intimate portrayal of the star’s final years.

Rounding out the week’s cultural offerings is a tour by renowned cellist Julian Lloyd Webber and his musician wife, promoting his autobiography Bows and Arrows. Their appearances across Galway, Limerick, Dublin, Ennis, Cork, and Mullingar include live performances, archival footage, and audience engagement, underscoring Ireland’s commitment to celebrating classical music alongside contemporary genres.

This convergence of major concerts, innovative art, engaging theatre, and literary discourse confirms late August as a vibrant period in Ireland’s cultural calendar, appealing to a wide audience and reflecting the nation’s rich artistic diversity.