This year's Waterford Spraoi festival is full of surprises
This year's Spraoi programme, designed by local artist Lee Grace.
The Spraoi International Arts Festival 2026 programme has officially launched, and it is packed full of exciting street performances, music concerts, fireworks attractions and the annual Spraoi street parade, all of which promises to transform Waterford City streets into an imaginative wonderland this August Bank Holiday Weekend.
This year's festival brings even more excitement than usual, with festival activities starting on Thursday, July 30, with a Catalonian clown trio that festival programmers are saying is their favourite show they've ever seen.
Packed into a tiny yurt pitched in the heart of Waterford City at Jenkin's Lane car park, Catalonian Mort de Riure present 'Death From Laughter', a riotous, dark comedy full of slapstick humour, breathtaking acrobatics, and a dose of existential chaos.
Running as a limited capacity show for an audience of only 250 people on Thursday, July 30, and Friday, July 31, at Jenkin's Lane car park, this show is high on Spraoi's not-to-miss list - and also marks a first as Spraoi kicks off a day earlier than usual, on a Thursday.
Another unique addition to this year's Spraoi experience are the limited edition Spraoi t-shirts, something the festival hasn't seen in 15 years. This limited edition Spraoi merchandise comes in two colour ways and is available for purchase from the information booths at The Mall for €20.
With only 150 t-shirts printed, and some sold at the programme launch party, hitting the information booths as early as possible may be your best bet. Selling all 150 t-shirts would be enough to cover the cost of one (small) act's travel, accommodation and food for the duration of the festival.
The main festival programme commences at John Roberts Square on Friday, August 1, at 4pm, with Wave: Around The World by UMAKOKO, an interactive outdoor dance experience and Ireland's representative at the Four Nations outdoor arts project.
From then until Sunday night’s fireworks display launched from the River Suir, Waterford city centre will offer a feast of entertainment day and night.
This year is geared up to be one of Spraoi's best, with another new addition to the festival being their Heineken Weekender on O'Connell Street, offering festival goers three days and nights of exceptional free music and cultural experiences.
Partnering with Thomas Maher's, Tully's, and Phoenix Yard Market, this is Spraoi's only official music stage, with performances from high profile artists like singer Eleanor Shanley and Stockton's Wing main man, Mike Hanrahan, and many more.
This year’s festival features performers from countries across the continent, including Ireland, Germany, Scotland, Wales, England, Spain, France, Poland, Norway and Italy, promising a diverse range of acts for festival goers to enjoy.
Although the show is still in the works and only a preview will be shown at the festival, Citrus' The Machiavellian Matchmaking Masterclass is a standout performance Spraoi encourages everyone to make time for. Following two downbeat daters looking for love in a Chaplin-esque physical comedy Natasha Everitt and Martina Acosta Rama perform on Sunday, August 2.
Another highlight of this year's festival is the return of Jazzville Productions' 'The Most Dangerous Animal in the World'. Having performed at Spraoi three years ago and toured the world since, this street show explores courage, belonging and the cost of authenticity through comedy, music and dance.
Spraoi's headline spectacle is Sunday night's parade 'Howl', which has been in rehearsal for the last number of weeks.
Featuring dramatic floats, hordes of costumed performers, fire, light and special effects, the parade will weave through the city's medieval streets for what they expect to be over 35,000 spectators.
Inspired by the legacy of wolves in Irish history and mythology, this year's parade is "a biggie", said artistic director of Spraoi Mike Leahy, at the festival's programme launch at Garter Lane Theatre.
Speaking at the launch, Deputy Mayor of Waterford, Cllr Jim Darcy said: “In a sometimes-troubled world, Spraoi empowers us to have fun. Spraoi is Waterford’s annual gift of positive energy. More than just an event, it is a true expression of Waterford.”
