Waterford festivals and arts set to receive millions in funding in 2026
Spraoi has been allocated €82,680 from Waterford City and County Council, and €450,000 in Arts Council funding. Photo: Joe Evans
€1,692,469 will be allocated to 72 festivals across Waterford in 2026, with 10 new festivals set to receive funding.
The funding represents a €20,000 boost from 2025.
Winterval (€350,466), Harvest Festival (€124,796), Spraoi (€82,680) and Waterford Music Generation (€80,000) stand out as some of the most heavily-funded festivals.
The GAA World Games, which will take place at SETU in mid-July, received €50,000.
An American-style ‘block party’ will be one of the new festivals held in Waterford, alongside a community festival in Ballysaggart and a 'Senior Citizens’ Christmas Party in Lismore.
“This allocation will give Waterford’s already much-loved and established festivals the opportunity to continue to entertain and enthrall, while new festivals will get a welcome boost to debut in Waterford, provide new artistic experiences and reach new audiences,” said Mayor of Waterford City and County Seamus Ryan.
“Waterford has a long and proud tradition of festivals, art and culture and this allocation assures that artists, creatives, musicians and festival programmers can continue to bring an eclectic range of entertainment to venues throughout the city and county, throughout the year.”
Waterford council’s Director of Services Claire Harley said: “Year on year, Waterford has grown its festival programme to what is now a year-round offering.
“From the most recent Winterval festival, which drew in excess of one million visitors to Waterford, and the renowned international street theatre festival, Spraoi, to the smaller, niche festivals, the calendar is bookended with over 70 events that have an appeal to all ages and all tastes.”
20 arts projects in Waterford are also set to receive a sizeable funding injection directly from the Arts Council.
Spraoi (€450,000), Garter Lane (€307,000), Réalta (€220,000) and Theatre Lovett (€205,000) will receive the highest levels of funding.
Once-off productions across Waterford will receive €410,000.
A further €100,000 will be allocated by Waterford council towards playwrights and producers, amateur/voluntary arts, screenwriters and producers, rural arts and professional projects.
