Greetings from Safe Harbour
Cork has one of its biggest weekends of the summer running from 26 May to 1 June 2026. The Cork Harbour Festival opens on Saturday, with over 100 events spreading across Cork City and the harbour towns through to 8 June. The Cork City Marathon takes over the streets on Sunday.
Rodrigo y Gabriela are at Cyprus Avenue on Wednesday night. Aslan play Sea Church in Ballycotton on Saturday. The Tina Turner tribute lands at Cork Opera House on Thursday. The Gig for Gaza at Cyprus Avenue on Wednesday evening. Kinsale Trad Fest opens for its second year on Sunday. And the Cork Harbour Festival, with its Ocean to City race and programme spanning Cobh, Crosshaven, Monkstown, Passage West, and Cork City, sets the tone for the whole weekend.
This is our pick of what's on this week. As always for a full event list check out the link at the bottom of the email.
Let's dive in 👇
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
Cork Harbour Festival 2026
Saturday 30 May to Sunday 8 June · Multiple venues across Cork City and harbour towns
What opens on Saturday is the start of something ten days long. The Ocean to City race marks the beginning of a programme running across Cobh, Crosshaven, Monkstown, Blackrock, Passage West, Fitzgerald's Park, Lapp's Quay, Crawford Art Gallery, and dozens of other locations. Over 100 events in total: on the water, on land, family-friendly, music, heritage, and environmental themes.
Rodrigo y Gabriela
Wednesday 27 May · 19:00 · Cyprus Avenue
Two guitars, Mexican by way of Dublin, and one of the most technically extraordinary acoustic shows you'll see this decade. Rodrigo Sanchez and Gabriela Quintero built their career playing Grafton Street before graduating to international stages and a Grammy for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album in 2020. Cyprus Avenue is the right size for this: close enough that you can watch the right hand. Book ahead.
Aslan at Sea Church, Ballycotton
Saturday 30 May · 20:00 · Sea Church, Ballycotton
Earlier this year Aslan performed "Crazy World" on the Croke Park stage with Coldplay, two nights, 82,300 people each night. Sea Church holds considerably fewer than that. The converted East Cork church overlooking Ballycotton Bay is one of the more unusual venues in Munster, and it suits the band's catalogue well. Worth the drive out the coast.
Gig For Gaza: Waveflyer, Nightdress, Ni Jackeen
Thursday 28 May · 19:00 · Cyprus Avenue
Three Cork acts on one bill raising money for Gaza. Waveflyer, Nightdress, and Ni Jackeen together is a strong Thursday night lineup. Good cause, good venue.
Ballydehob Country Music Festival 2026
Friday 29 May to Monday 1 June · Ballydehob
Four days of live country music in West Cork, including a staged Country Wedding and a full outdoor programme across the Bank Holiday weekend. Ballydehob is a small town with a big music tradition and this is its biggest weekend of the year. If country music is your thing, this is worth building a trip around.
Simply The Best: Tina Turner
Thursday 28 May · 20:00 · Cork Opera House
A tribute to the Tina Turner catalogue at Cork Opera House. The venue handles these productions well, and the catalogue is one of the more durable on the tribute circuit.
Kinsale Trad Fest 2026
Sunday 31 May · Various venues, Kinsale
In only its second year, Kinsale Trad Fest is already running a headline Main Event concert at The White Lady with Barry Tierney, Máire Ní Churraoin, Jennifer Leahy, Unity Irish Dance, and The Rising. Doors at 8pm for the headline show, with sessions, street music, workshops, and late-night moments running across the weekend in town. Kinsale on a Bank Holiday weekend with live trad is a reliable combination.
ELO Experience: Showdown
Sunday 31 May · 19:00 · Cyprus Avenue
The Electric Light Orchestra tribute act at Cyprus Avenue to close out the weekend. The ELO catalogue translates well to the live tribute format, and Cyprus Avenue is a reliable room for it.
DIVA
Tuesday 26 May · Cork Arts Theatre
A performance exploring identity and expression at Cork Arts Theatre on Carroll's Quay. Check the Cork Arts Theatre website for show times and ticket availability.
Cork PianoFest: Dances in the Gallery
Friday 29 May · 13:00 · Triskel Arts Centre
A lunchtime classical music concert at Triskel as part of Cork PianoFest 2026. The Triskel is one of Cork's better listening rooms. A good way to spend a Friday afternoon before the weekend accelerates.
The Perfumery Workshop
Thursday 28 May · 18:30 · 126 Oliver Plunkett Street
A hands-on session to create a bespoke perfume. Worth knowing about if you've ever wanted to understand what goes into a scent before wearing one.
Mockie Ah Drag Brunch
Saturday 30 May · 13:00 · Clancy's Cork
Bottomless drag brunch with Mockie Ah at Clancy's. This format has built a genuine following in Cork. Book ahead.
Saturday Sushi Workshop
Saturday 30 May · 18:00 · 11 Cook Street
A hands-on sushi-making class on a Saturday evening. Useful skills, well-timed on a bank holiday weekend when you might actually use what you've learned the next day.
Peppa Pig's Big Family Show
Tuesday 26 May · Various times · Cork Opera House
Peppa Pig live on stage at Cork Opera House across multiple showtimes. Short enough to hold attention, long enough to feel like an occasion. Check the Opera House website for specific times.
Adrenaline Arena: Motorcycle Trials Live
Saturday 30 May · Morning show 09:30 and afternoon show 15:00 · Marina Market
World-class motorcycle trials riders at the Marina Market in two separate shows. Bikes moving at walking pace over obstacles that look physically impossible: the kind of event that tends to produce involuntary gasps from people who had no idea they cared about trials riding.
Open Streets: The Resonant River
Sunday 31 May · 14:00 · Lapps Quay West
Part of Cork City's Open Streets series, with live music, free games, and creative activities along Lapps Quay West on Sunday afternoon. Free entry, no booking required.
Cork City Marathon
Sunday 31 May · Cork City
The 2026 marathon has its biggest route changes since 2007: the start and finish lines move from Patrick Street to Grand Parade, close to the City Library. The full 26.2 miles runs through the city and suburbs on a fast, flat course. The half marathon and 10k run on the same day. Road closures will affect parts of the city from early morning.
For a full overview of all events on this week in Cork check out our event listings page
UNTIL NEXT WEEK
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