On Sunday night, the curtain came down on a hugely successful Galway International Arts Festival as the team looks ahead to the landmark 50th edition in 2027. Across the city and county, Galway International Arts Festival 2026 presented 14 unforgettable days and nights of extraordinary arts experiences.
For the second year running, audiences exceeded 450,000 with a record breaking 472,000 attendances at GIAF 2026.
Thousands viewed Sean Henry's acclaimed exhibition, Presence, at the Festival Gallery. French company CPPP's spectacular The Whale Street drew tens of thousands of people out on to the streets as its giant whale and ship, inspired by Moby Dick, made their way through Galway city from Eyre Square to the Spanish Arch.
Once again, packed audiences filled the Heineken® Big Top at Fisheries Field for an outstanding programme of international and Irish music. Highlights included unforgettable performances from Patti Smith Quartet, Sophie Ellis-Bextor with special guest Kate Nash, James, The Saw Doctors and The Flaming Lips with special guests Mercury Rev. Emeli Sandé and James Morrison shared the stage for a special double-bill, while Bell X1, Block Rockin' Beats and Cian Ducrot also delivered memorable Festival performances.
GIAF 2026 presented six world premiere theatre and opera productions, including Irish National Opera's Testament by Tarik O’Regan and Colm Tóibín, which opened during the Festival's closing weekend, alongside a series of Festival commissions that continue GIAF's longstanding commitment to supporting artists in creating ambitious new work.
Reflecting the Festival's role as a launchpad for new Irish work, Fishamble’s For Dolores, by Eva O’Connor, which premiered during the first week of GIAF, now travels directly to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, where it opens at the Traverse Theatre for a month-long run throughout August.
NoFit State's spectacular new circus production Carnation captivated audiences throughout the Festival's two-week run in the fully seated NoFit State Big Top at Nimmo's Pier, while 50 dancers took to the stage in Stephanie Lake Company's breathtaking Colossus at the Black Box Theatre.
The First Thought Talks series, presented with the University of Galway, brought together leading thinkers, artists and commentators in compelling conversations exploring creativity and some of the defining issues of our time. Topics ranged from the wars in Ukraine, Gaza and the Middle East, Irish neutrality and the impact of Donald Trump's presidency on America in 2026, to artificial intelligence, Irish history, climate change, retrofitting our homes, creative collaborations and the enduring power of song.
The Festival also continued its commitment to sustainability and accessibility, while providing a platform for dialogue, diverse voices and shared cultural experiences across communities.
Galway International Arts Festival Chief Executive John Crumlish said:
“This has been one of our most successful Festivals to date and I would like to thank everyone for making that possible. It was an absolute privilege to present this programme and we hope all the artists involved and all the audiences that attended enjoyed their time here with us. We now look to next year and our 50th anniversary Festival.”
Artistic Director Paul Fahy said:
"What makes Galway International Arts Festival so special is the connection between artists, audiences and the city itself. This year we've seen people discover new work, celebrate world-class performances and create memories that will stay with them long after the Festival has ended. I'd like to thank every artist, audience member, colleague, volunteer, partner and supporter who helped make GIAF 2026 such a remarkable Festival. We're excited now to turn our attention to an especially significant milestone - the 50th Galway International Arts Festival in 2027."
The 50th Galway International Arts Festival will take place from 12-25th July 2027.
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Galway International Arts Festival would like to acknowledge the support of its principal funding agencies, the Arts Council and Fáilte Ireland; its Drinks Partner, Heineken®; and its Education Partner, University of Galway.
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