Experience the best events in Galway - completely free! Explore This is Galway's Ultimate Budget-Friendly Events Guide and never miss out on top happenings without spending a cent.
Please note: This article will be updated as events take place meaning that this article can be your go-to no matter the day of week or time of year. For Galway’s full events calendar, visit thisisgalway.ie.
Family: Silent Saturday
When: September 26th, 10am-12pm
Where: Galway City Museum
More information here
Silent Saturdays are sensory-friendly mornings at Galway City Museum, designed to offer a calmer and more comfortable visit for neurodivergent visitors, people with sensory differences, and anyone who would benefit from a quieter environment. These sessions take place on the last Saturday of each month. They run from 10am to 12pm. During this time, sound levels throughout the building are reduced or turned off where possible, large groups visits are discouraged, and the Education Room on Level 2 is available as a designated Quiet Space.
Shop: Galway Indoor Market
When: September 26th, October 24th, 11am - 5pm
Where: The Cornstore
More information here
Outset Design welcomes you back to the Cornstore this Autumn for a diverse range of stalls that showcase the best of Vintage, Retro, Secondhand & Hand Made from Independent Businesses and Creative Individuals from Galway & beyond with live music from local musicians. Expect to discover new and retro vinyl, clothing, jewellery, furniture, crafts, originals art & botany. This is the perfect opportunity to select handcrafted & unique pieces from independent creatives, ideal for gifting loved ones too.
Literature: Louise Kennedy in Conversation with Sarah Kenny
When: September 26th, at 3pm
Where: Kennys Bookshop
More information here
Award-winning Irish author Louise Kennedy will be at Kennys Bookshop on September 26th, joining Sarah Kenny in conversation about Stations, her new novel. Stations is a devastating story of love and friendship, and a tender portrait of the choices we blithely make when we are young, unaware that the consequences will reverberate throughout our lives. Signed copies of the book will be available on the night.
Sport: Be Active Night 2k & 1k Colour Run
When: September 26th, from 6pm
Where: Ladies Beach, Salthill
More information here
Come join Galway Sports Partnership for an exciting night filled with vibrant colors and fun at Ladies Beach! Get ready to run, walk, or dance your way while being splashed with colourful powders. This event is perfect for all ages and fitness levels, so bring your friends and family along for a memorable evening. Don’t miss out on this unique experience – sign up now and let’s light up the night together!
Nature: Farm Forestry Action Open Day
When: September 27th, 10am-5pm
Where: Slieve Aughty Centre
More information here
Join Slieve Aughty Centre for a practical day exploring the many ways trees can be integrated into a working farm — from producing valuable timber and firewood to fruit, nuts, mushrooms, honey, livestock shelter and biodiversity. The emphasis is on practical experience and discussion rather than classroom presentations. Come along to see what is being done, ask questions and explore the opportunities and challenges of incorporating trees into a working farm. For a full list of the practical demonstrations and guided walks that will take place on the day, please see the above link for more information.
Film: Little Cinema & Galway City Film present 48 Hour Challenge
When: September 27th, 7pm
Where: Town Hall Theatre
More information here
The Little Cinema & Galway City of Film present their 10th 48 Hour Challenge: an evening of 5-minute films, all made in Galway City and County, and all written, shot and edited within just 48 Hours! The 10 filmmaking teams involved must adhere to strict criteria in their films, which they only learn about at the start of the Challenge! All films will be introduced by their teams on stage! Tickets are FREE but limited & will be released in the lead-up to the event on thelittlecinema.com.
Outdoors: Dips for Health
When: October 1st, at 12.30pm
Where: Ladies Beach
More information here
Looking to boost your mood, meet new people, and feel more connected? Join Dips for Health for a free sociable sea dip between 12.30pm and 1.30pm. Come along at 12.30pm or 1pm for a group dip, or simply arrive anytime in between to dip at your own pace. No pressure, just connection, community, and the sea Refreshments provided! Everyone is welcome, whether you’re new to sea dipping or a regular by the shore. Come for the dip, stay for the community!
Workshop: Lasta Festival & Al Bellamy Presents Access Workshop
When: October 1st, at 3pm
Where: Town Hall Bar
More information here
This workshop will explore theatre-makers as creative forces in implementing disability inclusion throughout theatrical work. There will be a talk on a Methodology for Disability Inclusive Practice, with practical workshop interludes that invite practitioners to collaborate on how we access theatre and explore the creative ways in which access can be implemented from the very beginning of a project.
Workshop: Lasta Festival presents a Writing Workshop with Natasha Nolan
When: October 3rd, at 11.30am
Where: Town Hall Bar
More information here
Natasha Nolan is a theatre-maker and writer based in Galway City. She is the founder of a local theatre company, Are Ya Well? Productions, with its debut play this November in the Town Hall Theatre. She has developed a small workshop in order for writers to be able to hear work aloud, off the page, and get useful feedback on their writing. She promotes a nurturing and structured environment; only three questions are asked about the writing; all to allow the writer to understand how their piece may be perceived and give ideas of where to go next. The writer is then invited to ask a question to the group. This current structure is used for a Writing Group that is run with UpStage Players in Claremorris. It has gone on to a monthly workshop, and a key workshop for many local writers.
Literature: Louise O'Neill in Conversation with Catherine Doyle
When: October 7th, at 6pm
Where: Kennys Bookshop
More information here
Award-winning Irish author Louise O'Neill will be at Kennys Bookshop on October 7th, joining author Catherine Doyle in conversation about A Bigger Life, her upcoming memoir. Louise O’Neill is a bestselling author from Clonakilty, West Cork. Her debut novel, Only Ever Yours, won multiple awards including the Sunday Independent Newcomer of the Year and the inaugural YA Book Prize. Her second novel, Asking For It, spent 52 consecutive weeks in the Irish top 10 and was awarded the Michael L Printz honour by the American Library Association. She has since published The Surface Breaks, a feminist retelling of The Little Mermaid, which was shortlisted for the Specsavers National Book Awards, and four novels for adults: Almost Love, After the Silence — named Crime Novel of the Year at the Irish Book Awards 2020 — Idol, which went straight into the Irish book charts at #1 and Whatever Happened to Madeline Stone? A Bigger Life is her first memoir.
Literature: Dara Molloy in Conversation with Tom Kenny
When: October 13th, at 6pm
Where: Kennys Bookshop
More information here
Celtic Monk and author Dara Molloy will be at Kennys Bookshop on October 13th, joining Tom Kenny in conversation about his new book, The Celtic Way. The Celtic Way is a revelatory journey into Ireland’s ancient spiritual soul. The book blends memoir, myth and scholarship to illuminate a vibrant spiritual tradition rooted in nature, community and a worldview far broader than the Christianity that later overshadowed it. Molloy explores Ireland’s pre‑Christian mythologies, the Brehon Laws and the sacred presence of trees, animals, wells, stones and seasons. He also traces the evolution of an Irish Christianity shaped not by conquest but by storytelling – a non‑authoritarian, mystical and nature‑centred tradition that produced wandering monks, illuminated manuscripts and a cultural flourishing that helped revitalise Europe.
Talks: Galway Green Drinks
When: October 13th, at 6.30pm
Where: Screene's on the Square
More information here
Green Drinks is a fun gathering for anyone working, volunteering, studying or just interested in environmental issues. Join them for networking, info, gossip, or just for the craic about all things “green”! They’ll be in the big room upstairs. This month they’ll be joined by Paris Weavers to discuss the effect of a warming climate on our ocean’s jellyfish. As climate change warms our oceans, marine ecosystems and their species are being profoundly affected, including jellyfish. There is a widespread perception that warming seas directly promote jellyfish blooms and overall population growth, but is this really the case? This talk will explore the evidence on how rising ocean temperatures are affecting jellyfish populations, examining the factors that drive their abundance and distribution. Ultimately, they will ask whether jellyfish truly stand to benefit from a warming ocean, or whether the reality is far more complicated.
Book Signing: The World of Oliver Jeffers Tour - SOLD OUT
When: November 8th, at 12pm
Where: Kennys Bookshop
More information here
Come and meet award-winning author and artist, Oliver Jeffers at Kennys for a book signing of his books, which will include his brand new children’s book A Day Off School and the new paperback edition of There’s a Ghost in This House. A free art print will be gifted with either of those two books bought on the day! Copies of A Day Off School and There’s a Ghost in This House will be available to buy at Kennys Bookshop on the day, along with many of his other books! If you require multiple tickets please ensure you book as a group so that each individual is registered and assigned a ticket. All are welcome!
Feature photo by Chaosheng Zhang
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