Looking for things to do in Galway this weekend? We've got you covered! From festivals to special anniversaries, live entertainment to family-friendly events, there really is something happening to suit everybody in Galway this weekend. Check out our ultimate guide to the best events happening in Galway this weekend and start planning your perfect getaway!
Baboró International Arts Festival for Children
When: Running from Friday, October 9th
Where: Galway City
More information here
For decades, Baboró International Arts Festival for Children has been bringing theatre, dance, music, circus, literature and art to young audiences across Galway, and this year, the much-loved festival is celebrating its 30th anniversary. This milestone year promises more than 60 arts experiences, with artists and performers travelling from Ireland and across Europe. Alongside family performances, the programme includes dedicated events for schools, helping to ensure that as many children as possible can experience high-quality live arts. The festival also features performances for children with additional needs, creative workshops, art exhibitions, free pop-up events and even a number of events for adults. Click the link above to see the full programme.
Sustainable Living Skills Day
When: Sunday, October 11th, from 9.45am
Where: Brigit’s Garden
More information here
Visit Brigit’s Garden this Sunday for a day of creative, inspiring and practical hands-on skill building that helps us all live more sustainably – each taught by expert tutors. Workshops include; Willow Basket Weaving with Thomas Delaney, Dry Stone Wall Building with Fergus Packman, Living Willow Structures with Maria Buitenhuis, Autumn Foraging with Olwyn Williams, Natural Fibre Cordage with Carol Barrett and Growing Native Trees from Seed with Saul Mosbacher. Early booking for all workshops is advised.
Coffee Concert
When: Saturday, October 10th, at 11am
Where: St Nicholas Collegiate Church
More information here
This Saturday, take a break from your Galway Market meanderings and call into St Nicolas Collegiate Church for their Coffee Concert. For €10 (payable at door), you’ll enjoy beautiful live music from Michael Shields on harpsichord, in addition to tea/coffee and baked goods. All funds raised will go toward supporting St Nicholas’ Schola Cantorum.
Spanish Vegan and Vegetarian - Cooking Class
When: Sunday, October 11th, 10am-5pm
Where: Aniar
More information here
Discover the rich tradition of plant-forward Spanish cooking in this vibrant class at Aniar with Jp McMahon. Long before “plant-based” became a trend, Spanish kitchens relied on vegetables, pulses, grains, olive oil, and herbs to create deeply satisfying food. Learn to prepare dishes such as patatas bravas, chickpea and spinach, grilled vegetables with romesco, pan con tomate, and seasonal tapas inspired by regional cooking. The focus is on simplicity, technique, and flavour allowing great produce to shine. A colourful, generous approach to Spanish cooking that proves vegetables can be the centre of the table.
Restoration, Resilience & Renewal
When: Saturday, October 10th, 11am-4pm
Where: Kylemore Abbey
More information here
Kylemore Abbey is marking 25 years since the restoration of its spectacular Victorian Walled Garden with a special one-day event exploring the past, present and future of historic gardens. This Saturday, Restoration, Resilience & Renewal, taking place at Fordham Hall, Kylemore Abbey, will bring together leading voices in horticulture, landscape heritage and garden stewardship to celebrate 150 years of gardening at Kylemore and consider how historic gardens can remain resilient and relevant for future generations. The event will include; a keynote from Anja Gohlke, Head Gardener, an all-female panel bringing together extensive experience in horticulture, landscape architecture, heritage and garden restoration, as well as a guided Restoration Walk. This event is free however places are limited so booking is highly recommended.
Fast & Fiction - Speed Friending Book Swap Event
When: Sunday, October 11th, at 2.30pm
Where: Monroe’s
More information here
Happy You’re Here is heading to Galway this weekend and they are bringing something really special with them for their very first event in the city. Part book club, part speed friending, part something they’ll keep as a surprise for the night. Come with a book you’ve loved, move around the room, talk about books with people you’ve never met, and leave with a brand-new read just in time for change of season. All you need to bring is a book you love and are ready to give away. Everything else unfolds on the day and they genuinely cannot wait for you to experience it. A free drink is included on arrival (beer, wine or soft drink) and there is a full bar and food available to order throughout the afternoon too. Come for the books, stay for the craic!
Cafe Lates - Ferdia’s Big Irish Quiz Night
When: Thursday, October 8th, at 6.30pm
Where: Plámás
More information here
Gather your smartest friends (or your funniest ones!) and join Ferdia of Plámás for a proper Irish quiz night packed with great questions, friendly competition, and plenty of laughs. From pop culture to local knowledge and everything in between, expect a lively evening, excellent coffee, and a brilliant excuse to spend a night with your community. Café Lates is a Galway City Council Night-Time Economy initiative supporting businesses to trial later openings, bringing a fresh and vibrant energy to Galway’s evenings. Funded by Galway City Council and the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport.
Life Support - Film with Q&A
When: Thursday, October 8th, at 8pm
Where: Town Hall Theatre
More information here
Steps 4 Peace and Pilgrims for Palestine are screening the film Life Support alongside a very special Q&A. Life Support is a compelling documentary viewed through the lens of the incredible healthcare workers volunteering in Gaza. The Q&A will be held directly after the screening with Dr Victoria Rose, Professor Nick Maynard and hosted by Professor Afif El Khuffash. Since October 2023, Gaza has been sealed from the world-except for one group, international doctors. While global media are barred from reporting and governments look away, doctors breach the blockade and what they find is not just a humanitarian crisis, but a calculated dismantling of life itself. Covering the entire two years of the genocide, their firsthand accounts and visceral footage offer a rare and vital chronicle of the daily struggles of healthcare workers as they navigate bombed-out hospitals, dwindling supplies, starvation and the overwhelming influx of casualties- predominantly women and children.
Red Line Comedy Club
When: Thursday, October 8th, doors at 8pm
Where: Upstairs in Busker Brownes
More information here
This month’s Red Line Comedy Club returns this Thursday with another brilliant night of Irish comedy! Headlining the night is one of Ireland’s top comedy performers, Fred Cooke — Irish comedy star and the announcer on The Tommy Tiernan Show. Guiding you through the madness is MC Enda Whitney, Red Line co-founder and Longford poster-boy! Joining Fred on the hilarious lineup are Seán Ryan, Ken Lindsay, Cathal Shanagher and Amy Ryan. The fun doesn’t stop when the comedy does as there is free live music downstairs after the show. Come along for a night of laughs, great craic and live entertainment at Red Line Comedy Club.
Climate Cocktail Club: Rise of the Wavemakers
When: Friday, October 9th, at 6pm
Where: Sult Bar, University of Galway
More information here
Join the Climate Cocktail Club for an evening of conversation, connection and live music. Hosted in partnership with the Ryan Institute as the official evening reception for the Galway Atlantic Ocean Summit 2026, the event will bring together voices from ocean science, policy, business and coastal communities to explore how we can build greater resilience and cooperation across the Atlantic. Expect straight-talking conversations, new connections and practical ideas for creating a more resilient future for our oceans and coastal communities. The evening will also mark the official inauguration of the Galway Collective Chapter, with live music from The Westaways, Sailhymn and Sharpie. Speakers include David Scanlon, Jessamyn Fairfield, Jan-Stefan Fritz, Margaret O’Gorman, Liam M. Carr, Karin Dubsky, Katie Seaberg and Javier Santoyo.
The Wran
When: Sunday, October 11th, at 8pm
Where: Róisín Dubh
More information here
After an explosive live debut in 2025, including accoladed performances at Glastonbury, Green Man, All Together Now, and Electric Picnic, The Wran went on to support The Scratch and Kíla, play Dublin’s Notable NYD festival, and sell out their first Irish tour. Beginning 2026 with a sold-out UK tour, The Wran are fast establishing themselves as one of Ireland’s most vital new bands. Drawing inspiration from Planxty, The Pogues and Lankum, The Wran combines traditional and modern instrumentation, including banjo, harmonium, acoustic guitar, bass VI and drums. They bring a fresh voice to Irish music, blending trad with punk and a hint of psychedelia to create music that feels both timeless and new.
above: The Wran photo by Celeste Burdon
EAFFI Discoveries: Human Resource
When: Thursday, October 8th, at 7pm
Where: EYE Cinema
More information here
Showing as part of the East Asia Film Festival Discoveries programme in its original language (Thai) with English subtitles. Human Resource follows Fren, a Bangkok HR manager, who spends her days interviewing young hires for a hostile corporate company, while secretly pregnant and uncertain about motherhood. With Thai law allowing abortion only within the first twelve weeks, she must decide whether to continue the pregnancy, all while hiding it from her status-obsessed husband, Thame. Her dilemma mirrors a deeper question: whether to bring a child into an increasingly competitive society. Thamrongrattanarit’s atmospheric drama views modern Thai society and office life through a chilly, dystopian lens, asking whether money, education, or status matter when people are reduced to mere “resources”.
These Charming Men
When: Saturday, October 10th, at 8.30pm
Where: Róisín Dubh
More information here
Formed in 1995, These Charming Men are well known as being the premier Smiths and Morrissey tribute act around. These Charming Men have toured extensively from Europe, to the USA and Japan, where they replaced Morrissey at the Fuji Rock Festival after he pulled out. Yes, they are that good. If you want a realistic and faithful representation of the spirit and music of the Smiths or Morrissey, These Charming Men are your only option. Accept no (other) substitutes!
Feature photo by Chaosheng Zhang.
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