The fest is yet to come!

It’s 2024 and that means we have a whole new year of festivals and events to look forward to here in Cork and beyond.

So, we’ve put together a list of just some of the best on the menu so you can start planning your festival-going calendar for the year ahead.

All year: Island City - Cork’s Urban Sculpture Trail, Cork city

Take a stroll through our beautiful city and check out the stunning new Island City: Cork’s Urban Sculpture Trail, which only just launched in December. Illuminating the city’s heritage in an arresting, intriguing, and playful way, the unique cultural trail of five public artworks reinvigorates public spaces for locals and visitors alike.

19-21 April: West Waterford Festival of Food, Dungarvan Co. Waterford

Just over the border, the West Waterford Festival of Food has been a showcase of the food of the region, as well as being host to some of the country's top chefs, fresh flavours, interesting influences, and good ideas. This is one festival where there is definitely something for everyone - a full children’s programme, foraging trails, bus tours, cooking demos, dining experiences from high end to very casual. See westwaterfordfestivaloffood.com.

1-5 May: Cork International Choral Festival

As one of Europe’s premier international choral festivals, Cork International Choral Festival is noted for its high standards, eclectic and wide-ranging programme, and the friendliness of its welcome. The event has been held annually in venues across the city, centring around the City Hall, since 1954. Cork will again welcome visitors and choirs from across Ireland and the world for a programme of gala concerts, schools concerts, national and international competitions, and world-class performances. See corkchoral.ie.

27 May - 3 June: Blackwater Valley Opera Festival, Waterford and Cork

Experience an exhilarating week of opera, classical music recitals, concerts, free events, pop up events, dining, and more at incredible homes and stunning historic venues throughout the Blackwater Valley. This year’s highlight will be four performances of GF Handel’s ‘Giulio Cesare’ in the grounds of Lismore Castle, Co. Waterford. Also don’t miss the 2024 festival finale, an Antonio Vivaldi concert with the Irish Baroque Orchestra and Nicholas McGegan. Free Blackwater Valley Opera Festival open air lunchtime recitals will bring the magic to local communities in Youghal and Castlemartyr in Cork for the very first time. See blackwatervalleyopera.ie.

June – dates to be confirmed: Cork Carnival of Science, Cork city

Ireland’s largest outdoor science engagement event, Cork Carnival of Science, takes place at Cork City’s Fitzgerald Park featuring more than 50 exhibitors and live science shows, offering non-stop, family-friendly experiments, interactive activities, games, street cuisine and a packed line-up of live entertainment all with a science or STEM theme. See corkcity.ie/en/cork-carnival-of-science.

15-19 July: Volvo Cork Week, Cork

Preparations for the 2024 edition of Volvo Cork Week in partnership with Johnson and Perrott are already well underway! The bi-annual Volvo Cork Week makes for an unrivalled spectacle in Cork Harbour with a carnival atmosphere descending on Crosshaven and nearby coastal villages. This legendary week of yacht racing has always attracted a large number of national and international entries since its inception and the famed warm welcome and unparalleled entertainment has prompted entries to return from afar. If you are a sailing enthusiast or just want to catch a glimpse of exciting maritime action, this one’s for you! For more see corkweek.ie.

14-18 August: Cork on a Fork Fest, Cork city

Cork on a Fork Fest is the perfect opportunity to get a taste of Cork’s food culture as the city showcases its culinary excellence, unique dining experiences, and quality local produce over five days of incredible food, unique events, talks, demos, and festival fun. Visitors will hear about the city’s fascinating food history and food future, and sample incredible food from the region’s growers and producers, all while enjoying a host of exclusive dining and entertainment experiences in this authentic and multicultural food destination. For more see corkcity.ie/cork-on-a-fork-fest.

25-28 October: Guinness Cork Jazz Festival, Cork

Ireland’s biggest and longest established jazz event has taken place annually since 1978. Each year the festival attracts hundreds of musicians and many thousands of music fans to the city for a feast of jazz of all kinds. You can expect a stellar line-up of Irish and international musicians and emerging talent who are pushing the boundaries of the genre. Add to that pop-up events, late night parties, boat trips, collaborations and brass bands marching through the city streets, and you can see why it's one of Ireland's most popular festivals. For more see guinnesscorkjazz.com.