RIVERFEST returns to Limerick this May Bank Holiday weekend with four days of family fun on Shannonside.
Limerick City and County Council is encouraging all to take part from Friday May 1 to Monday May 4.
Riverfest 2026 is set to transform Limerick City into a giant outdoor playground over the May Bank Holiday weekend, with entertainment, activities, live performances, maritime merriment, the Great Limerick Run, and a spectacular fireworks display.
Also returning this year is the Riverfestival Village at Arthur’s Quay Park, which will be open daily across the long weekend.
There will also be thrills on spills on the river with kayaking, dragon boats, fishing, and swimming events, and to kick off the weekend.
FashionFest returns to Gardens International with an evening of emerging design talent and a spectacular runway show curated by the Holman Lee Agency, in collaboration with LSAD and Austin Community College in Austin, Texas, led by ACC Fashion Incubator director Nina Means.
Also included throughout the weekend is a Fidget Feet aerial performance, HYROX at O’Brien Park, and the Riverfest Music Trail.
The Riverfest fireworks display will wrap up the weekend on Sunday, May 3.
The Riverfest weekend coincides with major concerts at King John’s Castle, as Dolans presents synth pop’s first international superstars, The Human League, on May 2 while Hermitage Green will celebrate 15 years with a special hometown concert on May 3, as part of a packed programme of live music and late-night events across Limerick City,
The Regeneron Great Limerick Run on Sunday May 3 will draw thousands into the city for the marathon, half marathon, and six-mile races.
Mayor of Limerick John Moran is inviting people from near and far to attend, saying: “Limerick really does own the May Bank Holiday weekend. Riverfest Limerick encompasses everything we’re moving towards in terms of Limerick’s future – vibrant, inclusive, and outward looking, and of course a welcome boost to our city centre retailers.”
“It is all about providing opportunities for people to come together and create moments that families, groups of friends, and even groups of strangers will enjoy long after the festival has ended. I’m looking forward to seeing our city alive with energy once again over the May Bank Holiday weekend.”
A number of road closures and diversions will be in place throughout the weekend, with Limerick Council issuing a notice of temporary road closures.
A number of streets and quays across the city will be closed to vehicular traffic and parking at specified times. Closures apply across multiple city centre locations. Local diversions will operate.
The Great Limerick Run on Sunday 3 May will also be supported through planned race-related road closures.
Full road closure and traffic diversion details on Limerick.ie A full line-up of events for Riverfest 2026 can also be found on Limerick.ie.