Púca Festival 2026 Returns with Headliners Glen Hansard, The Coronas, Róisín O and More

Púca Festival unveils its first programme announcement for 2026, with Glen Hansard, The Coronas, and Róisín O leading a stellar line-up of Irish talent set to perform across four unforgettable days in County Meath this autumn.

Returning to the festival hubs of Trim and Athboy from Thursday 29th October to Sunday 1st November, Púca Festival 2026 will bring together music, comedy, storytelling, food, folklore and immersive experiences inspired by Ireland's ancient traditions, while celebrating the creativity and cultural talent that continue to shape modern Ireland.

This year's theme, Between Worlds, draws inspiration from the spirit of Samhain, a time of transition and transformation when the boundaries between old and new, light and dark, past and present were believed to blur. Through a vibrant programme of performances, workshops, ceremonies and experiences, audiences are invited to leave the everyday behind and step into something extraordinary. 

Sophie Champarnaud from Broken Theatre portraying 'The Guardian of the Veil"

PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS

Working in partnership with Irish artists, seanchaí storytellers and local communities, Púca Festival 2026 will present four days and nights of music, myth, folklore, fire, feasting and celebration across Ireland's Ancient East.

Headliner performances will take place under the Big Top in Trim across Halloween weekend, with tickets set to go on sale Friday 10 July at 10am. Artists confirmed to date include Glen Hansard, The Coronas, Róisín O, Hothouse Flowers, Jerry Fish, Qween and The Dublin Gospel Choir, John Colleary and Shane Daniel Byrne with additional programme announcements to follow in the coming weeks.

Beyond the headline performances, visitors can explore a rich programme of experiences inspired by storytelling, tradition and place. Returning are two signature festival moments, the Lighting of the Samhain Fire in Athboy and the Púca Procession in Trim. Festival highlights include Beyond the Veil: The Púca Trail, an immersive journey in search of otherworldly spirits; the spectacular Samhain Circus; traditional storytelling with Craicly Stories; guided Foraging Tours; Heritage Tours of Tlachtga (Hill of Ward); and the festival's largest-ever Harvest Market, showcasing local food, craft and produce. New for this year, the Tree Mythology, Ogham & Woodturning Experience invites visitors to uncover the folklore of Ireland's native trees, discover the ancient Ogham alphabet, and witness the traditional craft of woodturning brought to life through a live demonstration.

A dedicated programme of workshops will further bring this year's theme to life, offering visitors hands-on opportunities to explore the stories, customs and rituals associated with Samhain and Ireland's rich cultural heritage.

Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke TD said:

"I am pleased to announce the return of Púca Festival for 2026, a unique celebration of Ireland's Halloween heritage and the ancient tradition of Samhain. As the birthplace of Halloween, Ireland has a distinctive cultural story and Púca Festival plays an important role in bringing it to life for visitors from home and abroad.

Festivals and events like this make a valuable contribution to local communities and tourism businesses, supporting jobs, driving economic activity and encouraging visitors to explore regions across the country outside of the traditional tourism season. I welcome the strong partnership between Fáilte Ireland, Meath County Council, local communities and tourism businesses that continues to drive the success of Púca Festival."

Orla Carroll, Director of Product Development, Fáilte Ireland said:

"Púca Festival is a flagship Halloween festival that plays a central role in celebrating Ireland as the Home of Halloween. Rooted in the ancient tradition of Samhain, Púca brings together world-class entertainment, rich heritage and unforgettable visitor experiences in a truly unique way. This year's theme, ‘Between Worlds’, captures the essence of Samhain as a time of transformation, imagination and connection, while the programme of events showcases the very best of Irish music, storytelling and creativity.

Festivals like Púca play an important role in encouraging both domestic and international visitors to choose to visit Meath, supporting the regional spread of tourism while also extending the tourism season. We look forward to working once again with Meath County Council, local communities and tourism businesses to welcome visitors to Ireland's Ancient East this October."

Kieran Kehoe, Chief Executive, Meath County Council added:

"We are delighted to see Púca Festival continuing to grow and getting bigger and better every single year. Not only has it become a landmark cultural event for County Meath, but it has also become a source of great pride for our communities. Each year, the festival brings thousands of visitors to experience our vibrant towns and unique traditions, while creating both a national and international platform for local businesses, artists and communities to showcase what makes this region so special. This year's programme reflects both the depth of our rich, cultural heritage and the energy of contemporary Ireland, combining outstanding musical performances with immersive experiences inspired by the traditions and folklore associated with Samhain. We look forward to welcoming visitors to Trim and Athboy for another remarkable festival experience."

Martin Nolan, Festival Director, Púca Festival said:

"At the heart of Púca Festival is the idea of bringing people together through shared experiences that are rooted in story, place and imagination. 'Between Worlds' is a natural theme for 2026 because it reflects the essence of Samhain, a transformative moment when boundaries blur, perspectives shift and anything feels possible. This year's programme is our most ambitious and expansive yet. We've brought together some of Ireland's most celebrated performers alongside immersive experiences that invite audiences to explore folklore, creativity and tradition in new ways. Whether you're coming for the music, the storytelling, the spectacle or simply to experience something different, Púca 2026 promises moments that will stay with you long after the festival ends."

Developed by Fáilte Ireland in partnership with Meath County Council, Púca Festival celebrates Ireland as the birthplace of Halloween through a vibrant and contemporary festival experience rooted in the ancient customs of Samhain. 

Many more acts will be added to the line up over the coming weeks, and festivalgoers are advised to keep an eye on www.pucafestival.com and social channels for news and ticket updates. 

 *Púca Festival is subject to license.