Summer Starts in Howth with the Maritime & Seafood Festival

The much-loved Howth Maritime & Seafood Festival returns this year with an exciting new summer slot, taking place on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 May, moving from its traditional September slot to kick off the start of the summer events calendar and offering a better chance of fine weather to set the scene.

Running daily from 12pm to 6pm, along Howth promenade and harbour, the festival celebrates the town’s rich maritime heritage with a packed programme of seafood experiences, live entertainment, and family-friendly activities.

The Howth Maritime Festival 2026 is excited to announce that Tesco is proudly supporting the event this year! You'll find the dedicated Tesco area nestled within the seafood village, where a fantastic retro food truck will be serving up delicious, bite-sized snacks for free. It's the perfect way to soak up the vibrant atmosphere and discover even more wonderful things to enjoy throughout the weekend.

Mayor of Fingal County Council, Tom O’Leary said: “I’m delighted to have the Howth Maritime & Seafood Festival kicking off our busy programme of summer events. It is always a highlight of the Fingal social calendar and provides an opportunity for residents and visitors to come together and enjoy the unique character and charm of our coastal town, with its bustling harbour, fresh seafood, and spectacular coastal views.”

This year’s festival will see the introduction of some fantastic new highlights, including a live food stage hosted by the brilliant Erica Drum! Get ready for interactive cooking workshops especially for the kids, and watch local chefs showcase the very best of the region's incredible produce.

The music stage promises a jam-packed schedule of live music, entertainment, fun interactive workshops, and so much more to keep your feet tapping! Plus, the circus is back on the east pier with a thrilling programme full of nautical-themed theatrics and awe-inspiring performances!

And as you wander around enjoying all the festival has to offer, don't forget to keep a look out for Howth’s very own giant, magnificent whale!

Howth’s renowned food scene will be at the heart of the weekend, with plenty of local restaurants to enjoy in the local area. A bustling marketplace of artisan food and craft stalls will line the promenade, offering locally produced delicacies and handmade goods, an ideal opportunity to support local businesses and makers.

The event is designed with families at its heart, offering a wide range of free activities and attractions for children, including inflatable games and circus-style entertainment. Creative workshops will also take place across the weekend, and visitors can enjoy exciting water sports activities, adding a sense of adventure to the weekend. Alongside quieter, relaxed spaces for those who may need time away from the hustle and bustle. Fingal’s mobile library will be onsite, and a dedicated sensory and quiet area, supported by the Howth Sutton Autism Community, will be available throughout the event.

Visitors can explore marine life up close at the Howth Sea Angling Club, where interactive displays and exhibitions will showcase a variety of species. All marine life will be managed responsibly and returned safely to their natural habitats after the event. The club will also host face painting, guest speakers across the weekend and a photographic exhibition celebrating the club’s history and community spirit.

Brand new for 2026, Maritime by Night brings Howth to life after dark, delivering an exciting programme of evening entertainment as part of the Howth Maritime & Seafood Festival. With many gigs free to attend, visitors are encouraged to move from venue to venue, experiencing live music across Howth’s pubs, cultural spaces and stunning coastal settings, with headliners including The Wren, Havana Roots, Luka Bloom and Kíla. For full details visit: https://howthmaritimebynight.ie

To support sustainability and ease congestion, attendees are encouraged to travel by public transport, with the DART station located beside the main festival area. Bicycle parking will be available, along with additional car parking at Deer Park, just a short walk from the promenade.

For more information, please visit: https://www.eventsinfingal.ie/howth-maritime-festival