Throughout the year several big festivals and events take place in and around Kilkenny which give you an additional reason to stay in this fabulous county. Below you will find an overview of the biggest festivals:
| May Bank Holiday | Rhythm and Roots Music festival in Kilkenny |
| May 22nd | National Drawing Day Kilkenny Castle |
| June Bank Holiday | Cat Laughs Comedy festival in Kilkenny |
| June – August | Ballykeeffe Amphitheatre Midsummer Events |
| August 6th-15th | Kilkenny Arts Festival; Marley Irish exhibition at the Kilkenny Hibernian Hotel from 1st -15th August. |
| August 9th | Irish Goldwing International Treffen in Gowran |
| August (Late) | National Heritage Week |
| September 17th-19th | Graiguenamanagh Town of Books Festival |
| October Bank Holiday | Savour Kilkenny Rockfall Festival: Music festival in Kilkenny The Irish Conker Championships, Freshford |
Besides the above festivals and events there are numerous sites to visit and activities to do in the county. To name two of the most popular ones: Follow the Arts and Crafts Trail which runs throughout the county or visit the St Francis Abbey Brewery in the city centre. Also the reptile village in Gowran and Discovery park in Castlecomer are frequently visited by locals and tourist old and young.
If you would like to know more about the history of Kilkenny, why not join the Tynan’s walking tour leaving from the Tourist Office every day in high season. It takes you to the most important sites in town and you will find out all about the history of the city. With the Kilkenny culture card which you will receive on check in, adults now get 20% of the tour as well as 20% off some of the heritage sites in town like St. Canices Cathedral, Rothe House Museum and of specific ranges in the arts and craft shops around the county. For any information, please contact our reception desk and we will be happy to help you plan your perfect stay.