Galway Uke Fest officially opens today, with organisers promising the biggest and most ambitious festival in the event's seven-year history. The four-day celebration of ukulele music, community and creativity will once again bring performers and visitors from across Ireland and beyond to Galway City.
At the heart of the festival is a significantly expanded Festival Hub in Fr. Burke Park in Galway’s West End, creating a central gathering place for festival-goers throughout the weekend. New for 2026, the Hub will feature a dedicated Festival Market, a larger Festival Bar, free live entertainment, play-alongs, food vendors and community activities. The Festival Hub is free for everyone to enter, whether attending ticketed events or simply looking to soak up the atmosphere.
Festival Director Gerry Savage said that one of the things that has always made Galway Uke Fest special is the way the festival spills out into venues and pubs across the city, and that is something it will never lose.
"Our Festival Clubs and venue partners remain a huge part of the weekend. However, as the festival has grown year on year, capacity has become a challenge. The Festival Hub has given us the space to bring more of the programme together while still maintaining that city-wide feel. Now in its second year, it's fantastic to have a central home for the festival where people can gather, enjoy free performances, visit the market, take part in play-alongs and spend the day immersed in the atmosphere. It has really helped us create a stronger festival experience while allowing the event to continue growing."
The 2026 programme combines concerts, workshops, competitions and free performances across the city. Festival favourites including the Golden Uke Competition, Festival Clubs, open mics and community play-alongs all return, alongside the launch of the new Amble-lele, an evolution of the festival's much-loved flashmob.
The Amble-lele will see hundreds of ukulele players make their way through Galway's Latin Quarter in a moving celebration of music and community, creating one of the most visible and distinctive moments of the festival weekend.
This year's concert programme features an impressive line-up of artists including Charlie McGettigan, The Henry Girls, Ukulele Simon, Marc Gallagher, Southern Beauty, Ukulele Simon, Noriana Kennedy with Mad Uncle Harry, and many more performers from Ireland and abroad.
Concerts
One of the highlights of the opening night will be a special album launch and reunion performance from Noriana Kennedy and Mad Uncle Harry. Long-time favourites among Galway audiences, the group will reunite for the first time onstage in 14 years to celebrate the release of their new album in what promises to be a memorable and emotional opening concert. Blending traditional Irish influences with folk, roots and ukulele-driven arrangements, the performance offers festival-goers the rare opportunity to experience new material alongside much-loved songs, making it a fitting and exciting way to officially open Galway Uke Fest 2026.
The festival's headline concerts on Friday and Saturday showcase an outstanding line-up of artists from across the folk, roots and ukulele worlds. Friday night features internationally respected ukulele performer Marc Gallagher alongside Southern Beauty, fronted by Alison Wheeler, former lead vocalist of The Beautiful South. Audiences can expect an evening of exceptional musicianship, inventive arrangements and memorable performances. On Saturday, Eurovision winner Charlie McGettigan brings his distinctive songwriting and storytelling to the Festival Tent, while acclaimed Donegal trio The Henry Girls will captivate audiences with their celebrated harmonies and rich blend of traditional and contemporary folk influences. Together, the two concerts represent some of the strongest programming in the festival's history.
Sunday afternoon sees a very special performance from Ukulele Simon, best known for his high-energy festival appearances and crowd-pleasing workshops. For Galway Uke Fest 2026, Simon will present a dedicated family concert that showcases a different side of his musical talents. Joined by students from St Patrick's National School and special guests, Nursery Rhymes combines ukulele, live looping, beatboxing and audience participation in a fun, interactive show designed for children and families. The concert marks a unique addition to this year's programme and offers audiences the chance to experience one of the festival's most popular performers in an entirely new format.
Workshops
The workshop programme remains one of the cornerstones of Galway Uke Fest, offering participants the opportunity to learn directly from some of the festival's most experienced performers and educators. Workshops will cater for all skill levels, from absolute beginners picking up a ukulele for the first time to experienced musicians looking to develop advanced playing techniques, songwriting skills and performance confidence. Across the weekend, attendees can explore chord melody, fingerpicking, syncopated strumming patterns, song arrangement, live performance techniques and creative songwriting, alongside specialist sessions led by visiting artists. Family-friendly workshops and interactive sessions ensure there is something for younger players too, while beginners can build confidence in a welcoming and supportive environment. Whether participants are taking their very first steps on the instrument or refining skills developed over many years, the workshop programme offers a unique opportunity to learn, connect and be inspired by a diverse community of ukulele enthusiasts.
The Festival Bar has been significantly expanded for 2026 and will become one of the main social spaces of the festival. Operated by Taylor's Bar and located within the Festival Hub in Fr. Burke Park, it will host a packed programme of free events from Thursday through to Sunday night. Festival-goers can enjoy live performances from visiting artists, open mic sessions, informal play-alongs, late-night singalongs and spontaneous collaborations between performers and attendees. Whether you're a seasoned player looking to join a session, a festival ticket holder between events, or simply curious
Since launching in 2018, Galway Uke Fest has grown into one of Ireland's leading ukulele festivals, attracting visitors from across Ireland, the UK, Europe and beyond while contributing to Galway's cultural and tourism offering. Festival tickets, concert tickets and workshop places are available now.
The full programme and ticket information can be found at www.galwayukefest.com
