Galway Fest 2026

Galway Fest is back — and it’s bigger than ever. From March 6th to 8th, 2026, this homegrown paddling festival returns to Ireland’s west coast, now one of Europe’s most loved kayaking weekends, blending world-class competition with a legendary community vibe and, of course, a serious party.

This year, the team is taking yet again a step toward change: a female athlete pre-sale. The goal? To be the change we want to see and boost women’s participation in paddlesports. By giving women the first chance to grab tickets, Galway Fest is making sure more female kayakers can get on the start line.

As always, the weekend will feature three jam-packed events: freestyle on Friday, whitewater time trial on Saturday, and the chaotic, crowd-favorite Boater X on Sunday. Off the water, expect music, laughs, and that unbeatable Galway energy that’s turned this grassroots gathering into an international highlight.

(Sync) Freestyle in Tuam. Photo by Jack Ledwith.

Tickets are always in high demand (last year, they sold out in just 34 seconds!), female registrations are currently open, and the main sale will follow on Wednesday, November 5th, at 9:00 pm GMT.

See you in Galway, where the community, the craic, and the current come together for one unforgettable weekend.