The Harvest Festival 2026

Waterford Harvest Festival returns from Friday, 4th to Sunday, 6th September 2026 for a vibrant weekend celebrating the very best of the city’s food, culture, and community.

Taking place across Waterford City, the festival will showcase Waterford’s exceptional places to eat, drink, explore, and enjoy. Visitors can look forward to a packed programme of culinary experiences, live music, family entertainment, river cruises, wellness activities, storytelling, and opportunities to discover local and seasonal produce.

Taste Your Way Through Waterford

Food lovers can explore the city’s contemporary culinary scene on the Tasteful Walking Tour, meeting the people behind some of Waterford’s local food businesses while enjoying a selection of tastings along the way. Those looking to connect with nature can also join a guided foraging experience at Mount Congreve, learning to identify edible plant species and discover more sustainable foraging practices.

On Saturday, 5th of September, the Bianconi Restaurant at the Granville Hotel will host a special Harvest Festival Afternoon Tea from 1 pm to 3 pm. Guests can enjoy homemade sweet and savoury treats, freshly baked scones, and a glass of Prosecco on arrival, and live music from Gavin the Pianoman.

For even more local flavours, head to the Taste Waterford Harvest Kitchen in John Roberts Square, where live cooking demonstrations, food stories and tastings will celebrate the people, produce, and flavours behind Waterford’s food scene.

Across Saturday and Sunday, the programme will feature Claire O’Sullivan of Crough Wood Wellness; Wayne and Krisztina Halloran of The Olive Cafe with David Foskin and Silvia Salvana of Sunny South Yeast Bakery & Catering; Fiona Byrne and David Kearns of The Railway Cottage with Kirk Dionela of Al Eile Farm; and John Devereux of Faithlegg Hotel.

On Sunday, 6th of September, Bodega Restaurant will bring a taste of the Mediterranean to Harvest Festival with Cocktails & Cuisine. The special lunch features four courses paired with four cocktails, with fresh local produce at the heart of the menu.

New For 2026

New for 2026, a section of the festival will return to the historic Ballybricken Green, which will be transformed into The Old Quarter. Centred around the iconic Ballybricken Bull Post, this lively festival hub will celebrate the area’s rich heritage and community spirit through food, music, culture, stories, and local enterprise.

Throughout the weekend, local food and drink producers, hospitality businesses, chefs, performers, and independent enterprises will take centre stage, giving visitors the opportunity to experience the quality, creativity, and diversity found across Waterford. A mix of free and ticketed activities will be available, with something to suit visitors of all ages.

Music, Mystery and Memorable Experiences

The festival’s entertainment programme will include a performance by acclaimed Irish jazz and blues singer Mary Coughlan at Christchurch Cathedral, along with the interactive Sheer Luck Holmes murder mystery dinner show, where guests can enjoy an evening of dining, intrigue, and entertainment.

There will also be free live music around Waterford City throughout the weekend, bringing plenty of atmosphere to the streets as the festival unfolds. Elsewhere across the programme, visitors can discover storytelling, nature, and Irish folklore experiences, alongside family entertainment and cultural activities.

An Inclusive Festival for Everyone

Waterford Harvest Festival is committed to creating an accessible, inclusive, and environmentally sustainable event. Autism Friendly Waterford will once again collaborate with the festival, with additional sensory facilities available to help more families to enjoy the weekend.

Check out the full Waterford Harvest Festival programme and start planning your visit!