Spraoi International Street Arts Festival 2023 offers a weekend of exciting entertainment and artistic performance. Get on your bike, get on the bus, take a train – just be here. Take the Spin to Spraoi in ‘23.
Each and every member of our audience; young, old and in-between are part of our story. You energise our performers. We want you here so much we won’t charge you to get in, slap a barcode on your wrist, nor put a fence around you. This is not a gated community, its a community of fun-loving people enjoying the craic.
It all started thirty years ago. Our idea was simple enough, put the art where the people are. Back in 1993 we offered five shows. This year you can choose between over two-hundred. Most times you won’t have to choose; most times the schedule will allow you see ten and more shows a day. So take your imagination for a stroll through the city’s narrow streets, stylish squares and majestic quays for Sunday night’s river Suir fireworks finale.
For decades there has been no August Bank Holiday Weekend in Waterford. Locals call it ‘The Spraoi Weekend’ or simply ‘The Spraoi’. Waterford people took ownership of ‘The Spraoi’ years ago, and why not? It’s their festival, planned and made by people from here who come from all walks of life. A special energy exists when a people and place harness creativity and give it away for free. You couldn’t buy it, they wouldn’t sell it, but they’d love you to be part of it. You are warmly invited to Spraoi ’23. Book a room or mate’s sofa now!
Listed as one of Ireland’s top festivals by The Irish Times.
Spraoi
Spraoi International Street Arts Festival is recruiting volunteers now! We are looking for people over sixteen years of age from all backgrounds. Volunteering is an amazing way to experience Spraoi Festival from the inside. You will learn, have fun, and help to create an amazing festival. We will meet you, a fantastic new member of the Spraoi family. Please reach-out to us today. Contact: vicky@spraoi.com or (051)841808 (Office Hours). Plus see us on Instagram and Facebook.
Spraoi Volunteering Partnered by:
Join Spraoi and a cast of hundreds as the annual parade winds its way through the streets and quays of the city. Starting at Johnstown and finishing on The Quay, expect the unexpected. Spectacular floats, giant creatures, music and mayhem, the Spraoi Parade is the biggest outdoor spectacle event in Waterford.
Proudly Partnered by Clem Jacob Hire
Sponsored by Rockshore Irish Lager, the Spraoi Rockshore Rhythm Route features and eclectic mix of live bands and DJs from Ireland and beyond.
ISACS is thrilled to bring back StreetTalk, an International roundtable examining the role of street arts in contemporary society.
The topic this year is Nurturing practical European cultural connections, moderated by Andrew Loretto.
The event offers an opportunity to hear from National and International programmers, professionals and artists who recognise the importance of partnership.
Waterford Credit Union celebrates sixty years of service to its community with a showcase of Waterford’s musical talent during this year’s Spraoi Festival.
The ISACS Network is happy to announce that registration for the ISACS Professional Programme at Spraoi festival is finally open! Our focus is to empower the Irish Street Art, Circus and Spectacle artists & art forms.
This summer SURGE Festival, Glasgow, presents BEAUTIFUL BONES, in partnership with Spraoi Festival at The Mall, on Friday evening, August 4th. The performance and music draws inspiration its from Mardi Gras, 1990’s rave culture and Mexico’s Day of the Dead.An ensemble of Irish trombonists will play alongside internationally renowned trombonist, John Kenny with original music, from award winning composer, Stephen Deazley. BEAUTIFUL BONES is a large-scale outdoor street spectacle and musical performance that reframes the rituals of death as a celebration of life.
You will find eye-popping national and international circus, street theatre, comedy, music and dance performers at all key city centre sites throughout Spraoi ’23. A fantastic array of acts are available to audiences at this tear’s Spraoi. We guarantee tapping toes, laughing faces and gasps of breath as you saunter the town sampling amazing acts.
Spraoi Festival is delighted to welcome Red Hat’s return for 2023. With our partners, Red Hat, Spraoi fosters a spirit of community participation. The festival’s volunteer programme, inspired by Red Hat’s own open source community ethos, invites young people to contribute to their city. It also offers them a structured space in which to learn, led by leaders who have come through the ranks themselves. In this environment they gain portable skills such as teamwork and leadership. These are Spraoi’s future leaders as well as being leaders within their workplace and community. Volunteers also strengthen Waterford’s arts infrastructure. They frequently progress to other city organisations, contributing to capacity-building across music, theatre and dance.
There’s so much else to see and do in Waterford City and County. If you’re planning a trip to the Sunny South East for Spraoi weekend, why not stick around after the festivities and enjoy some of the other great attractions
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Southern Regional Assembly partners the 2023 edition of Street Talk at Spraoi International Street Arts Festival. Street Talk is a seminar featuring topics of common interest for Irish and European street arts practitioners. In addition to being a major public event, Spraoi International Street Arts Festival showcases Irish artists to international festivals.
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Creative
COVID-19 has not been kind to grandparents, parents, children, schools, businesses or communities. Neither has it been kind to artists, technicians nor Spraoi. In fact, we’ve never needed each other more. Waterford people built Spraoi as an honest expression of our culture, community and sense of fun.
Your donation will be a powerful statement of your belief in the power of the arts in our city and on our streets.
Even in uncertain times, Spraoi has the capacity to bring joy into people’s lives and places.
If you think we can assist in reimagining your town or city and bring your creative ideas into reality contact T.V. Honan, Spraoi Director, tv@spraoi.com
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