Thank You – Danke – Diolch – Gràcies – Merci – Dziękuję – Takk – Grazie – Paldies – Bedankt

To all of you who performed – Go Raibh Maith Agaibh Go Léir – Thank You All! One performance at Spraoi International Street Arts Festival 2026 was titled ‘Fountain of Joy’, created by Spraoi’s friend Colm O’Grady. Our whole city was a fountan of joy during this year’s festival. Thousands of cross-generational audiences enjoyed forty-four different acts from around the world. Spraoi 2026 presented performers from Ireland, Scotland, Spain, Argentina, France, Norway, England, Poland, Wales, and Germany.

With assistance of Irish government agency Culture Ireland international festival directors and managers travelled to Waterford to view and book Irish talent. They included representatives from Australia, Latvia, France, U.K., and Netherlands.

To the 2026 international cast of artists, performers, and musicians Spraoi says: Thank You – Danke – Diolch – Gràcies – Merci – Dziękuję – Takk – Grazie – Paldies – Bedankt.

Huge Hit for First Spraoi Heineken Weekender

Spraoi’s first Heineken Weekender on O’Connell Street was an incredible success. For three days and nights the area hosted thousands of music lovers. They were offered an eclectic blend of wonderful musicians and musical styles. The mix included influences from rock, folk, cajun, rockabilly, zydeco, choral, brass, and Japanese taiko drumming. They were also offered great food, drinks, and atmosphere. Thanks to Spraoi’s partners Heineken, Tom Mahers, Phoenix Yard, and Tully’s for all your work throughout the Weekender. Very special thanks to Claire, Ed, John, and Keith for believing in and for investing in Spraoi’s vision for Spraoi’s Heineken Weekender.

Spraoi Parade Attracts Thousands

Thousands of spectators created an enormous energy buzz as the 2026 Spraoi Parade ‘Howl’ wove its way along the city’s historic streets and quays. Over two hundred costumed performers, bespoke floats, fire, light, sound and music delighted audiences of all ages for with Waterford’s biggest night of the summer. It was a blast to the senses.

Spraoi Parade Sponsored by:

Picture: Sky Vision Digital Cinematography

People Have The Power!

It is said: “It takes a village to rear a child”. It takes hundreds of people to rear Spraoi Festival into life each year.

Some are professionals, many are volunteers. They come from all walks of life: students, technicians, truck drivers, teachers, mechanics, community leaders, nurses, journalists, Gardai, child care workers, Council staff – in fact just about every human activity. They bring their skills, enthusiasm, knowledge, good humour, love of Spraoi, and pride in Waterford. They are all ages and come from all backgrounds. So many brilliant people working together to bring fun into people’s lives on a weekend when Waterford is just a magic and uplifting place to be.

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UmaKoko

Wave: All Around the World is a 20 minutes outdoor dance experience.  It’s a show where you are not just watching a performance unfold, you are a part of the show.

From the first clap, this piece builds its rhythm through sound that resonates and brings the audience together, with a strong movement introduction and ends with a finale with everyone joining in. Blending street styles from across cultures, WAVE celebrates dance as a universal language that connects us all, alive, evolving, empowering and powered by community.

Expect music made by bodies, stories told through movement, and a finale where everyone joins in.

As this year’s selected 4 Nations artists from Ireland, UmaKoko joins an inspiring collective of talent from across the UK, including Punjabi Roots (England), Delululand (Scotland), Ronan McMahon (Scotland), Erin Hughes (Wales), and Krystal S. Lowe and Amber Howells (Wales).

Pro Page - Spraoi Festival 2026

Meet Isacs International Guests at Spraoi 2026

The ISACS Network are delighted to present the International guests who will be attending  Spraoi International Street Arts Festival with thanks to Culture Ireland.
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Would Someone Please Think of The Audiences?

Audiences are the lifeblood of performing arts. Unlike some art forms, live audiences influence and impact art making performances. Research for The Arts Council of Ireland indicates that street arts, circus, and spectacle consistently attract large audiences. They also engage audiences who may not otherwise access the arts. ISACS, in collaboration with Spraoi, introduces a new event at this year’s Spraoi International Street Arts Festival. The Arts Council’s Performing Arts Director Liz Meaney and Waterford Spraoi’s Director T.V. Honan will be in conversation at Garter Lane Arts Centre on Friday, July 31^st, at 7.00 p.m. They will discuss various factors impacting audience engagement, particularly regarding street arts, circus, and spectacle.

• Shane Crossan – Arts Officer, Longford County Council

Professional practitioners and all others interested in the arts are welcome to attend.

Willkommen KiBoDaiko Taiko Drummers

Spraoi Festival 2026 welcomes the return of our great friends the KiBoDaiko Taiko Drummers from Germany.

These wonderful musicians made their Irish premiere performance at Spraoi Festival 2024. They won hearts and minds of all who heard them. They are musical ambassadors for their native Märkischer Kreis region, twinned with Waterford. All the players in the group are students at the Taiko Dojo Monika Volmer school in Hemer, Germany. They frequently play at celebrations, festivals, and public events.

Das Spraoi Festival 2026 freut sich, die KiBoDaiko Taiko-Trommler aus Deutschland wieder bei sich begrüßen zu dürfen. Diese wunderbaren Musiker feierten ihre Irland-Premiere beim Spraoi Festival 2024 und begeisterten das Publikum. Sie sind musikalische Botschafter ihrer Heimatregion Märkischer Kreis, die mit Waterford partnerschaftlich verbunden ist. Alle Mitglieder der Gruppe sind Schüler der Taiko-Dojo-Schule Monika Volmer in Hemer. Sie treten regelmäßig bei Feierlichkeiten, Festivals und öffentlichen Veranstaltungen auf.

Visit Waterford

Waterford City and county is a great visitor location throughout the year.

Waterford City, Dungarvan, and Tramore all offer seasonal Christmas attractions. The Waterford coast, mountains and Greenway provide stunning strolling locations. For updates on locations and attractions see Visit Waterford:

• visitwaterford.com
• discoverireland.ie
• ireland.ie

Residencies 2026

Irish artists are undertaking one-week residencies at Spraoi Studios in Spring as they create new shows.

Colm O’Grady visited in January developing  ‘Fountain of Joy’, and we are excited to welcome him back in April.

Fanzini Productions will have their residency from 23rd-27th February.

Spraoi is delighted to support the work of these fantastic Irish street artists.