Galway Docklands Festival 2026

Maritime Festival in Galway City ⚓

The Galway Docklands Festival is expected to return from 25 to 27 September 2026 in conjunction with the Galway International Oyster Festival. The three-day festival highlights the best that Galway’s Docklands have to offer with particular emphasis on locations such as Galway harbor, the Docks, The Claddagh, and the Galway coastline. Galway’s seafood, regional beers, music, the city’s famous Galway Hooker sailing boats, as well as a variety of family-friendly activities will all be featured at the festival. Take a guided tour of the Docklands, meet the boat makers, try seafood, board a boat for a trip through The Claddagh and out Galway Bay, and let the adolescents experience operating a motorboat (while supervised).

⛵ What’s on at Galway Docklands Festival 2026

The festival usually has events centered around Galway Bay Seafoods. Enjoy scrumptious seafood sampling and informative short talks about Ireland’s vibrant fishing sector as you delve into the world of seafood. Meet the boat builders preserving Galway’s maritime legacy at the Galway Lifeboat.

Bring the youngsters along for some fun, face painting, and delicious ice cream from the ice cream truck. Discover the enchantment of family boat trips and get aboard a real Galway Hooker to get a close-up look at a piece of maritime history.

Visitors will have the chance to see the restoration work being done by the Galway Hooker Sailing Club, learn knots, take guided walking tours to learn about the history of the area, stop by the booths of the Galway Aquarium, Corrib Beo, Water Safety Ireland, and many other organizations throughout the entire festival. It offers a unique opportunity to engage with Galway’s maritime past.

Typical Festival Highlights

• Galway Hooker workshop visits – Explore the history of traditional Galway Hooker boats.
• Meet expert boat builders – Learn about Galway Hooker restoration and building.
• Rigging demonstrations – Try essential sailing knots onboard.
• Galway Bay Boat Tours – Take a guided tour of Galway’s waterways.
• Sushi tastings by City Sushi – Enjoy local seafood with a modern twist.
• Meet the Producer at Galway Bay Seafoods – Learn local fishing techniques and fish filleting.
• Children’s activities – Water games, boat floating, and face painting.
• RNLI lifeboat station visit – Tour the lifeboat and meet the crew.

Giving to charity: A Noble Cause

We are giving back to the community as we honor Galway’s marine sector. Both Ability West and the Galway branch of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) will benefit from any proceeds earned during the festival. Participants in the Galway Docklands Festival will not only have a wonderful marine experience, but they will also help support these vital organizations that truly improve the lives of others.

Everyone will find something to enjoy at the festival. For the entire family to enjoy, there will be a loads of sea-themed activities, art contests, crafts, and entertainment.

Meet our crews, the Port of Galway Sea Scouts, and students from the local Sea School. Galway’s maritime heritage will be discussed over coffee in the morning by local lecturers, and the festival evenings will be concluded by rigging displays by the Galway Hookers and a Parade of Sail, which is always a treat to behold on Galway’s waterways.

The Docklands Festival is organised by the Galway Hooker Sailing Club in association with Galway Bay Boat Tours and Galway Bay Seafoods.

For more details, check out Galway Hooker Sailing Club, Galway Bay Boat Tours, and Galway Bay Seafoods.

All welcome!

Contact

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 0872166783