Taste of Kildare takes over the weekend with food, live music and entertainment

Taste of Kildare returns to Naas Racecourse this Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 August, bringing together some of Ireland’s best-known chefs, live music, family entertainment and an incredible showcase of Kildare food, drink and hospitality for one of the county’s biggest weekends of the summer.

Across two packed days, visitors can expect everything from live cooking demonstrations and local food experiences to music, artisan producers, craft stalls and entertainment for the whole family, with children under 10 admitted free.

Tickets available to purchase HERE.

One of the weekend’s biggest highlights comes on Sunday when country music star Cliona Hagan takes to the Main Stage from 4pm to 5.30pm. Sunday’s entertainment also includes the Newbridge Gospel Choir, a traditional music session and Noughty Tribute.

Saturday brings its own packed music programme, with the Newbridge Gospel Choir, Spring Break and Casa Disco providing the soundtrack throughout the day and into the evening.

Some of Ireland’s best-known chefs take to the stage

Food remains firmly at the heart of Taste of Kildare, with the Calor Gas Chef Demo Stage hosting a stellar line-up across the weekend.

Saturday will feature Phillip Gleeson, Gina Daly, Adrian Martin, Maria Harte, Rob Hanlon and Graham Herterich, while Sunday sees Kevin Dundon, Eva Pau, Kwanghi Chan, Graham Herterich, Joe Perez and Ben Flanagan take to the stage.

The festival will also showcase the depth of Kildare’s own food and drink scene. Flavours of Kildare, an initiative of Local Enterprise Office Kildare, will bring together more than 30 of the county’s food, drink and craft producers, giving visitors the chance to discover and support businesses producing right on their doorstep.

Visitors can sample everything from street food and BBQ to locally produced drinks and sweet treats, with names including Killashee Hotel, The Keadeen Hotel, Barberstown Castle, Lily & Wild, Harte’s Group, Firecastle, Donadea Wagyu, Kildare Brewing Co and The Dew Drop Brewhouse among those appearing across the festival.

A full day out for families

Taste of Kildare has also been designed as a family day out, with face painting, costume characters, a pet farm, sensory play area and an all-day bouncy castle running across both Saturday and Sunday.

With kids under 10 going free, families can spend the day exploring the festival, catching live entertainment and discovering food from across the county.

Leave the car behind with free shuttle buses

Getting to the festival will also be easier this year, with free shuttle buses running throughout both Saturday and Sunday.

The complimentary service will operate between:

Sallins Train Station → Naas Racecourse

Naas Poplar Square → Naas Racecourse

Buses will operate all day on Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 August, making it easy for visitors travelling by train or coming from Naas town centre to get directly to the festival.

Taste of Kildare takes place at Naas Racecourse on Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 August 2026.

Tickets are available from TasteofKildare.ie, with children under 10 admitted free.