Cork Midsummer Festival kicks off today

Turning the city into an interactive arts playground, the Cork Midsummer Festival 2026 begins today and will run until Sunday, June 21.

Festival highlights include renowned French actress Isabelle Huppert bringing her distinct voice to UCC, for a live reading of a selection of work from a defining figure of French literature in Guy de Maupassant.

1975/Naoi Déag Seachtó Cúig is a new dance theatre work from choreographer Michael Keegan-Dolan including seven dancers and takes place at the Cork Opera House.

Also taking place during the festival is an Everyman production of Pool (No Water) , featuring Irish author, performer, and Harry Potter star, Evanna Lynch, which will be performed in the empty swimming pool at The Metropole Hotel.

Elsewhere, Cork Midsummer Festival favourite, Deirdre Kinahan, reunites with director Louise Lowe to explore the city’s cultural history in a new work The Homecoming of Joseph Grace at the Marina Market.

For the full festival line-up and ticket information visit https://www.corkmidsummer.com.