8 Things You Need to Know about the Galway International Arts Festival

If the Galway International Arts Festival isn’t already on your radar, it should be. Every July, the city of Galway, Ireland, transforms itself into the premiere destination for fine arts and culture with immersive performances, provocative lectures, larger-than-life installations and a series of jaw-dropping spectacles. And this year, it’s shaping up to be bigger than ever. Here are eight things you need to know about the Galway International Arts Festival. 

1. It takes place every July in Galway, Ireland, which has been designated the European Capital of Culture for 2020.

2. It’s one of the largest festivals in Ireland, with an expertly curated lineup of more than 200 shows over the course of 14 days.

3. Artists from all over the globe form the eclectic festival cast. This year, expect to see Australian acrobats in the gravity-defying “Backbone from Gravity & Other Myths,” the 90-strong China National Traditional Orchestra, and American rock band the Flaming Lips, just to name a few.

4. Gargantuan installations are par for the course at the Galway International Arts Festival, but this year, they are even more colossal. This year’s show-stoppers are the Museum of the Moon and newspaper installation by Turner-prize nominated artist David Mach.

5. The lineup of theatrical performances will feature six world premieres and five Irish premieres, including the highly anticipated “Incantata” – a poignant story of love and loss by Paul Muldoon.

6. The performances span more than 25 venues throughout the city. The Heinken Big Top tent has become the landmark for the festival and the stage for the big-name musical performances, including Gavin James. 

7. This will be the second year for The People Build, a community endeavor to construct buildings from cardboard boxes. The event culminates in the dramatic demolition of the construction on Sunday, July 22, which we’ll be streaming live on Facebook.

8. Galway is located at the heart of the Wild Atlantic Way and serves as the perfect access point to Ireland’s breathtaking West coast.

We're partnering with Tourism Ireland to give you an inside look at the festival, exclusive interviews and a live broadcast of The People Build Demo. Join us on Facebook for the LIVE show at 12:45 p.m. ET on Sunday, July 22. RSVP today!