Theatre, literature, dance, music, food, crafts, exhibitions... instead of focusing on just one of these, arts festivals offer a mixture of everything. They’re fun-filled, action packed and with programmes that stretch over several days you really can’t go wrong. Here’s some of the big ‘uns coming up over the next few months.

Five Lamps Arts Festival: 9th - 28th April 2013
The Dublin Five Lamps Arts Festival returns, enjoying its sixth year as one of the main festivals in Dublin's Northside. Celebrating the Five Lamps landmark and surrounding community. This festival will be showcasing a wide range of art forms including; literature, dance, music, film, visual art and theatre. Read more.

Barrow River Arts Festival: 19th - 21st April 2013
Founded and curated by long time Irish residents, Swiss violinist Maya Homburger and English bass player Barry Guy, the Barrow River Arts Festival presents, in one packed weekend, a programme of classical music, free improvised jazz, theatre and visual art in two beautiful settings along the River Barrow in Counties Kilkenny and Carlow - Duiske Abbey and Borris House. Read more.

Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival: 2nd - 12th May 2013
The Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival is an annual festival of music, comedy, theatre, art and literature that takes place in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The festival, now in its 12th year, traditionally takes place in the first weeks of May in Belfast's Cathedral Quarter, so called because of its proximity to St. Anne's Cathedral. Read more.

Wicklow Arts Festival 2013: 24th - 26th May 2013
Wicklow Arts Festival is an exciting family friendly celebration of the arts with music, exhibitions, literary events, street theatre, workshops and artisan food and crafts - something for all ages to enjoy. Read more.

Carlow Arts Festival Eigse: 7th - 16th June 2013
Éigse Carlow Arts Festival is a multi-disciplinary festival in the south east of Ireland showcasing a diverse range of arts and cultural events over 10 days in June. The festival displays a vibrant programme of events featuring a dynamic range of entertainment and arts and transforms Carlow into a cultural hub of the South East. Read more.

Westport Festival of Music and Performing Arts: 29th - 30th June 2013
The Westport Festival of Music and Food 2013 is an annual 2-day family friendly event set amidst the stunning 400 acre estate of Westport House in County Mayo. Read more.

Galway Arts Festival: 15th - 28th July 2013
Galway Arts Festival is Ireland's largest international arts festival. The Festival showcases a wide variety of international artists alongside the best of Irish talent and includes music (popular, contemporary, jazz, world, classical and traditional), theatre (indoor and outdoor), visual arts, dance, talks, discussions, family events and comedy in its programme. Read more.

Waterford Spraoi Festival 2013: 2nd - 4th August 2013
Spraoi Festival is Ireland's specialist street theatre and spectacle event. It presents over 200 street theatre and music performances in three days and most events are free at this family-friendly event. Read more.

Kilkenny Arts Festival: 9th - 18th august 2013
Kilkenny Arts Festival is set celebrate 40 years in 2013. Kilkenny's largest festival and Ireland's oldest multi-disciplinary arts festival brings over 25,000 visitors from Ireland and abroad into Kilkenny City every year for a feast of the very best in Irish and international acts. Read more.