The Kaleidoscope festival returns after a Covid-induced absence of two years this weekend.
The family-friendly festival promises a huge amount of activities for kids and adults alike from June 24th - 26th - as well as a pretty decent music line-up that includes acts like The Divine Comedy and James Morrison.
If you’re heading along, you’ll find everything you need to know below.
CAN I STILL BUY TICKETS?
Yes - at time of writing, weekend camping tickets (adult €88 plus fees, child €44 plus fees) as well as day tickets for Friday, Saturday and Sunday (€33.30 plus fees per day ticket) were available. Babes-in-arms (under 24 months) go free. You can also add one grandparent per family group for free. Weekend Family Camping tickets for a family of four works out as €249; family Day Tickets are €133.20.
Tickets bought in 2020 are valid for this year’s festival.
WHERE IS IT ON?
It's in the grounds of Russborough House in Blessington, Co. Wicklow.
HOW DO I GET THERE?
If you’re driving from the Dublin direction, traffic will drive through Blessington Town on the N81 and turn right at the Burgage roundabout, joining left onto the Kilmalum road. It will continue on the L6052 until the L3863, where it will turn left and be directed into the carparks via Gate 1 and subsequently Gate 8. Campervans will be directed via Gate 1, while taxis and drop-offs will go via Gate 8.
You must buy a car parking ticket if you’re driving - they’re €20 in advance from Ticketmaster, or €26 on the day.
If you’re taking public transport, the festival site is close (within a 10-minute drive) of both Blessington and Ballymore Eustace (but check local taxi companies, as it’s a long walk from both).
The nearest train station is Sallins & Naas, which is a 25-minute drive from the festival site.
WHO'S PLAYING?
Headliners are Dec Pierce’s Block Rockin’ Beats (Friday); Feeder (Saturday) and The Divine Comedy (Sunday). Other acts on the bill include James Morrison, Lyra, Brian Deady, Camille O’Sullivan, The Frank & Walters, Jerry Fish and Ham Sandwich.
But there’s lots more besides music - see our 5 Reasons to Check Out Kaleidoscope feature for a flavour of everything else.
WHAT'S THE WEATHER GOING TO BE LIKE?
According to Yr.no, Friday afternoon will be showery, clearing around 6pm for an evening of sunshine and cloud.
Saturday will be similarly showery throughout the afternoon, but clearing for the evening.
And it looks like the same story for Sunday - showery during the earlier part of the day and cloudy from the early evening.
Not the best forecast for a festival, true - but we’re Irish. When have we ever let the weather stop us from having a good time?
WHAT ABOUT THE STAGE TIMES?
You'll find them below:
WHAT ELSE DO I NEED TO KNOW?
The festival is aware that some people have not received their tickets by post yet - but if that’s the case, don’t worry. There’s a plan in place and people who have bought tickets will be sorted, as per the notice below:
Campers and Caravans can arrive from 16:00 on Thursday, tent campers from 9am on Friday. If your passes have arrived, please display your camper or car parking ticket on your dashboard for smooth arrival to the site. All camping gear, equipment and vehicles must be cleared from the site by 12 noon on Monday 27th of June.
Adults can bring their own alcohol to the festival, but given that it’s a family-friendly event, they’re advised to bring a ‘sensible’ volume. Alcohol may not be consumed outside of the event site & you will not be allowed to carry open alcohol containers from the event site into the wider grounds at Russborough House.
