Last July, the festival celebrated its fifth birthday with the highest number of attendees to date, transforming Wicklow’s Russborough House into Ireland’s largest summer family festival.
Blending all the excitement of a family camping holiday with an unmissable three day music festival, The Saw Doctors and Natasha Bedingfield have been unveiled as the first acts for next summer’s festival.
Kicking off the weekend on Friday night is British pop powerhouse Natasha Bedingfield, bringing her chart-topping hits like Unwritten, Pocketful of Sunshine and These Words to the main stage.
Closing out the festival on Sunday night are beloved Irish rockers The Saw Doctors, whose singalong anthems including N17, To Win Just Once, and I Useta Lover will bring generations together for a final burst of summer celebration. Further headline acts are still to be announced for the summer 2026 festival, including Saturday’s main stage artist.
The continued growth and success of Kaleidoscope presented by Glenveagh reflects a powerful shift in Irish travel habits.
According to Fáilte Ireland, domestic travel now accounts for 34 per cent of Irish summer trips, a rise from 22 per cent in 2023.
This surge is driven by value-conscious families seeking meaningful, local experiences that blend entertainment with cultural connection. A 2025 Tourism Ireland survey found that 68 per cent of Irish respondents planned at least one holiday in Ireland, with festivals, immersive activities and nature escapes topping the list of preferred staycation choices. With Irish staycations up 55 per cent since 2023, the three day summer festival continues to grow as Ireland’s largest family camping festival and a flagship destination for homegrown holiday experiences.
Natasha Bedingfield (PA)
Shell Holden, Director of Marketing at Kaleidoscope presented by Glenveagh, said: “Families across Ireland are reimagining what summer looks like, and it’s no longer about airports and all-inclusives.
“It’s about shared experiences, local adventures and making memories together. With Irish staycations up 55 per cent since 2023 and domestic travel now accounting for over a third of summer holidays, we’re proud that our family festival is leading the way in creating unforgettable moments right here at home.
“Kaleidoscope presented by Glenveagh has become a cornerstone of Ireland’s summer calendar and we’re thrilled to welcome even more families to Wicklow next summer.”
Located just 30 minutes from Dublin, Kaleidoscope presented by Glenveagh welcomes both weekend campers and daytrippers to a jam-packed celebration of family adventure.
Perfectly positioned to meet the growing demand for homegrown holidays, the Blessington festival offers an unparalleled family weekend full of activities and shows for all ages across 15 vibrant festival areas.
Festival tickets include immersive science shows, circus spectacles, feats of magic, arts and crafts, dance and theatre, baby and toddler play zones, family sports and wellness, and surprise performances for all ages. Whether you’re grooving to disco throwbacks, exploring the wonders of nature, or cheering on international headliners and rising young stars, next July’s festival promises a summer staycation like no other.
Leo Moran of The Saw Doctors. Credit: Mark Ashe.
Speaking about this year’s first wave of acts revealed, Shell Holden said: “We are all about creating unforgettable moments for families, and we’re thrilled to welcome The Saw Doctors and Natasha Bedingfield to the stage next July. Their music spans generations and genres, and we can’t wait to see parents and kids singing and dancing together. With many more acts still to be announced, next year’s festival is set to be our biggest yet.”
Cameron McDonnell, Head of Marketing at Glenveagh, added: “We’re proud to continue our support for Kaleidoscope, Ireland’s favourite family music festival. Next July will be all about making memories with friends and family, and we’re excited that Glenveagh will continue to play a part.”
Weekend and day tickets now available at Ticketmaster and kaleidoscopefestival.ie