From a smartphone film festival to a two-day celebration of coffee, there is plenty to be doing in Dublin this weekend.
On Friday, 10 April, the Irish Baroque Orchestra and Choir are set to perform a uniquely ‘Dublin’ rendition of Handel’s Messiah at George’s Hall in Dublin Castle. Under Peter Whelan’s direction, the music will transport you back to the 18th century with a vibrant interpretation that captures the spirit and grandeur of Handel’s masterpiece as it was first experienced in the city. Tickets are €27.50 (€5 students/unwaged).
On Saturday, 11 April, from 11am to 2pm, there will be a walking tour celebrating the legacy of U2. Combining the band’s history with local Dublin history, the tour guide will take attendees through the places that shaped U2 and their music. Meeting point at the Gaiety Theatre. Tickets from €17.07.
Every Sunday at Wigwam, a selection of fabulous Drag Queens host a special themed Drag Show with a new theme each week. From pop icon tributes and movie madness to global celebrations, no two weeks are the same, but the chaos is always 10/10. Tickets are €5 per person, but you can also add food and drinks packages.
Pilates and Brunch for the girlies
On Sunday, 12 April from 10:30am to 12pm, Sarah Ó Tuama is hosting a beginner pilates class in Dublin 8, followed by brunch in the Bean Box Coffee Shop on Aungier St. You Pilates + Brunch Ticket includes a 45 min pilates class, brunch main (sandwich or acai) and drink of your choice (coffee, matcha, hot chocolate etc). A brunch only ticket includes brunch main and drink of your choice. Tickets from €22.42.
Dublin Smartphone Film Festival 2026
DubSmartFF is back for its 9th year, continuing its legacy as Ireland’s only international film festival dedicated exclusively to mobile filmmaking. Taking place on Saturday, 11 April, this year’s event promises an exciting mix of short films, features, and interactive workshops, all set at The Pearse Centre. Tickets cost €16.
The Five Lamps Arts Festival 2026
Located in the heart of the community in Dublin’s North East Inner City, the Five Lamps Arts Festival has been running since 2007. This year’s festival will showcase a range of art forms, including literature, dance, music, visual art, and theatre throughout April.
Calling all card collectors! The Ireland Card Show is taking place at the InterContinental Dublin on Saturday, 11 April from 10am to 4pm. The annual show celebrates all aspects of card collecting, from Pokémon and modern TCGs to sports cards, graded cards, sealed product, and emerging collectables. Whether you’re a first-time collector opening your first pack or a seasoned hobbyist with a serious collection, the Ireland Card Show is designed to offer something for everyone. Tickets from €6.34.
Murder and Mystery: 2 One-Act Plays
The Teachers Club in Dublin 1 will host two one-act plays from 9 – 11 April. The first play will be Bogboy by Deirdre Kinahan, a darkly comic and deeply humane story set against the lonely backdrop of rural Meath. The second will be Dead Asset written and directed by Ray McBride, a black comedy exploring the extremities of human nature and the corrosive effects of mutual suspicion. Kicking off at 8pm, tickets start at €18.
Running from Saturday, 11 – Sunday, 12 April at the RDS, the Dublin Coffee Festival is a celebration of the speciality coffee scene, showcasing incredible exhibitors, competitions, entertainment and more. There will be talks and panel discussions, workshops, a latte art competition, and sensory experiences.
The James Joyce Centre is hosting an immersive literary walking tour of Dublin that focuses on the 8th chapter of Ulysses by James Joyce. Every Friday at 11am, a tour guide will guide attendees to follow in Bloom’s footsteps for two hours, discussing Joyce’s effort to bring the unsavoury workings of the body into a work of art and use food as the basis of a political and social commentary. Tickets from €22.42.