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Milford is getting ready to come alive this August as a brand-new summer festival brings three days of music, entertainment and family activities to the town.
The inaugural Milford Summer Festival will run from Friday 7 August to Sunday 9 August 2026, with a packed programme featuring live bands, children’s entertainment, sporting events, a heritage walk, a colour run and plenty more.
The festival has been organised by the Milford Events Committee, a new community group formed in November 2025. Members have been meeting regularly over recent months to create a fresh programme of events for Milford and the surrounding area.
At the heart of the weekend will be the Gig Rig, which will be set up in the Town Car Park beside the Graffiti Wall.
Parking will be available at the Council Office, Milford Health Centre, the Cow Market, Manus O’Donnell’s field, Milford Hall and the football pitch.
The festival will officially open at 7pm on Friday, with Cathal Hagan performing the honours before music from Malachi and Catriona gets the celebrations underway.
Family fun throughout Saturday
Saturday’s programme begins at 10am with a Gaelic4Mothers&Others ladies’ Gaelic football event at Moyle View Park.
A FREE Kids’ Fun Day will run from 12 noon until 6pm, while local history will take centre stage during a heritage walk with Sheila Friel, departing from the Festival Office at 12 noon.
Four-legged family members will also have their chance to shine at the Pet Show at 1pm. Registration opens at the Gig Rig at 12.30pm, with an entry fee of €5.
The afternoon will continue with a Battle of the Bands at 2pm and a single versus married men’s and women’s football match at the Astro Pitch at 3pm.
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Maria McCormick and Friends will perform at the Gig Rig from 4pm, followed by Shane McGinley at 6pm.
Popular local band Rhythm & Sticks will then take to the stage at 8pm for Saturday night’s headline performance.
Music, colour and plenty of surprises on Sunday
Sunday’s entertainment begins at 12 noon with Ruairí Friel and Friends, joined by dancers from Scoil Rince Ní Ghallchóir.
A Milford Jiu-Jitsu display will take place at 2pm, before the colourful festival fun continues with a Colour Run at 3pm. Registration will be held at the Festival Office from 2.30pm, with entry costing €3.
At 4pm, special guest Gavin McAteer will be placed in the firing line for the festival’s “Soak the Coach” event.
Keelan Pritchard will provide live music from 5pm, followed by the closing ceremony and presentations at 7pm.
Country music star David James and his band will bring the inaugural festival to a lively end with a performance at the Gig Rig from 8pm.
Cullen’s Funfair will also be in Milford throughout the weekend, while buskers and street performers bring more music buzz to the town.
Singing pubs begin the celebrations
The festival build-up will begin even earlier with the Singing Pubs competition taking place at 9pm each evening from Monday to Thursday.
The opening night will be held at Burger Jacks on Monday 3 August, followed by the Hi-Da-Way Bar on Tuesday and Dusty’s Bar on Wednesday.
The final will take place at the Traveller’s Inn on Thursday 6 August and will also feature the selection of the Festival Queen.
The festival committee has thanked everyone who has helped to organise, support, sponsor and volunteer for the event.
The Milford Summer Festival is a free family weekend, although small entry fees apply to selected activities.
Save the dates, 7th, 8th and 9th August 2026, and get ready for a memorable weekend in Milford!
For updates, follow the MilfordEvents page here.
To support the event, visit the GoFundMe page here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/ex4nwv