Cork International Choral Festival Returns for May Bank Holiday Weekend

Cork will once again give itself over to song this May Bank Holiday weekend, as the Cork International Choral Festival returns from 29 April to 3 May 2026. Choirs from across Ireland and around the world will perform in more than 90 venues across Cork city and county, creating five days of music that will see the city itself become the stage.

One of Europe's longest running and most respected choral festivals, the event has become a defining part of Cork's cultural life, blending artistic excellence with a spirit of openness and participation. Voices will rise in landmark concert halls, historic spaces and unexpected settings across the city, from early morning rehearsals to evening performances.

Artistic Director Peter Stobart said:

"There's something very special that happens when a city gives itself over to song. For five days, Cork becomes a place where voices meet, where audiences stumble upon music in unexpected spaces, and where people connect through something as simple and powerful as singing together. That sense of shared experience is at the heart of this festival, and it's what keeps people coming back year after year."

The festival's 2026 Gala Concerts will take place on Friday, 1 May, when Chamber Choir Ireland and New Dublin Voices will perform at the Cathedral of St Mary and St Anne on Cathedral Street. One of Cork's most resonant and atmospheric spaces, the cathedral provides a powerful backdrop for two exceptional performances. Tickets for both concerts are now on sale.

A significant new addition for 2026 is the launch of the festival's first Choral Composition Course, led by award-winning Irish composer Seán Doherty. Designed as a three-day intensive, the course offers composers the opportunity to develop new work in a focused and supportive environment. The course will culminate in a workshop with Chamber Choir Ireland and conductor Gabriel Crouch. Places are limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

At the heart of the festival remains the prestigious Fleischmann International Trophy Competition, which draws outstanding amateur choirs from around the world to Cork each year. One of Europe's most sought-after choral prizes, the competition continues to position Cork on the international stage as a city that not only hosts great music, but deeply understands and champions it.

Across the weekend, formal concerts in Cork City Hall sit alongside relaxed, informal performances woven into everyday city life, creating moments of reflection, celebration and connection for performers and audiences alike.

The Cork International Choral Festival is proudly supported by The Arts Council, Fáilte Ireland, Cork City Council and Cork County Council, with media partners including the Irish Examiner, The Echo and Cork's 96FM. Full programme details and ticket information are available at www.corkchoral.ie.