Cork Streets Transform into Festival Venues This Weekend

Cork City's Open Streets programme brings two days of free family entertainment to North Main Street and Blackpool, featuring live music, street performers, and community activities this Saturday and Sunday.

The third annual North Main Street Carnival kicks off the weekend festivities on Saturday, 23 August, promising a full day of entertainment on one of Cork's most historic streets. The carnival, supported by Cork City Council, will feature live music from the Roaring Forties band, a popular dog show, and farmyard animals from Rumley's Farm for children to meet.

Adding to the spectacle, brave Vikings will roam the street whilst the Knights of Munster make their carnival debut with dramatic battle reenactments. Families can enjoy face painting, games for all ages, and a variety of street entertainment throughout the day.

Sunday brings something brand new to the northside as Great William O'Brien Street hosts the inaugural Blackpool Block Party from 1pm to 5pm on 24 August. The street will be transformed into a community celebration featuring an impressive lineup of local performers and organisations.

The Block Party programme includes performances from Cork Community Art Link, Céili All Stars, Kabin Crew, The Heppsters Jazz Trio, and the Tomás Mac Curtain Pipe Band. Theatre group Graffiti Theatre will present dramatic performances, whilst Super Stars Stage School and the Community Ceili Fusion Dance Group will showcase local talent.

Street acrobat Ally Futto will provide spectacular entertainment, and visitors can participate in creative workshops, hands-on crafts, and enjoy Ringo Bingo. Cork Community Bikes will be on hand, and several community gardens including Glen Community Gardens, The Foyer, Meitheal Follaine, and NICHE Community Gardens will offer free fresh local produce to attendees.

The Blackpool Knitting Group will also participate in the festivities, demonstrating traditional crafts alongside the more modern entertainment offerings.

Both events form part of Cork City Council's Open Streets initiative, which transforms roadways into spaces for social and community events. The programme encourages residents to view streets as shared spaces for health, wellbeing, and recreation rather than solely for vehicles.

The initiative involves collaboration between local businesses, business representative organisations, public transport bodies, and community groups. It forms part of a net zero city pilot project, with events taking place both in the city centre and larger suburbs.

The Blackpool Block Party is organised by Cork Community Art Link and the Blackpool Community Centre, with support from the RAPID programme of Cork City Council, the HSE Community Work Department, and the Cork City Partnership.

Both events are free to attend and promise to bring a proper carnival atmosphere to Cork's streets, giving families the perfect opportunity to enjoy the last weekend of August without spending a fortune.