This May Bank Holiday weekend, Cork will sing as the Cork International Choral Festival returns from 29 April to 3 May 2026. Choirs from Ireland and around the world will perform in over 90 venues across the city and county, turning Cork into a stage for five days of music, celebration, and shared experience.
From early morning rehearsals in hotel lobbies to evening concerts in historic spaces, the festival transforms the city into a place where voices meet and audiences discover music in unexpected places.
Highlights of 2026
Gala Concerts: On Friday, 1 May, Chamber Choir Ireland and New Dublin Voices perform at the Cathedral of St Mary & St Anne, one of Cork’s most atmospheric venues. Tickets are on sale now.
Choral Composition Course: A new addition this year, led by award-winning composer Seán Doherty, gives emerging composers the chance to create new work and workshop it with Chamber Choir Ireland and conductor Gabriel Crouch. Places are limited, so early registration is advised.
Fleischmann International Trophy Competition: Cork welcomes some of the world’s top amateur choirs, celebrating outstanding talent and reinforcing the city’s reputation as a centre for choral music.
The festival balances formal concerts with informal performances across streets, lobbies, and public spaces, creating moments of reflection, joy, and connection for both performers and audiences alike. In a world that often feels hurried, the festival offers a rare chance to pause and enjoy the power of voices raised together.
Supported by The Arts Council, Fáilte Ireland, Cork City Council, and Cork County Council, with media partners including Irish Examiner, The Echo, and Cork’s 96FM, the Cork International Choral Festival remains a defining highlight of Cork’s cultural calendar.
For full programme details and tickets, visit www.corkchoral.ie.
