July is one of the most exciting times of the year to visit the Boyne Valley. As summer reaches its peak, the region comes alive with an incredible programme of festivals, concerts, family days, sporting events, arts experiences and cultural celebrations. Whether you're planning a family holiday, a weekend escape or simply looking for something different to enjoy, there's no shortage of memorable experiences waiting across Counties Meath and Louth.
From race meetings and castle concerts to children's camps, living history events, music festivals and creative workshops, there's something happening almost every day throughout the month. Here's your guide to everything taking place in the Boyne Valley this July.
Spire of Lloyd Tours
Join us in Kells this July for a tour of Ireland's only inland lighthouse! Designed by Henry Aaron Baker designer of the King’s Inn, Dublin for Thomas Taylour, First Earl of Bective in 1791 and provided work during the time of the local famine.The legendary Queen Maeve (Medbh) was said to camp here with her armies on her way to steal Ulster's prize stud bull in the story of Táin Bó Cúailnge ("The Cattle Raid of Cooley").
Relax and have fun with the family in the playground area afterwards! Find out more here.
Artistic Explorers Summer Camp
Young artists can enjoy three mornings of creativity at Solstice Arts Centre in Navan from 1st to 3rd July. Designed for children aged 8 to 12, the Artistic Explorers Summer Camp introduces participants to drawing, painting and a variety of hands-on creative activities. Led by experienced tutors, the camp encourages imagination, confidence and collaboration while giving children the opportunity to make new friends and discover new artistic skills.
Find out more HERE!
Bellewstown Races
The ever-popular Bellewstown Races return from 1st to 4th July, bringing four fantastic days of horse racing and entertainment to one of Ireland's most scenic racecourses. Alongside thrilling racing action, visitors can enjoy great food, live entertainment and a lively atmosphere overlooking the beautiful Boyne Valley countryside.
Find out more HERE!
Night Moves Summer Series | PHOENO
On 3rd July, Droichead Arts Centre welcomes Dublin electro-indie duo PHOENO as part of its Night Moves Summer Series. Set within the relaxed surroundings of the arts centre's café and gallery, this intimate concert offers audiences the opportunity to experience atmospheric live music in a unique setting.
Find out more HERE!
Summer Pottery Classes with Lucy O'Gorman Ceramics
Get creative this July with Lucy O'Gorman Ceramics in Slane. Full-day pottery throwing workshops take place on 5th and 25th July, offering participants the chance to spend a relaxing day learning new ceramic skills while enjoying a delicious lunch. Private group workshops are also available throughout the summer, while the studio shop welcomes visitors looking for handmade ceramics.
Find out more HERE!
Afternoon Tea with a Traitorous Twist at Slane Castle
Enjoy a truly unique afternoon at Slane Castle on 5th and 26th July. Combining a traditional afternoon tea with an intriguing historical experience, guests will savour elegant sandwiches, freshly baked scones and delicious pastries before embarking on a fascinating guided tour through the castle's grand rooms, uncovering stories of the Conyngham family and the estate's rich history.
Find out more HERE!
Navan School of Ballet Summer Camp
Running from 6th to 11th July, the Navan School of Ballet Summer Camp offers a wonderful opportunity for children aged 3 years and upwards to stay active during the summer holidays. Younger children enjoy dance, games and crafts while older students develop technique, choreography and performance skills in preparation for an end-of-week showcase.
Find out more HERE!
Farmers Market
Support local producers at the Farmers Market at the Battle of the Boyne Visitor Centre on 5th July. Browse stalls offering locally produced meats, artisan foods, fresh produce and delicious cooked treats before exploring the historic Oldbridge Estate and visitor centre.
Find out more HERE!
King John Summer Prom Festival
From 6th to 8th July, Trim Castle Hotel hosts the return of the King John Summer Prom Festival. This year's spectacular production, Voyage – Ireland in Song, celebrates Ireland's musical heritage through breathtaking orchestral arrangements, storytelling and outstanding vocal performances featuring the Irish Philharmonic Concert Orchestra and an impressive line-up of Irish artists.
Find out more HERE!
Dino Day at Fairyhouse Racecourse
Families are in for a prehistoric adventure on 8th July during Dino Day at Fairyhouse Racecourse. Meet Tyson the T-Rex, watch dinosaur eggs hatch before your eyes, visit the National Reptile Zoo and enjoy face painting, bouncy castles and ice cream alongside an exciting afternoon of horse racing.
Find out more HERE!
The Piano Man Live
Music lovers can enjoy The Piano Man by Candlelight in Kells on 10th July. Featuring the timeless music of Elton John and Billy Joel, this atmospheric concert promises an evening packed with classic hits performed in a beautiful candlelit setting.
Find out more HERE!
Cusack Hotel Group & Navan Racecourse Family Day
On 11th July, Navan Racecourse hosts one of its biggest family events of the year. Alongside seven thrilling races, visitors can enjoy a packed programme including bouncy castles, pony races, petting farms, face painting, lawn games, treasure hunts, children's discos, racing simulators and much more. Children under 14 are admitted free when accompanied by an adult.
Find out more HERE!
Ray Bubbles – The Ultimate Bubble Show
International Bubbleologist and Guinness World Record holder Ray Bubbles arrives at Droichead Arts Centre on 11th July with a spectacular show featuring bubble tornadoes, giant bubbles, bubble sculptures and plenty of audience interaction. Suitable for all ages, the performance is also designed to be welcoming for neurodivergent audiences and visitors with additional needs.
Find out more HERE!
Kells SummerFest 2026
Kells SummerFest gets underway on 11th July with an evening of live music in The Garden featuring The Highwaymen Reincarnated and Tennessee Whiskey – The Ultimate Chris Stapleton Tribute Show. It's the perfect night out for country music fans looking to enjoy fantastic live entertainment.
Find out more HERE!
Living History at Oldbridge – Victorian Summer
Step back into the nineteenth century on 12th July during a special Victorian Living History experience at Oldbridge House. Guided by Time Steps Living History, visitors can discover life on the estate during the Victorian era through fascinating stories, costumed interpreters and guided walks through the historic grounds.
Find out more HERE!
Brunch with Drag Queens
Enjoy an afternoon of laughter, music and entertainment in Kells on 12th July with Brunch featuring Divalicious and Fifi Fondue. Expect live performances, comedy, bingo, audience interaction and plenty of fun in this colourful summer event.
Find out more HERE!
Family Fun Day – Kells SummerFest
Continue the SummerFest celebrations on 12th July with a free Family Fun Day featuring live music, games, face painting, magic shows, delicious food, refreshments and entertainment throughout the afternoon. It's a fantastic day out for visitors of all ages.
Find out more HERE!
Rock Farm Slane – Luke Combs Concert Glamping
Planning to attend the Luke Combs concerts? Rock Farm Slane offers the perfect way to turn the weekend into a memorable escape. Stay in luxury yurts, shepherd huts or bell tents on the beautiful Slane Castle Estate from 17th to 19th July, enjoying campfires, countryside views and easy access to the concert venue.
Find out more HERE!
Luke Combs at Slane Castle & Hospitality Packages
One of Ireland's biggest concerts of 2026 arrives at Slane Castle on 18th and 19th July as country music superstar Luke Combs brings his My Kinda Saturday Night Tour to the Boyne Valley. Joined by The Script, Ty Myers and The Castellows, fans can also upgrade their experience with premium hospitality packages including grandstand seating, exclusive parking, dedicated entrances and hospitality facilities.
Find out more HERE!
Arts Day at Larchill Gardens
Celebrate Irish creativity at Larchill Gardens on 18th July during a family-friendly festival filled with music, storytelling, poetry, workshops and children's activities. Set within Ireland's only surviving complete ferme ornée, the event combines beautiful surroundings with a vibrant programme celebrating art, heritage and nature.
Find out more HERE!
Fairy Festival at Loughcrew Gardens
Magic fills the air at Loughcrew Gardens on 18th and 19th July during the enchanting Fairy Festival. Families can meet fairies, unicorns and mermaids, enjoy storytelling, live music, craft workshops, aerial performances, bubbles, artisan stalls and delicious food. Children are encouraged to dress as their favourite magical characters for an unforgettable weekend.
Find out more HERE!
Living History – Bringing the 17th Century to Life
Return to Oldbridge House on 19th July for another fascinating Living History event. Meet musketeers, artillery gunners, blacksmiths, monks and soldiers as they recreate seventeenth-century military life. Visitors can also join a guided battlefield walk exploring the tactics and personalities behind the Battle of the Boyne.
Find out more HERE!
Boyne Music Festival 2026
Running from 22nd to 26th July, the Boyne Music Festival presents an inspiring programme of concerts, poetry, workshops, family events, tours, talks and film screenings across Townley Hall, Slane Castle and Drogheda. This year's theme, Forgotten Spaces, explores architecture, heritage and the places that shape our communities through music and creativity.
Festival highlights include the Opening Concert Echoes, Foundations, New Pathways, guided tours of Townley Hall, children's workshops, Peter and the Wolf, an amateur strings workshop, poetry writing sessions and the award-winning documentary Leave Only Footprints.
Find out more HERE!
Boyne Music Festival – Pre-Concert Dining at Slane Castle
Before the festival's opening concert on 23rd July, enjoy an exclusive three-course pre-concert dinner in the elegant Gandon Room at Slane Castle. Showcasing fine local ingredients in one of the castle's most beautiful rooms, this intimate dining experience provides the perfect start to an unforgettable evening of music. Advance booking is highly recommended due to limited availability.
Find out more HERE!
Seanchoíche Storytelling Night
Seanchoíche (pronounced Shanna-Key-Huh) a storytelling night is coming to Slane Castle on the 25th of July
All stories told revolve around the same theme. Stories can be personal anecdotes based on your own experience, or the experience of someone in your life, they can be fictional pieces, they can be monologues or anything that you consider a story. Find out more here.
Take Me to the River 2026
The award-winning Take Me to the River project continues throughout July, bringing together art, science and environmental awareness to celebrate County Meath's rivers and waterways. Although the Ancient Rhythm Connect event at Girley Bog on 26th July is now fully booked, the wider project continues to inspire communities through creative workshops, storytelling, ecological exploration and artistic responses to the Boyne and River Nanny, encouraging visitors to connect with the region's natural heritage in meaningful new ways.
Find out more HERE!
Whether you're enjoying family festivals, discovering centuries of history, attending world-class concerts, exploring local markets or simply making the most of the long summer days, July is an exceptional time to experience everything the Boyne Valley has to offer. With such a diverse calendar of events taking place across the region, there's every reason to stay a little longer, explore somewhere new and create lasting summer memories.
Be sure to book tickets early for the most popular events, particularly concerts, festivals and family experiences, and start planning your July adventure in the Boyne Valley today.
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