Galway City Council's award-winning Climate Inspirations Festival will return to the city with brand new dates- Wednesday, 24 June to Sunday, 28 June 2026, bringing five days of creative, community-led events focused on climate action, sustainability and positive change.
Climate Inspirations – Communities in Action is the first climate festival of its kind organised by a local authority in Ireland. Delivered by Galway City Council’s Climate Action Team, the festival reimagines climate action through culture, creativity, and collaboration, harnessing Galway’s strengths in music, theatre, art, Gaeilge, food, and community engagement.
New for 2026, the festival will introduce its first-ever Choir Singing Competition, inviting 6 choirs from across Galway and beyond to raise their voices for the planet on Sunday 28 June in Fr Burke Park.
As part of the festival programme, the competition is open to choirs of all sizes, ages and musical styles. Participating choirs will perform two songs inspired by climate action and environmental sustainability, with creativity and interpretation encouraged.
The winning choir will receive a €300 prize, with runner-up prizes also available.
Tiarnan McCusker, Community Climate Action Officer with Galway City Council, said:
“When people come together to create something with their voices, they also create momentum for change. This choir competition is about more than music, it’s about bringing communities together to inspire hope, imagination and collective action for a more sustainable future.”
In addition to the choir competition, the 2026 Climate Inspirations Festival will centre on Fr. Burke Park, and feature a diverse programme of climate talks, workshops, live music and performance, Climate cocktail club, a community group fair, family-friendly activities, a melting pot-luck, and a 2nd-hand market. Confirmed speakers so far include presenter of RTE’s “Build Your Own Home”, Harrison Gardner, Professor John Sweeney, architect Roisin Murphy, author John Gibbons and acts Sharon Shannon, Jiggy, and DJ Sally Cinnamon. A full festival programme will be announced in the coming weeks.
The Climate Inspirations Festival supports the objectives of the Galway City Climate Action Plan 2024–2029, and has previously been recognised nationally, winning Festival of the Year at the Chambers Ireland Excellence in Local Government Awards.
Choirs are now invited to register for the Choir Singing Competition. If you would like to perform, please email climate@galwaycity.ie by COB Friday 29 May with your groups name and two song choices.
Performance slots are limited to 6, and early registration is encouraged.
To find out more or to register your choir, contact Climate@GalwayCity.ie