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Explore the full program
Wander Wild Festival has announced more than 40 new events for its 2026 programme, bringing the total number of experiences across the weekend to over 160. Taking place from April 17 to 19 in the 26,000 acre UNESCO protected Killarney National Park, the festival blends outdoor adventure, culture, and wellness in one of Ireland’s most spectacular landscapes.
Now entering another year of growth, Wander Wild continues to build a programme that invites people to design their own weekend of exploration. Visitors can climb mountains, paddle across lakes, join creative workshops, or simply slow down and spend time in nature.
Mountain Adventures and Outdoor Experiences
Among the newly announced highlights is a Social Summit of Mangerton with adventurer Tadgh O’Brien, alongside a screening of Ellie Berry’s short film documenting her remarkable achievement of climbing all 275 Irish mountains over 600 metres. Her record breaking journey captured the attention of Ireland’s outdoor community.
For those keen to test themselves in the mountains, the programme also includes a mountain scrambling masterclass on some of Ireland’s most challenging ridges, guided trail running sessions, and exploratory hikes into lesser-known corners of Killarney National Park, including the remote Horses Glen.
Nature lovers can start the day with a Dawn Chorus Walk, tuning into the sounds of the park’s birdlife as the landscape wakes up.
Discovering Killarney’s Wild Landscapes
Several events focus on exploring the natural and historical layers of Killarney National Park.
New guided experiences include a Monastic Ruins, Temperate Woodlands and Waterfalls walk, which brings together heritage and landscape, alongside wild food foraging workshops and immersive guided hikes revealing hidden valleys, forests, and waterfalls across the park.
Another new event titled Echoes of Earth and Water combines a boat journey across the lakes with a guided walk through the surrounding landscape.
Fireside Stories, Music and Culture
Culture and storytelling remain central to the Wander Wild experience.
Evening events include a live Irish indie rock performance from Kean Kavanagh in St Mary’s Church, alongside a series of Fireside Chats where stories of resilience, exploration, and culture will be shared.
Speakers include adventurer Chris Barrett, sharing stories from the Arctic to the Amazon. Other events include appearances from members of the How to Gael trio, poetry and spoken word performances, SeanchoÃche storytelling sessions, and Focal and Fód, an event exploring Irish language and art.
Workshops focused on reflection and connection also feature on the programme, including the Mrs Mind Watcher Reset workshop and an intimate cacao ceremony centred around intention setting.
A Growing Programme for Families
Families are also a major focus of the festival, with an expanded Wildlings programme designed for younger explorers.
Highlights include a Family Folklore Walk with children’s author Barry Coleman, Yoga Óige sessions, parent and child sound baths, autism friendly walks, and a Kids Balance Bike Workshop.
Festival favourites such as Gruffalo adventure hunts and family orienteering will also return.
Festival Favourites Return
Explore the full program
The newly announced events join more than 120 experiences already scheduled across the three-day festival.
Returning highlights include guided hikes across the MacGillycuddy Reeks, the Coomloughra Horseshoe, and the historic Lost Sky Train site, as well as kayak tours on the lakes, stand up paddleboarding sessions, rock climbing, and guided bat walks.
Visitors can also take part in Rave ar Róthar, a cycling disco on wheels, sunrise lake dips, and lakeside sauna sessions at Dundag.
Throughout the weekend, Basecamp in Killarney town centre will host workshops, talks, stalls, and live entertainment.
A Festival Rooted in Nature
Organisers emphasise that Wander Wild remains a low-impact festival designed to celebrate the outdoors responsibly. Visitors are encouraged to travel sustainably and choose eco-conscious accommodation options to help minimise the event’s environmental footprint.
Tickets and Booking
Tickets for Wander Wild Festival 2026 range from €10 to €100, with several free events also included in the programme. With many events selling out during the 2025 festival, organisers are encouraging early booking. More events, spanning mountain adventures, lake activities, wellness sessions, and evening entertainment are expected to be announced in the coming months.
Explore the full program
Tickets and full programme details are available at wanderwildfestival.com.
Wander Wild Festival is supported by Fáilte Ireland, Kerry County Council, 53 Degrees North, Heineken 0.0, Pig’s Lane and a network of local businesses.
