Max HeyraudBeyond The Pale returns to Glendalough Estate from 12–14 June 2026 with its most ambitious arts programme to date, spanning more than 90 artworks and events, over 600 artists and performers, and 12 stages and areas across the Wicklow landscape.
Now in its fifth edition, the festival continues to blur the lines between contemporary performance, immersive installation, club culture and participatory spectacle, under a curatorial ethos of “the silly, the sexy and the sublime.” This year introduces major new commissions, including a bespoke digital work by Sergey Khadshava and Undercurrent, a large-scale flag installation by AmyRose Bryan, alongside new site developments such as Burning Circus, a fire-arts space beside the SUN-STOP stone circle, and the Global Solidarity Hub in the expanded Lakeside area.
Programming includes works such as Una Mullally’s Grianstad: The Trip, charity-led participatory intervention Penos for Palestine, and the return of Seán Ronayne’s birdwatching walk, alongside a teased secret guest closing set at Puc Fada. Late-night culture remains central, with appearances from Hugo Hamlet, EGG, Haus of Wig, Tender, Trad Rave and others, plus Irish artists including Æ MAK, Salamay and Shakalak.
Artist-led collectives shape key strands of the programme, from WRGRIOT’s Talkatives to Steo Wall’s The Pavee Club, Outstraight Records’ hip-hop takeover, and Shane Daniel Byrne’s returning Comedy Shithouse. The festival is structured around three thematic threads, Outlandish Behaviour, Juicy Ideas and Ultimate Craic, spanning everything from immersive cabaret and underground club nights to experimental theatre, talks and large-scale outdoor games.
Further additions include Acushla wellness, expanded food programming curated by Ali Dunworth, and a Global Solidarity Hub developed with GOAL Global, Trócaire and Sightsavers Ireland.
You can purchase Weekend tickets and Sunday day passes here.
