The Cork International Choral Festival, now in it’s 69th year is back for a five-day bank holiday extravaganza, kicking off today May 1st through to the 5th, 2024 with over 4,100 singers from 15 countries belting out tunes in 196 different events across the city.
Cork is the place to be for the sweet sounds of music in the run-up to and during the May bank holiday weekend, with the prestigious feature event for Irish choirs – Ireland’s Choir of the Year – taking place during the festival, along with an eclectic array of international competitions and musical styles set to be performed over the five days.
Here’s our top picks over the weekend:
Join 12 choirs (including some international groups from Germany, the UK, and Sweden!) for a free lunchtime concert on Saturday, May 4th, at the Marina Market. Free Fun at the Marina Market.
Explore the historic town of Cobh while enjoying top-notch choral performances. Eight choirs will be taking over the Cobh Heritage Centre, Bandstand, and Commodore Hotel on Saturday, May 4th, and Sunday, May 5th, at 1pm. Cobh Choral Trail.
Head to The Clayton Hotel on Saturday, May 4th, and Sunday, May 5th, for a chilled-out afternoon featuring performances by 50 choirs. Afternoon Delight at the Atrium.
These Cork locals (all MTU Cork School of Music grads) know how to put on a show. Catch their performance on Saturday, May 4th, at 1:10pm in Triskel Christchurch. Sing Along with Guys & Dolls.
This grand finale on Sunday, May 5th, at 8pm in Cork City Hall features 10 international choirs belting out their best. It’s guaranteed to be a showstopper.
So there you have it! Get ready for a weekend filled with amazing music, good vibes, and maybe even a little inspiration to join a choir yourself. Festival tickets for The Cork International Choral Festival 2024, running across Cork City and county from May 1st to 5th, 2024, can be booked now at Cork International Choral Festival – Bringing Cork to Life With Song Since 1954 (corkchoral.ie)
