New name, new venues and new acts to be revealed at official festival launch on Monday, 12th October

Carlow Comedy Festival is back from Thursday, 3rd to Sunday, 6th December 2026, and this year the festival is getting a major makeover with a new name, new venues, new acts and an expanded countywide programme.

Folklore, fire, live music, theatre, film and free family experiences will transform VISUAL this October.
This Samhain, VISUAL Carlow becomes a threshold between our world and the Otherworld, with a packed programme of music, theatre, storytelling, spectacle, cinema and family events taking place from Thursday 22 October to Sunday 1 November 2026.

Some of Ireland's most respected figures from the worlds of business and sport will gather in Carlow this November for the second annual Club Carlow Business Summit, an event designed to inspire ambition, strengthen business networks, and explore the leadership qualities needed to succeed in an increasingly challenging environment.

A strong County Carlow delegation has participated in the final conference of the Interreg Europe InnoCom project in Brussels, bringing together policymakers, enterprise support organisations and regional partners from across Europe to share learning on how public bodies can better communicate with, engage and support small and medium-sized enterprises.

County Carlow Chamber of Commerce announces winners of this year's Carlow Business Awards, sponsored by Carlow County Council.

Last night (the 24th of September 2026) saw the announcement of all 26 winners of the Carlow Business Awards at a gala event in VISUAL, Carlow.  The event was a celebration of all the businesses that participated in the competition, that made the finals and that took home trophies.

Featuring over 40 events across the county, this year's programme brings together community groups, schools, businesses, organisations, and residents to showcase the many ways climate action is making a positive impact in Carlow.

Browse the programme of public events and find events that interest you!

This Halloween, The Exchange in Carlow is set to be transformed into a world of dragons, fire and theatrical spectacle as Samhain Festival 26 @ The Exchange: Dragon Experience takes place on 26 and 27 October 2026.

Carlow Conversations – Etched in Stone is a creative workshop with artist Máiréad Holohan developed by Carlow County Council Heritage Office, as part of Cultúr 2026, celebrating Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

Carlow’s spectacular new Samhain experience promises a night of fire, wonder and family entertainment

The next round of tickets for FIRE NIGHT which will be held on Friday 23rd October 2026 will be released on Thursday, 1st October, following an exceptional response which has already seen more than 1,500 people book to attend.

The Local Enterprise Offices of Carlow and Kilkenny County Councils are inviting female founders and business leaders across the region to come together for National Women's Enterprise Day 2026, a landmark celebration marking twenty years of women in Irish business. The event takes place on Thursday 15th October at the Woodford Dolmen Hotel, Carlow, from 11.45am to 2pm. Places are strictly limited and registration is essential, so early booking is strongly advised.

A brand-new festival experience is coming to County Carlow this Halloween weekend as The Big Barn Bash - Carlow's Family Food Festival makes its debut at Coppenagh House Farm on Saturday 31 October and Sunday 1 November 2026.

The Big Barn Bash – Family Food Festival will bring two days of food, family fun, outdoor activity and entertainment to Carlow on Saturday, 31 October and Sunday, 1 November 2026.

A brand-new festival experience for Carlow, The Big Barn Bash is being brought to life through a partnership between Carlow County Council, Coppenagh House Farm, Carlow Tourism and Active Carlow, with the development of the festival supported by Fáilte Ireland.