Exclusive Homecoming Performance in Athy with Limited Tickets Available
Kildare County Council and the Brigid – Spirit of Kildare Festival 2026 are delighted to announce that one of Ireland’s biggest bands, Picture This, will headline this year’s celebrations. The band will return to their home county of Kildare for an unmissable performance in Dreamland Ballroom, Athy, on Friday, 30 January 2026.
The homecoming concert titled The Spirit of Kildare Sessions will see the chart-topping band perform an intimate set at this legendary venue in the heart of Kildare. Tickets for the event are priced at €25 and will go on sale in person at Dreamland Ballroom, Athy on the 6th of November from 12pm to 8pm.
Proudly delivered by Kildare County Council, the Brigid – Spirit of Kildare Festival 2026 will run from Thursday 29 January to Monday 2 February, offering a vibrant, five-day programme of music, art, culture, and family-friendly activities that celebrate Brigid’s enduring legacy and spirit.
Speaking about the announcement, Sonya Kavanagh, Chief Executive, Kildare County Council, said: “We are so proud to welcome Picture This back to their hometown for what promises to be an unforgettable night. The Brigid – Spirit of Kildare Festival continues to grow in scale and ambition each year, and this performance is our way of saying thank you to the people of Kildare for their incredible support. In recognition of that support, ticket prices have been kept low to ensure the event is as inclusive and accessible as possible, giving the local community the chance to come together and celebrate the spirit of Kildare in a really special way.”
Picture This also expressed their excitement to be part of the celebrations. saying; “We’ve been so proud to carry the town of Athy with us all over the world and take our love of our town and of our county to stages everywhere. We’re very excited to be able to grace the stage in our home town once more and not only that but in a venue as important to us as Dreamland.
Dreamland of course has hosted legends like Johnny Cash and Thin Lizzy for shows in the past but it is also a place where we spent so much of our youth. Whether it was playing indoor soccer or basketball or attending birthday parties. We’ve spent countless hours on the wooden floors of Dreamland. Of course spending so much time at Aontas Ogra next door too, a very important place in our lives and in shaping who we are today. We are overjoyed to be able to play this intimate show in celebration of St Brigid’s Day in the venue, town and county that we hold closest to our hearts.”
More headline acts and events will be announced in the coming weeks, with an exciting lineup of artists, performers, and family experiences set to join this year’s programme.
The 2026 programme builds on the success of previous years, offering a mix of free and ticketed events, designed to welcome all audiences and celebrate the best of Kildare’s culture and community. From morning events to late night performances, the festival will bring the county to life with live music, family fun, community events, cultural experiences, and large-scale spectacles across Kildare.
Many of this year’s highlights will take place at the festival hub called “Cruinniú Chill Dara” on the Kildare County Council grounds in Naas, with easy access and plenty of parking for visitors.