Waterford City set for major summer boost as The Reg announces
The Churchyard Sessions 2026
Waterford’s summer events calendar is set for another major boost as The Reg has officially announced the return of its hugely popular summer music festival ‘The Churchyard Sessions’, bringing 23 nights of free live music to Bailey’s New Street from May through September 2026.
Following a standout 2025 season that attracted thousands of people to the Viking Triangle, The Churchyard Sessions have grown into one of the city’s most vibrant cultural gatherings, transforming the historic Greyfriars church on Bailey’s New Street into a lively outdoor music venue across the summer months.
The expanded 2026 programme will feature 6 Friday night headline concerts alongside a packed schedule of 17 consecutive Saturday evening performances, with support acts starting at 6.30 pm and headline performances beginning at 8 pm. Across the full season, the series is projected to attract well over 25,000 people into Waterford City, creating a significant economic opportunity for local tourism providers, hospitality venues, accommodation businesses and retailers.
As part of the launch of the 2026 programme, a group of tourism leaders, businesses, and creative collaborators from across Waterford are being invited to come together to explore ways to build visitor experiences and tourism packages around the events. The initiative is designed to encourage visitors to extend their stay in the city while supporting restaurants, pubs, cafés, hotels and attractions throughout the Viking Triangle and wider city centre.
With additional Friday concerts and an expanded schedule in 2026, organisers believe the programme will comfortably exceed 25,000 attendees and continue to strengthen Waterford’s reputation as a cultural and entertainment destination during the summer months, delivering strong evening footfall and business activity across the city centre.
Joe Monaghan, Event organiser at The Reg, said The Churchyard Sessions have become an important part of the city’s summer energy and economic activity. “The Churchyard Sessions started as a way of bringing people together through free live music gigs in one of the most historic parts of the city, but over the past few years, it has grown into something much bigger. Every event night, you see thousands of people coming into the city centre, enjoying the music and supporting local businesses before and after the shows.”
He added that the collaboration between local businesses and tourism partners is central to the continued success of the series and driving the tourism economy in Waterford. “This is about more than just music. It’s about creating atmosphere, generating footfall and showcasing Waterford at its very best. When the tourism sector, hospitality businesses and cultural partners work together around events like this, it creates real momentum for the city and encourages visitors to spend more time here.”
The 2026 lineup will feature a strong mix of local favourites, established performers and energetic tribute acts across the summer season, with a vibrant mix of crowd favourites, high-energy tribute acts and popular live bands performing across the summer months from May through September.
Friday night headline shows will include performances from Woody, The Bad Shirts, Low Key, Last Call, Spraoi and No Hot Ashes, delivering a strong mix of rock, indie and festival-style performances that are expected to draw large evening crowds into the city centre.
Saturday nights will showcase an even broader lineup of well-known live acts, including Alan & The Aftershocks, Suzie Q, The Knockadollys, The Circus Ponies and Thank Funk early in the season, followed by performances from Toucan, The Pearly Whites, The Papa Zitas, Blessed, Brass & Co., and Rugged Little Pill as the summer continues.
As the programme moves into August, audiences can look forward to energetic tribute and party bands including Spraoi, Mad Ferritt, The Unusual Suspects and Legendary Bon Jovi, before the series concludes in early September with a special headline performance from Irish singer-songwriter Paddy Casey.
Running from May 16 to September 5, the lineup has been carefully curated to showcase a diverse mix of musical styles and high-energy live performances, all completely free of charge with no tickets needed. The Churchyard Sessions promise to be one of Waterford’s most vibrant and accessible music events of the summer, pairing the best of local & national talent with outdoor bars, a fun & welcoming atmosphere, and a natural outdoor amphitheatre like no other.
Full lineup details and event updates will be available via The Reg’s social media channels and at @thechurchyardsessions.
Brought to you by The Reg and supported by Waterford City and County Council.
ARTICLE CREDIT; POWERHOUSE PR
