June bank holiday in Kildare: From vintage car rallies to boat trips - here are our top five things to do

June bank holiday weekend planning is encouraged with family-friendly events across Co Kildare. June Fest 2026 runs from Friday, May 29 until Saturday, June 7 in Newbridge and offers 40 community events covering music, dance, exhibitions, history, crafts, talks, and workshops. Highlights include the Newbridge Festival of Dance on Saturday, May 30, Picnic in the Park at Liffey Linear Park and live music at Market Square on Sunday, May 31, and a family fun day on bank holiday Monday, June 1, featuring Comic Con in the Town Hall. The Gordon Bennett Irish Classic Run 2026 follows a historic 1903 route through Laois, Carlow, and Kildare, with departures from Treacys the Heath and stops at scenic locations and classic car collections.

"June Fest 2026 Running from Friday, May 29 until Saturday, June 7 in Newbridge in Co Kildare is June Fest 2026. The festival has a staggering 40 community events on offer, including music, dance, exhibitions, history, crafts, talks, workshops and much more. Festival highlights include the Newbridge Festival of Dance in Newbridge Town Hall on Saturday, May 30; Picnic in the Park at the Liffey Linear Park and a night of live music at Market Square on Sunday, May 31 and a family fun day on bank holiday Monday, June 1, on the Main Street in Newbridge with Comic Con in the Town Hall."

"Gordon Bennett Irish Classic Run 2026 The Gordon Bennett classic car run takes place over the June Bank Holiday weekend and travels through the counties of Laois, Carlow and Kildare, all three of which were chosen for the original 1903 race called the Gordon Bennett Cup which was the first international motor race to be held in Ireland. This historic route runs through many interesting and scenic locations, including in Kildare. On Saturday, May 30, the vintage car run will depart from Treacys the Heath at 11am and wind their way down through the Laois and Kildare countryside, before stopping at the day's entertainment at a private collection of historic and classic cars of Brian King at Grangecon Stud Farm."

Read at Irish Independent