Dublin's Liffey Festival 2026: What to See, How to Get There & More
The River Liffey is taking centre stage this September.
On Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September, Dublin's Liffey Festival will bring the river and Docklands to life with watersports, live entertainment, Tall Ships, storytelling, family activities and plenty happening along the quays. The festival runs from 12pm to 6pm each day and is free to attend, with some individual activities requiring booking.
And if you're heading along, we've got a pretty good way to get there. The DoDublin Docklands Tour takes you right into the heart of the Docklands, with stops close to the festival and some of the area's biggest attractions.
Here's what to see, where to go and how we'd make a day of Liffey Festival.
What to see at Liffey Festival
Liffey Festival takes place across Custom House Quay, George's Dock, Sir John Rogerson's Quay and the River Liffey, so there will be plenty to see and do across the weekend.
Here are some of the highlights to look out for.
The 106th Liffey Swim
The 106th Liffey Swim - one of Dublin's best-known sporting traditions, will see swimmers make their way through the heart of Dublin, making this a brilliant event to catch if you're visiting for the weekend.
Tall Ships and boats
The Liffey will be busier than usual, with visiting vessels adding to the festival atmosphere.
The Pelican of London will be among the vessels taking part, alongside other boats and maritime activities. There will also be opportunities to learn more about Dublin's relationship with the river and its maritime history.
Get on the Liffey
Fancy getting on the Liffey is another instead of just watching from the quays? HQ2O Watersports will be taking part in the festival, offering visitors the chance to experience the river for themselves.
HQ2O's Hydrobike experience lets you pedal your way along the River Liffey on a stable, easy-to-use water bike. The experience lasts approximately 40 minutes, requires no previous experience and is suitable for beginners.
Look to the skies
Keep an eye on the sky throughout the weekend for aerial and jet-pack displays over the River Liffey.
Because apparently, Dublin's Docklands wasn't exciting enough already.
Music, stories and family fun
There's more than just what's happening on the water. Expect live music, street theatre, family entertainment, craft activities, fairground attractions and food and drink across the festival area. There will also be storytelling and heritage events exploring the history of the Liffey, Dublin's dock workers, Viking heritage and the biodiversity of the river.
Don't miss the Liffey Festival Flotilla
On Sunday 13 September, local boats, rowing clubs and community vessels will come together at Custom House Quay for the Liffey Festival Flotilla. The boats will travel along the Liffey towards Dublin Port, accompanied by an eight-piece orchestral and vocal performance from Glasshouse Ensemble. It's one to have on your Sunday itinerary.
Getting to Liffey Festival: Make a day of it
Here's our biggest tip: don't just go to the festival. Explore the Docklands.
Liffey Festival stretches across several locations, so having an easy way to explore the area means you can spend less time figuring out transport and more time enjoying Dublin.
That's where the DoDublin Docklands Tour comes in.
The Docklands Tour departs from Parnell Square North and takes you through the Docklands with live commentary, stopping at some of the area's biggest attractions along the way. The Docklands Tour is included with your Original Hop-On Hop-Off ticket.
Stop D: Custom House Quay
If you're heading to Liffey Festival, Stop D is the one to remember.
Hop off at Custom House Quay and you're right in the heart of the festival area.
It's also your stop for some of Dublin's most important Docklands attractions, including:
EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum
The Famine Memorial
The Jeanie Johnston
The Custom House
And with festival activity taking place along the river, it's a great place to start exploring on foot.
On Sunday, Stop D is also the place to be for the Liffey Festival Flotilla, which gathers at Custom House Quay before travelling along the river towards Dublin Port.
Stop E: Spencer Hotel
Stay on the Docklands route and you'll reach Stop E at the Spencer Hotel.
This is a good stop for seeing some of modern Dublin's most recognisable architecture, including the Convention Centre Dublin and Samuel Beckett Bridge.
It gives you a different side of the Docklands, where the city's maritime history meets its modern skyline. Do Dublin.
Stop F: Cardiff Lane
Heading further into the Docklands? Stop F at Cardiff Lane is the one to remember.
From here, you're close to Grand Canal Square and the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre. It's also your stop for Windmill Lane Recording Studios, which is just a short walk away.
While you're exploring the Docklands, check out Windmill Lane
If you're visiting Dublin during Liffey Festival, why not add a little music history to your day? Windmill Lane Recording Studios has been at the heart of Dublin's music scene for decades and is closely associated with some of the biggest names in music, including U2.
The DoDublin Windmill Lane + 24 Hour City Tour combo includes your Hop-On Hop-Off ticket, the Docklands Tour and a visit to Windmill Lane, with savings compared with buying separately. The nearest DoDublin stop is Stop F at Cardiff Lane.
So you can watch the action on the Liffey, explore the Docklands and then step inside one of Dublin's most famous recording studios. Not a bad day out.
Make a full day of Liffey Festival with DoDublin
If we were planning a Liffey Festival day, we'd do something like this.
Start in the city centre.
Board the DoDublin Docklands Tour at Parnell Square North and take in the sights as you make your way towards the river.
Hop off at Stop D: Custom House Quay.
You're now right in the middle of the festival action.
Spend some time exploring the quays, watching the river activities and checking out the visiting vessels.
Explore the Docklands.
Visit EPIC, see the Famine Memorial and step aboard the Jeanie Johnston before continuing along the river.
Hop back on.
Continue towards Stop E and Stop F to see the Convention Centre, Samuel Beckett Bridge and Grand Canal Square.
Hop off at Stop F: Cardiff Lane.
Explore Grand Canal Square or head to Windmill Lane Recording Studios.
Then get on the Liffey.
Finish your Docklands adventure with HQ2O Watersports.
You've seen the Liffey from the top deck.
Now it's time to get on it.
Make a weekend of it with a 48-hour ticket
Liffey Festival takes place across two days, so why try to squeeze everything into one afternoon?
A 48-hour DoDublin Hop-On Hop-Off ticket gives you more time to explore Dublin across the weekend, with the flexibility to hop on and off while you discover the city.
Spend Saturday exploring the city centre and Docklands before heading to the festival.
Then come back on Sunday for the Liffey Festival Flotilla and anything you missed the day before.
And if you're travelling as a pair, check out our 2-for-1 offer for an even easier way to explore Dublin together.
Liffey Festival Dublin 2026 FAQ
When is Liffey Festival 2026?
Liffey Festival takes place on 12 and 13 September 2026, from 12pm to 6pm each day.
Where is Liffey Festival?
The festival takes place across Dublin's Docklands, including Custom House Quay, George's Dock, Sir John Rogerson's Quay and the River Liffey.
Is Liffey Festival free?
Yes. Liffey Festival is free to attend, although some activities may require booking or payment.
What can I do at Liffey Festival?
Highlights include the 106th Liffey Swim, Tall Ships, watersports, aerial displays, live music, family activities and the Liffey Festival Flotilla.
Which DoDublin stop is best for Liffey Festival?
Stop D at Custom House Quay is the closest DoDublin Docklands Tour stop to the main festival area.
Can I get on the River Liffey?
Yes. HQ2O Watersports offers Hydrobike experiences on the River Liffey, with no previous experience required.
Can I visit Windmill Lane by DoDublin?
Yes. Stop F at Cardiff Lane is a short walk from Windmill Lane Recording Studios, and DoDublin offers a Windmill Lane + 24 Hour City Tour combo.
