Exciting news for artisan food producers and street food vendors across Ireland – market applications are now officially open for the 20th anniversary of Savour Kilkenny.
Taking place on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th October 2025, the much-loved Savour Market will once again return to The Parade, Kilkenny City, right in the heart of the Savour Kilkenny Food Festival. Set against the stunning backdrop of Kilkenny Castle, this vibrant open-air market is one of the festival’s biggest highlights, attracting food lovers from near and far for a weekend of tasting, shopping and celebration.
With 100 Artisan Food Producers and Street Food Vendors from all over Ireland, the Savour Market promises a feast for the senses. Visitors can expect everything from top-class street food and indulgent desserts to local Kilkenny produce and family-friendly treats.
Open from 10am to 9pm on Saturday and 10am to 6pm on Sunday, the market is free to attend and creates a lively festival atmosphere throughout the weekend. Beyond the stalls themselves, The Parade will be buzzing with activity, including cookery demonstrations, talks, sponsor activations, and the popular Craft Brewers and Distillers Marquee.
As part of Savour Kilkenny’s ongoing commitment to sustainability, this year’s festival will also feature a number of initiatives aimed at raising awareness and reducing environmental impact. More details on these will be announced soon.
If you would like to be part of this very special 20th anniversary celebration, now is the time to apply. Market applications are open until 5th May 2026.
Join us in Kilkenny this October for a weekend of outstanding food, great atmosphere and a truly memorable festival experience.
Savour Kilkenny, Ireland’s much-loved food festival, brings together the best of Irish food, culinary culture, and community every October. Whether you’re a local, visiting from elsewhere in Ireland, or coming from overseas, there are plenty of ways to make your journey smooth, sustainable, and enjoyable.
Travelling from Across Ireland, Kilkenny is extremely well connected by bus, train, and road. JJ Kavanagh, proud transport sponsor of Savour Kilkenny, operates several routes that serve the city. Their Route 717 (Clonmel – Kilkenny – Dublin City – Dublin Airport) now stops directly at MacDonagh Junction and Ormonde Rd. The closest stop to the Festival Quarter is Ormonde Rd, a 2 minute walk to Kilkenny Castle, the Savour Market, and many dining event locations.
If you prefer to travel by rail, Irish Rail operates a convenient service between Dublin Heuston and Waterford, stopping at Kilkenny MacDonagh Station. The journey from Dublin takes just over 90 minutes.
Travelling by Car, Kilkenny lies just off the M9 motorway, about 90 minutes from Dublin and approximately 30 minutes from Waterford, Tipperary or Carlow. Kilkenny County Council manages a range of on-street and off-street parking options, including the Ormonde multi-storey car park, a 1 minute walk from the festival.
Getting Around for Locals, the city’s compact layout makes walking, cycling, and taking the bus all great options. Kilkenny is a cycle-friendly city with bike parking around the city, closest to the festival at Canal Square. The city bus service (routes KK1 and KK2) provides reliable connections across the city.
Travelling from Overseas, the most common arrival point is Dublin Airport. From the airport, take the JJ Kavanagh Route 717 bus directly to Kilkenny, or travel into Dublin city and connect by train from Heuston Station. If arriving by sea, ferry routes with Stena Line and Irish Ferries connect Ireland with the UK and continental Europe.
Wherever you’re coming from, planning ahead will help you make the most of your Savour Kilkenny experience. For the latest festival updates, including venue maps and transport information, visit the Plan Your Visit section on savourkilkenny.com.
Travel Sponsor 2025: JJ Kavanagh & Sons.
Savour Kilkenny Food Festival is back this October Bank Holiday Weekend, transforming The Parade and Castle Road into a bustling hub of flavour, fun, and food discovery on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th of October 2025. This year’s Savour Market promises to be the biggest and most diverse yet with over 100 artisan food and drink stalls and the return of festival favourites including the Craft Brewers and Distillers Marquee, Savour and Taste Stage and the expansion of the Food Producer Pavilion.
Visitors can look forward to mouth-watering new additions, from the viral baked potatoes that have captured social media fame from the Irish Jacket Potato, to a rich selection of local and international cuisines from some of Ireland’s best street food vendors and artisan producers.
“The Savour Market is at the heart of our festival, it’s where some of the best food vendors come together for one weekend here in Kilkenny,” said Marian Flannery, Festival Director of Savour Kilkenny. “With more than 100 stalls, a fantastic mix of returning favourites and exciting newcomers, and the buzz of live cookery demonstrations, it’s set to be another fantastic weekend.”
The much-loved Craft Brewers and Distillers Marquee also makes a welcome return, showcasing Ireland’s best brewers and distillers. Visitors can meet the makers, sample their offering, and soak in the atmosphere with DJ Cleveland Mike.
Adding to the excitement, Avonmore, one of Kilkenny’s most iconic food brands, returns with an exciting tasting stand beside the Savour Stage, showcasing both new innovations and family favourites alongside interactive experiences, competitions, and prizes.
As Savour Kilkenny prepares to welcome food lovers from near and far this October Bank Holiday Weekend, organisers are calling on visitors to travel sustainably by walking, cycling, or using public transport to help make this year’s festival the greenest yet. Sustainability remains at the heart of Savour Kilkenny’s mission, with strong support from Kilkenny County Council and the festival’s official travel partner, JJ Kavanagh & Sons.
A recent Savour Kilkenny Night Time Market Survey revealed that 38% of visitors travelled by public transport last year, a positive figure organisers hope to increase even further.
“Savour Kilkenny is one of our city’s most anticipated events, and it’s a fantastic opportunity to showcase not only our local food culture but also our commitment to making greener choices,” said Ger Mullally, Festival Chairperson. “By walking, cycling, or taking public transport, visitors can enjoy a stress-free journey while helping to make Kilkenny greener and cleaner for everyone.”
Founded in 1919 in Urlingford, County Kilkenny, JJ Kavanagh is a leading coach company. As a festival sponsor, JJ Kavanagh & Sons is making it easier than ever to reach the festivities comfortably and sustainably.
For residents, there are plenty of easy, low-cost transport options. The KK1 and KK2 City Bus Routes connect residential areas like Loughboy, the Waterford Road, Castlecomer Road, MacDonagh Junction, and the city centre, providing frequent and affordable travel throughout the weekend.
So this October, skip the parking stress and join us the greener way, walk, cycle, or take public transport to savour every moment of your journey to Savour Kilkenny.
This October Bank Holiday Weekend, Kilkenny transforms into Ireland’s Home of Halloween, and Savour Kilkenny is turning up the heat with an incredible competition you won’t want to miss! We’ve teamed up with Visit Kilkenny and Kilkenny’s Home of Halloween to give one lucky winner the chance to enjoy the ultimate Savour Kilkenny escape, complete with a luxurious stay at the Pembroke Hotel, delicious dining, festival fun, and so much more.
Savour Kilkenny is one of Ireland’s premier food and drink festivals, celebrating the very best of local produce, culinary creativity, and community spirit. With over 80 events across the city, there’s something to delight every foodie. Just a one-minute walk from the Pembroke Hotel, the Festival Quarter will be buzzing with activity.
The Prize Includes: a 1-night stay for two at the elegant Pembroke Hotel, Kilkenny, including an award-winning breakfast; a €200 Shop Kilkenny voucher; return travel on Route 717 with JJ Kavanagh & Sons; 2 tickets to The Best of the Statham’s Supper Club Series; and 2 tickets to The Sharon Shannon Big Band in Cillin Hill on Sunday, 26th October 2025.
Why not make your weekend even better by travelling the greener way? Leave the car at home and hop on the super-convenient Route 717 service with JJ Kavanagh & Sons.
With Kilkenny crowned Ireland’s Home of Halloween, expect plenty of spooky surprises, delicious autumn flavours, and a festive atmosphere that blends food, fun, and folklore in the most enchanting way. Enter now for your chance to win the ultimate Savour Kilkenny getaway.
Due to overwhelming demand, a limited number of additional tickets for the Castle Park Concert with SPRINGSTEEN – A TRIBUTE will be released. Please note, once these additional tickets sell out, no further releases will be made.
The Castle Park Concert makes its much-anticipated return on Saturday, October 25th, as part of Savour the Night, a Kilkenny Night-Time Economy initiative. This open-air event, set against the stunning backdrop of Kilkenny Castle, will once again light up the city after dark with a performance by one of Ireland’s leading tribute bands.
In addition to the concert, the event will celebrate Kilkenny’s role as the ‘Home of Halloween’, with a costume competition. Ticket holders are invited to dress up and join the festivities, with the chance to win prizes including five individual €100 Shop Kilkenny Gift Cards for the Best Dressed Individual Costumes and a €300 prize for the Best Dressed Halloween Family.
This year’s concert is not only a celebration of food and culture but also an opportunity to support a community facility. Proceeds will go to Cois Nore, Kilkenny’s cancer support service, as they fundraise €2 million for their new facility on the Waterford Road.
Savour Kilkenny returns from the 24th to 27th of October with more than 80 events and a bustling 100-stall Savour Market. From cookery demos, talks, workshops, family fun, wellness activities, and community events, the festival brings Kilkenny to life across the October bank holiday weekend.
Kilkenny city centre’s Smithwick’s Experience was packed to the rafters last Friday night as Savour Kilkenny was launched for the nineteenth time. Local food producers, sponsors, business community leaders and local representatives were present as the most comprehensive programme yet was released, with many of the paid events revealed to have sold out or to be close to that.
Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council, Cllr. Mary Hilda Kavanagh said she was delighted to launch the festival programme: ‘Savour Kilkenny Festival has become a cornerstone of Kilkenny’s festival calendar and a leading light in Ireland’s food festival scene. I encourage everyone, locals and visitors alike, to come out and experience the magic of Savour Kilkenny.’
Festival Manager Marian Flannery said that the 2025 festival has been painstakingly put together: ‘You will all see from your brochure that we have another fantastic programme, with over 80 events and many new initiatives. New this year is our Wellness Day in Mountain View, walking and driving food tours across the city and county, as well as a Herbal Garden lunch and tour in Castlecomer.’
Chairperson of Savour Kilkenny’s voluntary committee, Ger Mullally, said he was delighted that the festival is upholding its high standards as it approaches two decades of celebration, acknowledging the leadership and foresight of the festival’s founders and the huge contribution of its sponsors, funders, Kilkenny County Council and public services.
As Savour Kilkenny Food Festival prepares to return this October Bank Holiday weekend, excitement is mounting with dining events proving to be more popular than ever. From Renaissance Banquets in Rothe House to intimate chef-led suppers in The Lady Helen, Statham’s and Butler House, exclusive dining events are filling up fast.
“We are delighted to see such strong demand this year,” said Marian Flannery, Festival Director of Savour Kilkenny. “The dining programme has always been a highlight of Savour, and the speed at which tickets are being snapped up shows how much people value these one-of-a-kind dining experiences.”
Highlights include the Michelin Star Cellar & Savour at The Lady Helen Restaurant at Mount Juliet Estate, the elegant Renaissance Banquet at Rothe House, and the culinary journey of Six Courses, Two Countries – Kilkenny Meets New Zealand at Butler House. The festival also caters to plant-based tastes with a Herbal Vegan Lunch Experience at Avalon House Hotel.
Beyond the dining programme, anticipation is high for new additions such as Kilkenny Food Tours, highlighting the city’s vibrant food scene, and Brewery Hops, celebrating the county’s producers and makers. Both will debut at the festival with immersive tastings and storytelling experiences.
Savour Kilkenny, now in its 19th year, continues to cement its place among Ireland’s premier food festivals, drawing tens of thousands of visitors from across the country and beyond. With record demand for dining events, organisers urge festival goers to secure tickets early to avoid disappointment.
The full event programme for the annual Savour Kilkenny Food Festival has officially been announced, and it promises to be as exciting as ever. Taking place over the October Bank Holiday Weekend, Savour Kilkenny will transform Ireland’s Medieval Capital into a bustling celebration of Irish food culture, sustainability, and community.
This year’s festival boasts over 80 events for food lovers, families, and festivalgoers of all ages, featuring cookery demos from Ireland’s top chefs and emerging talent, 100+ artisan producers and street food stalls, the return of the Craft Brewers and Distillers Marquee, kids’ workshops, wellness activities, and unique dining experiences, all set against the magical backdrop of medieval Kilkenny.
The Savour Village returns to The Parade, bringing with it 100+ artisan food, drink and street food stalls, the Craft Brewers & Distillers Marquee, and new for this year the Food Producers Pavilion, which puts a spotlight on small artisan food producers.
The Savour and Taste Stages will feature some of Ireland’s most recognisable chefs, including Rachel Allen, Kevin Dundon, Rory O’Connell, Paul Flynn, Sarah Butler, Edward Hayden, Sophie Morris, James Kavanagh and William Murray, with cookery demos and interactive talks that are free to attend.
Savour Kilkenny continues its commitment to sustainability through eco-friendly practices, food waste education, and strong support for local producers and chefs. Entry to the Savour Village is free, with ticketed experiences available to book online, make sure to book early to avoid disappointment, as these events sell out every year!
Health and Wellness is on the Savour agenda this bank holiday Monday with talks and workshops on key topics in nutrition for all stages in life.
Three free (but ticketed) events will take place on the Savour Stage on The Parade in Kilkenny city. They include a cookery demonstration on Gut Healing Foods with The Tummy Fairy, Ciara Turley, who is particularly enthusiastic about reducing sugar intake and incorporating whole foods into her recipes.
Registered Dietitian and Founder of Kilkenny’s ‘Nutri Vive’, Ellen Roche, will host a talk and workshop on “Nourishing Our Children”, guiding you through the essentials of fuelling your child’s growth, development, and learning.
Closing out is The Wellness Warrior, Catherine O’Keeffe, who will host “Living Your Best Life in Your 50s”, covering weight management, heart, bone and cognitive health, and how to optimise your health during menopause.
Other wellness events take place across the festival weekend, including ‘Yoga Brunch Bliss’ and ‘Pilates, Wine and Cheese’ sessions at Koru Wellness, and a Mindfulness, Food and Emotional Regulation workshop in the Avalon Hotel, Castlecomer.
Savour is delighted to offer such a diverse range of sessions focused on well-being, nutrition, and self-care, providing festival-goers with practical insights and tools so they can make positive changes in their lives.