BTP’s arts programme has been announced: world premieres, new areas and outlandish behaviour in Wicklow this June.
Beyond The Pale returns to the Glendalough Estate in Co. Wicklow from Friday June 12th to Sunday June 14th 2026, and the arts programme for the fifth edition has just been announced. Over 90 artworks and events, more than 600 artists and performers, across 12 stages and areas – it’s the festival’s most ambitious programme to date.
Beyond The Pale recently 30 new acts and the day-by-day lineup.
Arts programme director Jenny Jennings, co-creator of THISISPOPBABY, describes the edition as “rooted in the silly, the sexy and the sublime.” That framing shapes everything from the major commissions down to the late-night happenings and artist-led takeovers.
Major art commissions and new spaces
Two major commissions anchor this year’s visual programme. Sergey Khadshava – the artist whose digital mapping of a brutalist water tower turned DJ booth at Night and Day was a hit – creates a bespoke digital artwork for the festival. Undercurrent, a series of bespoke festival flags by AmyRose Bryan, provides the visual backdrop across the site.
New areas expand the festival’s geography significantly:
- Burning Circus – dedicated fire-arts space beside the SUN-STOP stone circle
- The Global Solidarity Hub – new Lakeside area, run with GOAL Global, Trócaire and Sightsavers Ireland, offering music, spoken word and workshops
- Hi Pony! – Beyond The Pale’s aerial arts home, moving into a larger space with its most ambitious programme yet
- Bang Bike – returning with an all-weekend Analogue Bubble Bath extravaganza
- Acushla, the festival’s wellness area returns
Headline events and special performances
- Una Mullally – Grianstad: The Trip (immersive audio experience)
- Penos for Palestine – charity event in partnership with GOAL Global
- Tender, Trad Rave and Big Fat Slut: SexyTadhg Takeover – late-night collectives
- Birdwatching Walk and Talk with Seán Roynane
- Secret special guest closing Puc Fada on Saturday night (described as a giant of Irish electronic production)
- Paahto and The Bull – new project from John Francis Flynn
- Æ MAK – premiering her new album live Folk Songs For Mama and Papa
- Salamay – Cork hip-hop artist
- Shakalak – Dublin poetician rock band closing a late-night area Monday morning
- Hugo Hamlet – international showman and shaman
- EGG – cult cabaret
- Haus of Wig – high-energy showstoppers
Artist-led curation at Beyond The Pale 2026
- WRGRIOT – festival edition of Talkatives poetry slam
- Steo Wall – The Pavee Club, celebrating the musical lineage of the Irish Traveller community
- Outstraight Records – Dublin hip-hop takeover
- Shane Daniel Byrne’s Comedy Shithouse – alternative comedy lineup
Outlandish Behaviour: theatre, queer nights and dark cabaret
- Hoes of Tralee Opening Extravaganza
- RATHAUS – immersive queer underground club night with DJs, dancers and performers
- Monsieur Pompier’s Travelling Freakshow – synth-punk, dark cabaret and fever-dream psychedelia
- Cabáiste Cabaret – cabaret and Gaeilge-fuelled mischief
- Climbwallscabaret – burlesque with live band Lavery and circus performers
Juicy Ideas: theatre, dance and conversation
- Fishamble’s Playing Field – work-in-progress performances from Cian Kinsella (Lord of Strut), Tierra Porter and Leanne Bickerdike
- NAF Dance – Ham Sandwiches and Discipline, GAA culture meets disco and comedy
- Jaxbanded Theatre – Undercovers, musical-comedy set in the world of undercover Gardaí and rave culture
- Silver Salon – Una Mullally in conversation with Julie Fogarty about Plan, Life, Go
- Plámásing (hosted by Fionn Phelan) – featuring Irvine Welsh, Aoife Dunne, How I Became a Wave and a surprise guest
Ultimate Craic: family, nature and competitions
- Battles of the Clans – spear throwing, tug of war and ancestral competitions
- The Den – nature workshops from Scouting Ireland and Forest School, forest-floor crafting and outdoor skills.
Food at Beyond The Pale 2026
Beyond the Plate returns with The Spice Bag Edition, curated by Ali Dunworth. Three Dublin restaurants confirmed:
- Host (Ranelagh) – primal, fire-led cooking and shared plates
- Reggie’s (Rathmines) – signature pizza pies
- Ibíle – bold West African flavours and spice-driven sharing dishes
Sittings limited to three per restaurant per day. Bookings at itsbeyondthepale.ie/restaurants.
Tickets and practical information
Beyond The Pale 2026 runs Friday June 12th to Sunday June 14th at the Glendalough Estate, Co. Wicklow. Weekend camping tickets and Sunday day tickets on sale now at itsbeyondthepale.ie and Ticketmaster. Two-payment instalment plans available until Monday May 4th. Further lineups across music, wellness and festival experience to be announced.
Niall Byrne is the founder of the most-influential Irish music site Nialler9, where he has been writing about music since 2005. He is the co-host of the Nialler9 Podcast and has written for the Irish Times, Irish Independent, Sunday Times, Totally Dublin, Cara Magazine, Red Bull and more. Niall is a DJ, co-founder of Lumo Club, event curator, Indie Sleaze club promoter, and producer of gigs and monthly listening parties & events in Dublin.
