From spice-driven festival feasting to polished opera picnics, these are the events worth traveling for and, crucially, booking early. If there’s a theme, it’s this: food is no longer the sideshow. Whether you’re booking a long table dinner, a chef collaboration or simply eating your way through a market, these festivals reward a healthy appetite.

Waterford Festival of Food

Running from April 23-26, this is one of the country’s most quietly brilliant food festivals that’s expanding into Waterford City for the first time. The real draw is the one-off dining experiences. Think: the team from Ashford Castle paired with Eric Matthews at the House of Waterford or Paul Flynn hosting Uno Mas at The Tannery for what will be its final festival appearance. Elsewhere, Café Paradiso pops up, Sham Hanifa lands in Cass and Co, and Mount Congreve hosts a beautifully considered garden to plate long table lunch. Beyond the headline meals, there are Bus Bia tours through the Blackwater Valley, foraging in the Comeraghs and, of course, the Sunday market which remains one long, delicious graze. @waterfordfestivaloffood

Ballymaloe Festival of Food

From May 15-17, Ballymaloe does what it does best, bringing together big names and genuinely interesting food in a setting that still feels relaxed. The Woodshed dinners are always the hottest tickets, with London duo The Fat Badger and Homestead Cottage chef Robbie McCauley leading the charge this year. Ed Wilson of Brawn brings a slice of London, while dim sum brunches and more long table feasts keep things varied. Highlights include a Friday night dinner from James Henry of Le Doyenné and a lively Sunday lunch hosted by Thomasina Miers. Add in workshops – on everything from fermentation to chocolate – and you have a weekend that’s equal parts indulgent and informative. @ballymaloe_grainstore

WellFest, IMMA Dublin

This may be billed as a wellness festival, but the food offering is worth your attention. From May 10-11, WellFood stage brings together names like Janet Liu and Christina Soteriou for demos that feel achievable rather than aspirational, while Han Song Kim adds a Korean influence to the mix. Between workouts and talks, there’s plenty of genuinely good food to keep you fuelled, from lighter dishes to proper coffee stops. It’s busy and buzzy, but the food element gives it a welcome sense of balance. @wellfestirl

Beyond The Pale, Glendalough

From June 12-14, this Wicklow festival blends music, arts and a surprisingly strong food programme. This year’s Beyond the Plate series leans into global influences on Irish food, with a fun theme dubbed The Spice Bag Edition. The key bookings are the restaurant style residencies with Host, Reggie’s and Ibíle all offering dining experiences that go well beyond typical festival fare. Add in tastings, demos and a setting that practically insists you slow down, and it becomes a weekend where the food is every bit as compelling as the music. @beyondthepaleie

Blackwater Valley Opera Festival

For something more refined, this late May into early June festival pairs opera with seriously thoughtful dining. Eunice Power leads the formal Opera Dining at Lismore Castle, with a four course Don Giovanni menu served around the performance itself. There are also gourmet table picnics in the castle grounds, more relaxed options at Dromore Yard and a clever Opera and Dining package at Fuller’s Bistro paired with a performance of Acis and Galatea for €80 per person. It’s polished, romantic and designed to be savoured slowly. @b_v_o_f

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