24 September — 11 October
A person partially hidden behind blue curtains in front of tall stone columns, only their hand and feet visible.

A city transformed, imaginations ignited, by the most exciting theatre in the world right now.

18 days of theatre, all around Dublin.

Download Programme

Thank you for being part of Dublin Theatre Festival 2026.

What an extraordinary few weeks of theatre.

Thank you to our artists, audiences, partners and supporters for making this year’s Festival so special.

See you from 30 September – 16 October 2027 for Dublin Theatre Festival 2027

Two people in blue hats talk on a cobbled street, holding blue festival bags and brochures.

Get your Official Festival Merchandise

Shop Now

Festival Programme 2026

Meredith
ISLAccessible PerformancesIrish
Running in the Gate Theatre till Nov 1
An elderly woman sits on a chair in a garden whilst a younger woman stands behind her among the plants.
Gate Theatre
Meredith
Written by Erica Murray
Gate Theatre
25 Sep–11 Oct
ANIMALS
Irish
Running in the Abbey Theatre till Nov 7th
The Abbey Theatre
ANIMALS
From the short stories of Blindboyboatclub, Adapted and Directed by Dan Colley
The Abbey Theatre, on the Abbey Stage
23 Sep–10 Oct
visions
Irish
Running in the Abbey Theatre till Nov 14
IMAGE: PATRICIO CASSINONI
The Abbey Theatre
visions
Written by Eoghan Quinn
The Abbey Theatre, on the Peacock Stage
2–10 Oct
MAMI
Accessible PerformancesAudio DescriptionTouch TourTalking TheatreInternational
Finished Run
Mario Banushi
MAMI
Conceived by Mario Banushi
Samuel Beckett Theatre
10–11 Oct
4.48 Psychosis
ISLAccessible PerformancesIrish
Tickets available at Project Arts Centre
Blurred close-up of a man with mouth wide open, appearing to scream or shout, against a dark background.
Once Off Productions
4.48 Psychosis
Written by Sarah Kane and Directed by Tom Creed
Project Arts Centre (Cube)
6–11 Oct
REFUGE
ISLAccessible PerformancesIrish
Finished Run
Fishamble: The New Play Company & Staatstheater Mainz
REFUGE
Written by Deirdre Kinahan
Pavilion Theatre, Dún Laoghaire
30 Sep–11 Oct
Testament
Talking TheatreIrish
Finished Run
Performers in neutral costumes stand and play instruments on a minimalist stage with a lone woman in blue centre.
Irish National Opera
Testament
Created by Tarik O’Regan & Colm Tóibín
Gaiety Theatre
8–10 Oct
Lourdes! The Musical
ISLAccessible PerformancesTalking TheatreIrish
Finished Run
A man sitting in front of a woman who holds a crown and a piece of sky-patterned fabric above his head.
Xnthony Ltd
Lourdes! The Musical
Book & Lyrics by Xnthony
Music & Lyrics by Matthew Floyd Jones
Civic Theatre
25 Sep–10 Oct
La Parabole du Seum [Parable of The Sour]
Talking TheatreInternational
Finished Run
Two performers in gold wrestling gear embrace whilst covered in cream.
Compagnie Dans le Ventre
La Parabole du Seum [Parable of The Sour]
Concept and Text Rébecca Chaillon
Project Arts Centre (Space Upstairs)
8–10 Oct
The Brotherhood TRILOGIA CADELA FORÇA – Capítulo II
International
Finished Run
A person films two actors onstage; one actor pulls a silly face while sitting on the other’s lap.
Carolina Bianchi y Cara de Cavalo
The Brotherhood TRILOGIA CADELA FORÇA – Capítulo II
O'Reilly Theatre, Belvedere College
9–10 Oct
Let Me In
ISLAccessible PerformancesTalking TheatreIrish
Finished Run
Esosa Ighodaro / Dublin Municipal Theatre
Let Me In
Written and Directed by Esosa Ighodaro
Dublin Municipal Theatre at Smock Alley
2–10 Oct
Pram People
International
Finished Run
Polyglot Theatre Presented in partnership with The Ark
Pram People
Director Emily Tomlins
8–11 Oct
Cyclone
ISLAccessible PerformancesIrish
Finished Run
ANU
Cyclone
Written & Directed by Louise Lowe
1 Railway Court, Dublin 1
21 Sep–10 Oct
The Rachel Baptiste Programme: First Look
Show Business
Finished Run
The Rachel Baptiste Programme: First Look
Dublin Municipal Theatre at Smock Alley
9 Oct
The Next Stage
Show Business
Finished Run
Handwriting in notebook, Next Stage text overlay, Performing Arts Forum and logo in upper corners.
The Next Stage
24 Sep–11 Oct
Pan Pan International Mentorship Symposium Day
Show Business
Finished Run
A woman in a yellow skirt lies on her side on a yellow floor, eyes closed, looking distressed.
Pan Pan
Pan Pan International Mentorship Symposium Day
13th International Mentorship with Silvia Calderoni & Ilenia Caleo
Project Arts Centre (Cube)
9 Oct
Festival Forum: How was it for you?
Festival Forum
Finished Run
Festival Forum: How was it for you?
Project Arts Centre (Space Upstairs)
10 Oct
Young Critics Panel
Festival Forum
Finished Run
Four young people sit at a table with water bottles, smiling, at a Youth Theatre Ireland event.
Youth Theatre Ireland
Young Critics Panel
Project Arts Centre (Cube)
11 Oct
The Ark Anthology Launch
Show Business
Finished Run
Book cover titled Dream Big with blue sky and clouds, promoting new plays from The Ark, 2019–2025.
The Ark Anthology Launch
The Ark
International Theatre eXchange
Finished Run
International Theatre eXchange
1–2 Oct
Festival Forum: Body Horror
Festival Forum
Finished Run
Festival Forum: Body Horror
Dublin Municipal Theatre at Smock Alley
27 Sep
Hysterically Shopping!to Some Sort of End…
Accessible PerformancesAudio DescriptionTouch TourIrish
Finished Run
Glasshouse & Tasteinyourmouth
Hysterically Shopping!to Some Sort of End…
Composed by Aran O’Grady
Samuel Beckett Theatre
24–27 Sep
Dignity
ISLAccessible PerformancesIrish
Finished Run
AMANDA COOGAN WITH LIANNE QUIGLEY AND ALVEAN JONES IN COLLABORATION WITH DUBLIN THEATRE OF THE DEAF
Dignity
Written by Teresa Deevy
Project Arts Centre (Cube)
24–27 Sep
Heroes of Tomorrow
ISLAccessible PerformancesAudio DescriptionTouch TourTalking TheatreIrish
Finished Run
Brokentalkers (Ireland)
Heroes of Tomorrow
Written & Created by Feidlim Cannon, Gary Keegan & Andy Smith
Project Arts Centre (Space Upstairs)
25 Sep–4 Oct
ZINC
ISLAccessible PerformancesIrishInternational
Finished Run
Man in a cap and trainers reclines in a white bathtub onstage with another empty tub behind him.
Dead Centre & Théâtre de Liege
ZINC
Adapted from the book by David Van Reybrouck
O'Reilly Theatre, Belvedere College
1–4 Oct
TANZ
ISLAccessible PerformancesInternational
Finished Run
Florentina Holzinger
TANZ
Concept, Performance and Choreography by Florentina Holzinger
O'Reilly Theatre, Belvedere College
26–27 Sep
RADIO BETTE
Accessible PerformancesTalking TheatreOpen CaptioningInternational
Finished Run
The Goat Exchange
RADIO BETTE
Directed by Chloe Claudel and Mitchell Polonsky
Gaiety Theatre
23–27 Sep
Dublin’s Older Theatre History: A Walking Tour
Finished Run
Dublin’s Older Theatre History: A Walking Tour
30 Sep, 3 Oct
Power Play
ISLAccessible PerformancesTalking TheatreInternational
Finished Run
TR Warszawa
Power Play
Concept and Direction Samara Hersch
Samuel Beckett Theatre
1–3 Oct
Festival Forum: On Bodies & Borders
Festival Forum
Finished Run
Festival Forum: On Bodies & Borders
Project Arts Centre (Space Upstairs)
3 Oct
Festival Forum:
(dis) Ordered Publics
Festival Forum
Finished Run
Festival Forum:
(dis) Ordered Publics
Project Arts Centre (Space Upstairs)
4 Oct
In Development
Show Business
Finished Run
In Development
Dublin Municipal Theatre at Smock Alley
3 Oct
Bees
Accessible PerformancesRelaxed PerformanceInternational
Finished Run
Polyglot Theatre Presented in partnership with The Ark
Bees
Director Emily Tomlins
National Botanic Gardens
3–4 Oct
Festival Forum: Policy that Performs
Festival Forum
Finished Run
Festival Forum: Policy that Performs
Project Arts Centre (Space Upstairs)
29 Sep
Rebellious Hope
Accessible PerformancesAudio DescriptionIrish
Finished Run
Company Philip Connaughton & Once Off Productions
Rebellious Hope
Created, Choreographed and Directed by Philip Connaughton
Project Arts Centre (Cube)
30 Sep–4 Oct
Without Distinction of Sex
ISLAccessible PerformancesIrish
Finished Run
Once Off Productions & Draíocht Blanchardstown
Without Distinction of Sex
Concept, Text & Direction Veronica Coburn
Draíocht Main Auditorium, Blanchardstown
30 Sep–3 Oct
A Moon for the Misbegotten
Accessible PerformancesOpen CaptioningIrish
Finished Run
Druid
A Moon for the Misbegotten
Written by Eugene O'Neill and Directed by Garry Hynes
Gaiety Theatre
1–4 Oct
The Horse of Jenin
ISLAccessible PerformancesTalking TheatreInternational
Finished Run
The Horse of Jenin
by Alaa Shehada
Dublin Municipal Theatre at Smock Alley
24–26 Sep