Roola Boola Children's Arts Festival 2026 - Castlebar

Two weeks of theatre, music, dance and hands-on creativity for young people, right in the heart of Castlebar this Halloween midterm.

Roola Boola is the Linenhall Arts Centre’s much-loved annual children’s arts festival and one of the longest-running festivals of its kind in Ireland. Each year it brings top-quality Irish and international children’s theatre, music and dance shows to Mayo, alongside puppetry, book readings, films, a family-friendly visual art exhibition and plenty of hands-on workshops where children get to make, play and create for themselves.

The festival is made with children aged 2 to 12 and their families in mind, so there’s something for toddlers, curious primary schoolers and grown-ups who are young at heart. Events run across the festival fortnight, with lots happening over the October bank holiday weekend, so it’s easy to fit a show or a workshop around the midterm break.

Everything takes place at the Linenhall Arts Centre on Linenhall Street, Castlebar, a beautiful 18th-century stone building just off the main shopping street and a short walk from Castlebar train station.

Events are low-cost or free, and some have limited places, so have a look at the full programme on the Linenhall website and book early for the shows you don’t want to miss.