Entertainment
End-Of-Summer Survival Guide
Make this September one to remember
The tents are being bundled back into attics, marquees are coming down, and festival stages are starting to disappear one by one. But don’t you worry, plenty is happening in September to chase away that pesky end-of-summer sadness. We’ve put together a list for all tastes, from hip-hop to folk, to sport, theatre, wellness and everything in between. Whatever you’re into, September is serving up spectacular events all month long.
Mean Girls
BORD GÁIS ENERGY THEATRE | 25 AUGUST – 5 SEPTEMBER
You CAN sit with us! Brought to you by the award-winning creative team that includes 30 Rock’s Tina Fey, what better way to welcome September than a trip to North Shore High School? Arriving at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre in August, Cady and The Plastics will stick around until 5 September. So there’s still time for you to join the coolest clique in town. Starring Faye Tozer from STEPS, it would be a tragedy to miss the Queen Bee of musicals.
A$AP Rocky
3ARENA | 2 SEPTEMBER
Arriving with a bang in 2011, Rocky first burst onto the scene with the now-classic mixtape LIVE.LOVE.ASAP. Mixing New York grit and bravado with a southern twist, it was a sound the rap game hadn’t heard before. Now, 15 years in with multiple platinum plaques to his name, Pretty Flacko is still striving and prospering just like his A$AP moniker suggests. The Harlem hip-hop and fashion trailblazer plays his first Irish headline show at 3Arena on 2 September. So Don’t Be Dumb and don’t miss out.
The Waterboys
3ARENA | 5 SEPTEMBER
The Waterboys will help you beat those end-of-summer blues with…the blues. Performing under the banner ‘THE FISHERMAN’S BLUES REVUE’, The Waterboys celebrate the classic Fisherman’s era. The band will revisit the late 1980s period, with original fiddler Steve Wickham rejoining. Adding more star power on the night is the legendary singer/songwriter Steve Earle. The Guitar Town crooner will join the Revue, performing his own songs while lending vocals, guitar and mandolin to Waterboys’ tracks.
Riverdance
GAIETY THEATRE | GLENEAGLE ARENA | UNTIL 13 SEPTEMBER
30 years on, and the jig still isn’t up for Riverdance. Wowing audiences around the world since its inception, the global phenomenon has dazzled crowds from Beijing to Brussels to Boston. Now back at home, the production is currently captivating audiences at Dublin’s Gaiety Theatre until 6 September. The troupe will then hit the road for a 4-hour trip to Kerry for a run at Killarney’s Gleneagle Arena from 10 – 13 September.
Composed by Bill Whelan. Produced by Moya Doherty. Directed by John McColgan.
The Last Days of Dalymount
DALYMOUNT PARK | 10 – 13 SEPTEMBER
One last dance at Dalymount. Celebrating one of Ireland’s most iconic grounds, a smorgasbord of homegrown talent comes together to bid farewell to Dalymount Park before its grand redevelopment. From Pelé to Bob Marley, the Phibsborough landmark has played host to some iconic figures over the years. Now, before the red & black of Bohs make way for a new era, a stellar line-up will take over the stadium from 10 – 13 September.
Performers include:
- Annie Mac
- Carlos O’Connell, Conor Curley and Tom Coll of Fontaines D.C. (F.D.C. DJ set)
- John Francis Flynn
- Bricknasty
- Paul Page of Whipping Boy
- Brian Brannigan of A Lazarus Soul
- Gemma Dunleavy
- THEATRE
- Johnny Logan
Westlife
3ARENA | 10 – 26 SEPTEMBER
One of the world’s most successful boybands is celebrating their silver Anniversary in style, taking over Dublin’s 3Arena for a whopping 13 nights. By the time this tour wraps, the chart-topping collective will have headlined the venue an incredible 74 times, extending their record for the most shows by an act at the arena.
Expect all their greatest hits, fan favourites and a night packed front-to-back with undeniable pop classics. Fans in the North of Ireland need not worry; they’ll get their Westlife fix shortly after, with the group set for 7 nights at The O2 Belfast this October.
Leinster v Zebre
LAYA ARENA | 12 SEPTEMBER
Leinster Rugby begin an exciting new era as they take to the field at the newly redeveloped Laya Arena for the very first time. They welcome Italian outfit Zebre Parma as they gear up for the season ahead, with the friendly clash giving the Leinster faithful the first chance to catch a glimpse of their shiny new home.
The Irish heavyweights will look to christen their first season at their new fortress with some silverware for decoration. Leo Cullen and the lads will have their sights set on retaining their URC crown and going one step further in Europe after falling at the final hurdle last year.
WellFest
ORMEAU PARK | 12 & 13 SEPTEMBER
Dublin’s favourite fitness and wellness festival is heading north! Fresh from celebrating its 10th anniversary at IMMA at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Ireland and Europe’s largest outdoor fitness and wellness festival is making its Belfast debut.
Taking over Ormeau Park, a venue more accustomed to hosting some of the world’s biggest music stars, the two-day festival will bring a different kind of star power to the stage. Expect Irish and international health, wellness and fitness experts across five festival stages. Among the names getting Belfast moving are:
- Joe Wicks & Rosie Wicks
- Maeve Madden
- Rhys McClenaghan
- Owen O’Kane
- Ellen Keane
- Caroline Rouine O’Connor
- Richie Norton
- Crystal Main
- Don King Rongavilla
- Dr Rebekah Jade
- Glenn Wilkinson
- Kathryn McKinstry
- Carla McGreevy
- Finlay Thomas Wilson
- Vanessa Ogbonna
Up Close With Oprah Winfrey
3ARENA | 14 SEPTEMBER
Experience a rare opportunity to see one of the world’s most influential voices live in Ireland for the first time. ‘Up Close With Oprah Winfrey’ brings the icon to Dublin’s 3Arena for 1 night only. This special evening will explore the experiences, decisions, and principles behind Oprah’s extraordinary success — from leadership and resilience to personal growth, purpose, and achieving success in both life and business.
Hosted by David Meade, with a special musical performance from Niall “Bressie” Breslin.
Death Cab For Cutie
3OLYMPIA THEATRE | 16 & 17 SEPTEMBER
Returning in 2026 with their eleventh studio album, the critically acclaimed ‘I Built You A Tower’, the indie-rock icons have no plans to call it a day any time soon. The album’s lead single Riptide landed the band their 9th #1 on adult alternative radio, further solidifying them as a legacy act that refuses to go out of fashion. A testament to their staying power, DCFC are stopping off in Dublin for two nights at 3Olympia Theatre, with tickets limited for both dates.
The Girls Groupchat
THE O2 BELFAST | 18 SEPTEMBER
The group chat is ringing off this September, and Diona, Jordan, Shannon and Olivia have a lot to discuss. The award-winning podcast swaps Spotify (or wherever you get your podcasts) for the live stage once again after a sell-out at Waterfront Hall back in December 2025. Promising to be even bigger, bolder and better this time round, expect a Friday evening packed with the usual unfiltered gossip and side-splitting stories that fans of the pod have come to love.
Roy Keane in Conversation with Roddy Doyle
GLENEAGLE ARENA | 18 & 19 SEPTEMBER
An Irish football legend reunites with an Irish literary legend for their sit-down event that has taken the nation by storm. They may have gone down very different career paths, but one thing’s for sure, both men can tell a story. After selling out multiple nights in Dublin, Cork & Belfast, the duo are heading to Kerry. Manchester United’s former captain fantastic comes face-to-face with the man behind classics such as The Barrytown Trilogy, sharing stories and anecdotes from his remarkable career.
Belfast Giants Home Fixtures
THE O2 BELFAST | 19, 20 & 26 SEPTEMBER
Summer’s out, and things are starting to get icy. The Giants towered over their opponents last season, now the reigning Elite Hockey League champions return to The O2 Belfast to defend their crown. The fixtures come thick and fast for the men in teal, with a 2026/27 season opener against Dundee Stars, followed by back-to-back games with Fife Flyers at the back end of the month. Currently the only active professional hockey team on the island of Ireland, you won’t get action like this anywhere else.
Russell Howard
VICAR STREET | 26 & 27 September
Quadrupling up this September, Russell Howard hits the stage at Dublin’s Vicar Street for four shows with his new offering ‘Don’t Tell The Algorithm’. Tackling a topic that’s been covered countless times, nobody else can quite sum it up like Russell. With the tour already making its way across Britain, it has received rave reviews from fans on ticketmaster.co.uk:
I left with my face aching from laughing so much – easily one of the most enjoyable nights out I’ve had in a long time. If you ever get the chance to see him live, don’t hesitate – he’s absolutely brilliant. ★★★★★
So if you’re in Dublin this September and fancy a face ache, you know what to do.
Ella Mai
VICAR STREET | 29 SEPTEMBER
Is there a nicer way to bid farewell to September than with some smooth R&B to ease yourself into October? GRAMMY-winning songstress Ella Mai brings her sultry sounds to Dublin with the ‘Do You Still Love Me?’ tour, in support of her 2026 album. With the new album racking up almost 300 million streams on Spotify since its release, it’s clear that the answer is a resounding yes, the world still very much loves Ella Mai.
If somehow nothing above has caught your fancy, check out our Last Chance Guide for even more events that are happening in the very near future.
