All Shucked Up
Dublin | Friday 27th Feb - Sunday 1st March

All Shucked Up returns to Howth for a weekend of oysters, live music and coastal celebrations across the village and on Howth Hill. More than 25 free gigs and sessions take place in venues including The Harbour Bar, McNeill’s, Wrights Findlater, O’Connells and The Bloody Stream, covering acoustic, jazz, rhythm and blues, bluegrass and rock.

Headline performances include Leslie & Flo present Natural Women at The Abbey Tavern on Friday, multi-platinum artist Betty Boo at The Summit Inn on Saturday and Jack Lukeman closing the weekend at The Abbey Tavern on Sunday. Alongside the music, visitors can enjoy oyster masterclasses, shucking championships and family-friendly coastal foraging, with restaurants and bars throughout Howth serving local seafood and festival specials.

Engineers Week
Ireland | Until March 8th

Engineers Week brings a range of family-friendly events across the country, giving children the chance to explore science, design and problem solving through hands-on activities.

In Kilkenny, Castlecomer Discovery Park hosts a two-hour STEM workshop for ages 9 to 12, where participants tackle engineering challenges before taking on the Octagon High Ropes Course. Dublin’s National Print Museum runs a live demonstration event for all ages, showcasing historic printing technology, while Cork’s Old Cork Waterworks Experience hosts a free Family Open Day with interactive stands and activities. At Engineers Ireland in Ballsbridge, pre-booked sessions include LEGO engineering workshops for younger children, practical building challenges, a live robotics demo with Phi-do the Robot Dog and Scientific Sue’s energetic Crazy Weather Show.

Bowie Festival
Dublin | Friday 27th Feb - Sunday 1st March

The Dublin Bowie Festival continues across the weekend with a packed programme of live music, talks and exhibitions celebrating David Bowie’s legacy. Concert highlights include Bowie’s Golden Years at Whelan’s and Opium, featuring performances from musicians closely associated with Bowie’s work, alongside tribute acts and singalong sessions. Rathfarnham Castle hosts Bowie Unframed, a free photographic exhibition running Wednesday to Sunday, offering a quieter daytime option suitable for older children and teens interested in music history and photography.

While the core events are aimed at adult fans, families with older children can attend the daytime talks, exhibitions and discussion panels together, making it a cultural option for music-loving households over the mid-term weekend.

Dublin International Film Festival
Dublin | Friday 27th Feb - Sunday 1st March

Dublin International Film Festival concludes this weekend with a mix of screenings and special events that suit families with older children and teens who enjoy film and animation. As part of the programme, When The Wind Blows screens in 35mm at Light House Cinema on Sunday afternoon, offering a chance to see Jimmy T. Murakami’s powerful animated classic on the big screen. A follow-on discussion celebrating Murakami’s work takes place afterwards, reflecting on his influence on Irish animation.

For something more active, families can also join Runtime With DIFF at Dublin Port, a guided conversational morning run along the Dublin Port Greenway. Designed to bring filmmakers and audiences together in a relaxed setting, it offers a different way to experience the festival while taking in one of the city’s most striking waterfront routes.

Dublin Card Show
Dublin | Saturday, 28th February

The Dublin Card Show returns to the Convention Centre Dublin for its third year, bringing collectors, traders and fans together for Ireland’s largest trading card event. From Pokémon and Topps Premier League to vintage sports cards and modern releases, the show covers a wide range of interests across the hobby.

Set in the spacious Convention Center, the event welcomes families, young collectors and serious enthusiasts alike. With vendors travelling from Ireland and abroad, plus food and drink available on site, it offers a lively day out in the heart of Dublin for anyone curious about the world of trading cards.

National Museums of Ireland
Dublin | Saturday, 28th February

Families can drop into the Discovery Zone at the Dead Zoo Lab in Collins Barracks on Saturday morning from 11am to 1pm for a hands-on natural history session focused on Marvellous Minerals. Children can handle real and replica fossils, minerals and bones, chat with a Museum Educator and take part in a short creative activity inspired by the collections. No booking is required and the informal format makes it easy to join at any point.

Later in the afternoon, free public tours continue at 2pm and 3.30pm, including From Revolution to Repeal: An Introduction to Changing Ireland and Sliotars, Sashes and Symbols: Shaping Irish Identity. Tours begin in Reception and are offered on a first-come basis, making this a relaxed and educational Saturday option for families exploring Dublin.