The Wexford Spiegeltent Festival 2025 kicks off on Wexford Quay today, Wednesday 16th October and runs until Saturday 1st November.
Now in its fourteenth year, the festival has become one of Ireland’s most distinctive and atmospheric live events — staged in one of the world’s last remaining original Spiegeltents (meaning “mirror tent”). Handcrafted from wood, mirrors, velvet, and brocade, Spiegeltents date back to early 20th-century Belgium, where they travelled from town to town hosting music, dance and theatre. Their mirrored walls, ornate booths and circular design create a uniquely intimate space that has captivated audiences for generations. As The Irish Times once noted, “Their circular shape and discreet booths created a sense of intimacy that lent the tents a reputation for debauchery that persists to this day.”
This year’s performances take place in The Fortuna — the largest Spiegeltent still in operation anywhere in the world. Returning to Wexford’s scenic quay front, The Fortuna brings with it a century of history, craftsmanship and stories from its travels across the globe.
Music, Comedy and Magic Under Canvas
Event organisers Lantern have lined up an exceptional programme for the fourteenth edition of what has become a jewel in Wexford’s annual cultural calendar.
Over the coming 17 nights, spanning three weekends, audiences can expect world-class music, comedy, and performance in one of the most atmospheric venues in Ireland. Music highlights include The Coronas, Dan McCabe, Lyra, Bell X1, Lisa Hannigan, Paul Brady, Mick Flannery & Susan O’Neill, and rising Wexford star Ruben Buggy, who headlines his first major show.
Rock fans can look forward to The Stunning and Qween, while folk and trad lovers can enjoy Sharon Shannon and her Big Band, joined by Steve Earle, Mundy, Camille O’Sullivan and Liam Ó Maonlaí.
Comedy takes centre stage with Jack Dee, Dylan Moran, Neil Delamere and Jarlath Regan, while The Daily Dilemma Uncensored Live promises a raucous night of conversation, drag and DJs. For families, OTT Wrestling’s Halloween Slam returns on the Bank Holiday Monday with its trademark mix of humour and high-flying action.
Sustainability and Innovation
Also returning this year is Lantern’s Cup Deposit Return Scheme, part of the festival’s commitment to sustainability and its Leave No Trace ethos.
At last year’s event, refuse was drastically reduced and an estimated 85,000 single-use plastics were eliminated through initiatives including:
Avoiding the use of 65,000 single-use cups through a deposit return scheme
Replacing 15,000 plastic straws with paper alternatives
Using 5,000 biodegradable cup holders made from moulded pulp
These practices are now being rolled out across Lantern’s wider events portfolio, including Live at the Breakwater, eliminating more than 155,000 single-use plastics to date.
Programme and Tickets
With many performances already sold out, limited tickets remain at wexfordspiegeltent.com.
With a line-up that spans Irish rock, trad, folk, comedy and performance — all under the shimmering mirrors of The Fortuna — Wexford Spiegeltent Festival 2025 promises another unforgettable festival on the quay.
Thursday 16th October, Jarlath Regan – sold out
Friday 17th October, Dan McCabe – sold out
Saturday 18th October, Daily Dilemma Uncensored Live – sold out
Saturday 18th October, The Stunning
Thursday 23rd October, The Sharon Shannon Big Band with Steve Earle and Guests
Friday 24th October, Jack Dee
Saturday 25th October, Lisa Hannigan
Sunday 26th October, Bell X1 – sold out
Sunday 26th October and Sunday 1st November, Qween and Dublin Gospel Choir – sold out
Monday 27th October, OTT Wrestling
Thursday 30th October, Mick Flanney and Susan O’Neill
Thursday 30th October, Ruben Buggy – sold out
Friday 31st October, Paul Brady – sold out
Friday 31st October, Lyra
Saturday 1st November, Neil Delamere – sold out
Photo credit – press photo