This is the biggest festival of the year in Waterford, a city that plays host to several excellent events each year. From the beginning a feature of Spraoi (meaning ‘fun’) has been the large number of events which are free, there is no entrance charge for the vast majority of events.
Almost all of the action takes place on the streets and if you are visiting Waterford during Sproai you won’t have to go looking for it – it’ll find you, it’s everywhere. It certainly lives up to it’s billing as a festival of street theatre.
The rather wonderfully named SprÓg (óg is Irish for young) is a children’s festival running alongside the main event, with a fantastic programme of arts and science themed activities, as well as a number of street events. As well as street spectacle there is loads of music, much of it taking place along the quay in Waterford’s city centre.
The opening parade on Friday night is justly famous, with upwards of 40,000 people lining a 1.5km route through the city to watch hundreds of costumed performers, exotic floats, live music and special-effects that takes at least three months to prepare. Spectacular is an appropriate word here. After the parade hang around for an always great fireworks display.
Date and details for 2024 subject to confirmation.
Spraoi
Welcome to Spraoi, award winning, professional street arts company
Spraoi Productions Spraoi is best known for its annual Spraoi International Street Arts Festival. Spraoi is also active throughout each year as a producer of high-quality spectacle events. The company is regularly commissioned to create spectacle attractions for festivals and events throughout Ireland. During 2023 Spraoi productions were seen by large audiences in Clonmel,
The post Spraoi Pro...
Southern Regional Assembly partners the 2023 edition of Street Talk at Spraoi International Street Arts Festival. Street Talk is a seminar featuring topics of common interest for Irish and European street arts practitioners. In addition to being a major public event, Spraoi International Street Arts Festival showcases Irish artists to international festivals.
The post Symmetry Circus Spraoi Res...
Volunteers of all ages and backgrounds are a lifeforce of Spraoi International Street Arts Festival. Spraoi volunteers ensure the event runs smoothly, assist visiting artists, act as ambassadors for Waterford, and are good fun to be around. Volunteering Ireland has shortlisted Spraoi volunteer Rhys Wallace as one of Ireland’s Volunteers of The Year. Winners will
The post Volunteer Of The Year N...
Here’s a look at some of the action from 2013 to give you an idea of what to expect, though obviously there are different performers each year:
Visitor Information and Map for Spraoi
No particular venue information is needed – esentially just show up in Waterford, wander around and enjoy! Some children’s events do need prior booking however – see website for details.
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