Autumn Events in Westport 2026 Festivals, Music & Things to Do

Friday 4th September 2026 | 8.30pm
Westport Jazz Club at The Clew Bay | €15 on the door

Westport’s autumn music calendar gets underway with The Unforeseen at Westport Jazz Club on Friday, 4th September. The new band from BBC award-winning vocalist and songwriter Christine Tobin brings together Karen Street on piano accordion, Phil Robson on guitar and Dave Whitford on double bass.

Expect an eclectic evening of music ranging from original compositions to inventive interpretations of work by Astor Piazzolla, Bill Frisell, Henry Purcell, Milton Nascimento and Duke Ellington, alongside the beautiful Irish traditional song Cúirt Bhaile Nua. If you enjoy intimate live performances, this is a great reason to start your September in Westport.

More information here - Westport Jazz

Thursday 10th – Sunday 13th September 2026

The Westport Festival of Chamber Music returns from 10th to 13th September, bringing exceptional musicians from Ireland and around the world to perform in intimate venues across Westport. Established in 2013, the boutique festival has developed a special character of its own, with musicians spending time together in Westport before the performances, rehearsing, collaborating and developing the musical connections audiences experience on stage.

For visitors, it offers the opportunity to combine a few days exploring Westport with an outstanding programme of classical music. The festival atmosphere extends beyond the concert venues too, with visiting musicians becoming part of the town throughout the week. Whether you are a dedicated chamber music enthusiast or simply enjoy discovering something new, this is one of Westport’s standout cultural events of the autumn.

More information here - Westport Festival of Chamber Music

Friday 11th September 2026 | 8.30pm
Westport Jazz Club at The Clew Bay | €15 on the door

September’s jazz programme continues with an exciting international collaboration featuring Spanish pianist Abe Rábade, drummer Gonzalo del Val and acclaimed Irish bassist David Redmond. The trio brings together three highly experienced musicians for a performance centred on original compositions, contemporary jazz and musical improvisation.

With Rábade’s lyrical piano playing, Del Val’s distinctive rhythmic style and Redmond’s versatility on bass, the evening promises a creative and spontaneous meeting of musical styles. It is another opportunity to enjoy quality live jazz right in the heart of Westport.

More information here - Westport Jazz

Saturday 12th September, 11am–7pm & Sunday 13th September, 10am–4pm
Old Head Beach, Louisburgh

For something completely different, head towards the coast for Saltwater Sessions Clew Bay, an end-of-summer ocean festival taking place at beautiful Old Head Beach near Louisburgh. The weekend celebrates adventure, community and life beside the Atlantic, with paddleboarding at the centre of the programme.

There will be competitive SUP racing alongside more beginner-friendly paddling activities, as well as beach entertainment, food, live music and plenty of reasons to simply come along and enjoy the atmosphere. It is designed to appeal both to experienced paddlers and families or spectators looking for a lively weekend by the sea. The event also supports Achill Island RNLI, helping to raise funds for the charity’s lifesaving work.

With Croagh Patrick and Clew Bay providing the backdrop, Saltwater Sessions is a lovely opportunity to combine a Westport break with a day or weekend exploring the coastline.

More Information here - Salt Water Sessions

Friday 18th September 2026 | From 7pm until late
Maddens Bar & Westport Jazz Club at The Clew Bay | Free

Culture Night returns nationwide on Friday, 18th September, and in Westport the evening will include a celebration of local jazz and live music. Mayo Culture Night 2026 has been confirmed for Friday, 18th September.

Maddens Bar and Westport Jazz Club at The Clew Bay will welcome an array of jazz musicians for an evening of performances from 7pm until late. With free admission, it is a great opportunity to experience Westport’s thriving music scene and enjoy the town on one of Ireland’s biggest annual nights celebrating arts and culture.

More information here - Westport Jazz

Saturday 3rd October 2026

If autumn for you means walking boots, fresh air and mountain views, Hike West Fest deserves a place in the diary. Returning to Westport on 3rd October, the festival is organised by the team behind Westport Sea2Summit and Westport Marathon and is designed to make Mayo’s incredible hiking landscape accessible to different levels of experience.

Participants can choose between three routes: the Keenagh Loop for beginners, The Coffin Trail on Achill for intermediate hikers and Ben Gorm for advanced hikers. Guided by qualified and accredited mountain leaders, the hikes take approximately four to seven hours, with bus transfers from the Castlecourt Hotel included.

After a day exploring some of Mayo’s most dramatic scenery, hikers return to Westport with time to relax before sitting down together for a four-course evening meal followed by live entertainment. Those staying for the weekend can take things at a much gentler pace on Sunday, perhaps with a spa visit before heading home.

Following its first year, Hike West Fest was nominated for Irish Outdoor Experience of the Year 2025, adding another reason for outdoor enthusiasts to discover the event. Registration for the 2026 festival is now open.

More information here - Hike West Fest

Thursday 15th – Sunday 18th October 2026

October brings a change of pace as the Rolling Sun Book Festival once again turns Westport into a hub for literature, conversation and creativity. Running from 15th to 18th October, the festival has grown into one of Ireland’s distinctive literary gatherings, bringing writers, readers and audiences together against the backdrop of Clew Bay and Croagh Patrick.

Over the years, Rolling Sun has welcomed an impressive range of writers, actors, journalists, musicians and cultural figures, including Ruby Wax, Stephen Rea, Colum McCann, Paul Lynch and the late Robert Fisk. At its heart, however, the festival is about much more than individual names. It creates opportunities for conversations, ideas and storytelling to fill venues around Westport over a relaxed autumn weekend.

For book lovers, it is a great excuse to settle into Westport for a few days, enjoy the festival programme and leave some time for browsing the town, dining out and perhaps a crisp autumn walk between events.

More information here - Rolling Sun Book Festival

Thursday 29th October – Sunday 1st November 2026

Bringing October to a colourful close is Westival, Westport’s annual celebration of music, visual art, film, performance and creativity. The 2026 festival takes place from 29th October to 1st November, with Westport once again becoming a stage and canvas for artists, performers, audiences and the wider community.

What makes Westival particularly special is the way events and creative experiences become woven into the town itself. Collaboration and community are central to the festival, creating a programme that encourages visitors to explore, discover new work and experience familiar Westport spaces in a different way.

Whether your interests lie in live music, visual art, theatre, film or simply being part of a lively festival atmosphere, Westival offers a fitting finale to a packed autumn of events.

More information here - Westival

Autumn in Westport brings a completely different rhythm to the town. The summer crowds begin to ease, the landscape changes colour and a busy programme of festivals and events in Westport gives visitors plenty of reasons to plan a September or October getaway.

You could spend a weekend enjoying jazz and chamber music, combine a coastal break with Saltwater Sessions, take on a new challenge at Hike West Fest or settle in for a few days of books, arts and culture at Rolling Sun or Westival.

Add in Westport’s restaurants, pubs, shops, scenic walks and spectacular surrounding countryside and there is plenty to turn an event into a full autumn break.

So pick your weekend, make Westport your base and discover just how much there is happening this autumn