Waterford’s Imagine Arts Festival has unveiled its 25th anniversary programme, with six days of events planned across the city next month.

The festival will run from October 20th to 25th under the theme In Memories We Grow, with performances, music, visual arts and heritage events taking place across a number of Waterford venues.

The programme was launched on Culture Night at Bank Lane, marking 25 years since the festival was founded in 2001.

Among this year’s highlights is the festival’s Artists in Residence programme, which will run entirely through Irish for the first time, featuring musician Síomha Brock and writer-performer Ciara Ní É.

Waterford artist Chris Falconer, working as Waiting Space, will also return as the festival’s commissioned artist with a new series of tape-based musical works titled What Persists.

Other events include circus and theatre performances, a 25th anniversary cabaret featuring Waterford talent, live music, visual arts exhibitions and heritage events across the city.

The festival will also include performances from the Esposito String Quartet, Paul Savage as Whozyerman?, and a citywide live music trail to close the programme on Sunday night.

Festival Director Sinéad Dunphy described this year’s programme as a celebration of both Waterford artists and new creative work.

Deputy Mayor Cllr. Jim D’Arcy said the festival has played an important role in supporting artists and bringing people into Waterford city centre over the past 25 years.

Tickets for Imagine Arts Festival 2026 are now on sale through the festival website.