The streets of Waterford are set to come alive today as the 2026 Spraoi International Street Arts Festival officially gets underway.

Thousands of visitors are expected to descend on the city over the August Bank Holiday weekend as three days of street theatre, live music, circus performances and family entertainment begin.

This year’s festival runs from Friday until Sunday, transforming Waterford’s historic streets into a giant outdoor stage with performers travelling from Ireland and across Europe to take part.

Audiences can expect everything from acrobatics and comedy to interactive performances, alongside a packed music programme throughout the weekend.

Among the highlights will be the Spraoi Parade and fireworks display on Sunday evening, while a new-look music programme on O’Connell Street and continuous entertainment across the city centre will keep festivalgoers busy throughout the weekend.

Festival organisers say Spraoi is also an important international showcase, with festival directors and programmers from across Europe visiting Waterford to discover Irish talent and build cultural links for future events.

Founded in 1993, Spraoi has grown into one of Ireland’s premier street arts festivals, attracting tens of thousands of visitors annually and providing a significant boost for local businesses, hospitality providers and tourism across the city.

A full programme of events is available on the Spraoi website.