Kaleidoscope Festival Fare Wows The Crowds At Russborough House

Sequins, soundtracks & smiles: Kaleidoscope presented by Glenveagh marked its 5th birthday in spectacular house-party style at Wicklow’s Russborough House

Thousands of people took in Ireland’s Biggest Summer Family Festival at Kaleidoscope which marked its fifth birthday at Wicklow’s Russborough House

The Blessington venue was transformed as Kaleidoscope celebrated with the highest number of attendees to date.

Thousands of festival-goers of all ages descended on the venue for the three day family festival, with campers and day trippers treated to over 40 hours of live music performances from global stars and home-grown talent, hands-on family activities and shows and much more across 15 festival areas and stages. 

Weekend headliners including the legendary Scottish rockers Texas, Ocean Colour Scene and The Coronas drew packed crowds to the main stage, while Allie Sherlock, The Riptide Movement, Hermitage Green, and The Jerry Fish Electric Sideshow all added to the star power throughout the three day festival.

Jerry Fish led the crowd in a full festival sing-along of “Happy Birthday” to mark the milestone moment on Sunday afternoon.

The family music festival fully embraced its house party theme, as music lovers of all ages danced through the decades to disco anthems, throwback hits, supersized trad sessions and stunning tribute performances.

The Zozimus music stage became the festival’s dancefloor all weekend long, with sequinned crowds singing at the top of their lungs to ABBAesque, grooving to the Daft Punk Tribute, and head-banging with The Year Grunge Broke. DJ Kelly-Anne Byrne and Love Sensation lit up the evening with disco-charged sets, while These Charming Men and The Irish House Party brought classic indie rock and trad energy into the mix.

Beyond the music, families immersed themselves in over ten jam-packed family areas and stages, from science experiments with Mark The Science Guy, awe-inspiring fire acts by Fierce Fire Show, illustration workshops with Steve Simpson, and baby rave parties with Move with Carla.

Budding foodies rolled up their sleeves at the Scrumdiddlyumptious Festival of Food, while little adventurers delved into the wild wonders of The National Reptile Zoo. Young stars also took the spotlight, with appearances from 11-year-old DJ Seán M, 15-year-old Toy Show alum DJ Calum Kieran, and 7-year-old social media sensation Jacob Robinson, making their festival debuts to roaring support.

Shell Holden, head of marketing at Kaleidoscope presented by Glenveagh, commented:

“This year, we wanted to do something truly special to celebrate our fifth birthday, and what better way than by hosting Ireland’s biggest ever family house party! From ABBA singalongs and Daft Punk throwbacks to foot-stomping trad sessions and indie anthems, our family festival was filled with energy from start to finish. But the magic didn’t stop at the stage, it was in every moment shared on the dance floor, every burst of laughter in the crowd, and every family who dressed to the nines in sequins and superstar style. From tiny tots discovering circus for the first time, to parents dancing their hearts out to their favourite 80s and 90s hits, to moments shared between generations, this weekend set the bar high for summer memories.”