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Closed: Strategic Tourism Festival Investment Scheme 2026 to 2028

Applications are now closed. Find out how this funding scheme supports established tourism festivals to attract visitors, grow regional impact and strengthen Ireland's off-peak tourism offer.

View guidelines(Opens in new window)
Application statusClosed
Key informationApplications are currently closed. Use the guidelines to prepare for a future intake.
CommitmentA two-stage application, supporting documentation, and annual reporting if funded
Value of support€20,000 to €200,000 per annum
State aidApplicableWhat is this?

The Strategic Tourism Festival Investment Scheme

A multi-annual fund for eligible festivals that promote tourism in Ireland.

  • Supporting festivalsIt supports cultural, heritage, and participative tourism festivals that can attract domestic and international visitors.
  • Strengthening tourismFunded festivals are expected to help extend visitor stays, increase visitor spend, and strengthen tourism across the regions.
  • Prepare for the futureThe scheme is currently closed, but you can use the guidelines to prepare for future application windows.
View guidelines(Opens in new window)

What does the scheme support?

The Strategic Tourism Festival Investment Scheme supports festivals that can deliver strong tourism value for Ireland. Funded festivals are expected to attract domestic and international visitors, increase dwell time and spend in the host destination, support regional tourism growth and help extend the tourism season beyond peak periods.

The scheme is designed for festivals with a clear tourism focus. It supports festivals that showcase Ireland’s culture, heritage, places, and communities in ways that encourage visitors to travel now and stay longer.

    Who is the scheme for?

    The scheme is for eligible festival organisers with the ambition, track record and capacity to grow tourism impact.

    Eligible applicant types may include:

    • Local authorities working in partnership with event organisers
    • Private companies
    • Private individuals
    • Other legal entities in the private sector
    • Community groups
    • Charities.

      What kind of festivals are eligible?

      Tourism festival

      A tourism festival is a themed programme of individual events that represents the destination, culture, and heritage of a place. It must run for at least two consecutive days and have the potential to create economic benefit for the wider area. A tourism festival must be designed to attract domestic and international visitors, as well as local attendees. It must also be able to deliver against agreed Fáilte Ireland key performance indicators.

      Participative tourism festival

      A participative tourism festival is an organised event where people take part in, or support, outdoor recreational activities such as trail running or swimming.

      Funding supports festival animation and activation, including extended programming, live entertainment, concessions, and market stalls that encourage longer stays.

      It does not cover operational costs related to the activity itself, such as licensing, stewarding, or health and safety.

      Festival and event types not eligible for the scheme

      Examples of ineligible events include:

      • Agricultural shows
      • Amusement parks; mobile or fixed
      • Business events, including exhibitions and conferences
      • Charitable events
      • Christmas markets and ice rinks
      • Circuses
      • Community events, including fairs
      • Dedicated markets, including food or craft markets
      • Once-off events
      • Sporting matches, including rugby, football and GAA matches
      • Symposiums
      • Trade shows.

        Minimum requirements to apply

        Applicants must meet the scheme requirements before they can be considered.

        • Eligible festival categoryYour festival must qualify as either a tourism festival or a participative tourism festival.
        • Dedicated website and digital channelsYou must be able to show that your festival has its own website and digital channels.
        • Three years in operationYour festival must have operated for at least three years.
        • Two consecutive days of programmingYour festival programme must run for at least two consecutive days.
        View guidance

        Thinking of applying in the future?

        Visit the eligibility and application guidelines page to help prepare your future application.

        View guidelines